New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-22
I MISMANAGED DEPARTMENT.

The Board Of Estimate and AppOrtonmcnt
ha, been applying a sharp probe to the opera
tons Of the Department of Charities and Cor
rccion and there are few. if any, departments
in the CITY government which need thorough
investigation mole. Favored Tammany con-
tractors have made fortunes out of furnishing
supplies for the charitable and penal lnStltu-
tons The members Of the Charities Board
have for wears shown extreme partisanShlp, and
have miSuScd their powers and opportunities
for the benefit of the Democratic machine in
this city. Tammany ward hcclerS have been
quarte.ed upon Charity Hospital and upon
various other institutions a. clerks. keepers,
assistants u wardcnS and subOrdinatcS on the
Dav-rOls Of the great structures on Blackwell ;
Island and elsewhere. The methods Of the
DEPARTMENT have been brutazcd and degraded
by the employment Of ruilians who have been
raid in this way for their political services.
Two of the Commissioners, Mr.. Shechy and DR..
Simmons, were put under arrest before the
election for the plainost and grOsscst violation
Of law. The Board had ordered that public
paupcrs, for whom the city provided food and
clothing. as it does for all paupcrs, men who
were not employees of the city, but bcneiciaries
of its bounty should be put on the pay-rolls, in
order that they might be driven in droycs 10
the polling places to register and to vote for
Tammany Hal. Thi, outrage on law, order
and public deccncy was committed under the
advice OF Il Tammany lawyer.
The Department of Charities and Correction
has long been notorious as place OF refuge for
the discrediled hangcIs-On Of Tammany Hail..
The Tammany leaders have insisted upon filling
subordinate places 70 which men OF experience
and ability men of kindly, patient and symra-
thctic dispositions should have been appointed,
with the rudcst and toughest Of clcctondis-
trict workers There is need OF u thorough
scubbing ard cleansing of this department.
Unfortunately there is no hope that it will be
purified while Tammany has the asccndancy.
President Barker of the Tax Department de-
serves the thanks and approval of public
spirited citizens for the position which he has
taken in the Board of Estimate and Apportion-
mcnt. That position is one Of uncompromISing
hostility 10 the abuses the mSmanagcmcnt and
The waStefulncs, that have been 50 conspicuous
in the Department of Charities and Correction
and in other departments. Under his search
ing questions the COmmis sionors were compelled
TO admit that special favors had been shown t.
certain people because of political pressure.
There is every reason to believe that President
Barker will continue his admirable efforts in
the public interest, and that at every session
Of the Beard of Estimate and Apportonment
he will apply himself with energy and zeal to
the task Of protecting the taxpayers. and to
securing so far as lies in his power, the honest
and efficient management OF the municipal de-
par;ments. Mayor-elcct Gi!f-y will have mag
nificent opportunities to improve the municipal
administration when he comes into Office The
terms Of many city Officials who hold places Of