New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-28
PROSPECT OF CLEAN STREETS

New York has a fair prospect of clean streets.
The Mayors early approval of the bill prepared
on the lines Of the report made by his AdVSoiI
Committee has been strengthened and confirmed
Inv examination and consultation, and at the
conference on Thursday it was practically agreed
that the bill untouched except As to few OF
IFS subsidiary provisions should be strongly sup
ported at Albany by the local government. This
will probably insure its passage, and therefore
now. for the first time i'll its history tins Gt!
NAV reasonably anticipate the advent OF new
standard and state of cleanliness. For this happy
prospect gratitude is due to the publlc-splnted
citizens who have expended time and labor IN
the service of the community.
The theory of the proposed reform is that the
cleaning of the streets is an immense task OF the
first importance. and that it can be accomplished
only by a trained forco specially organized
cnuippcd. maintained and recruited for the pur-
pose. The principle behind thia theory Is not
novel. except in is application to a great branch
of municipal administration which has hitherto
been shamefully msmanagcd. On the contrary
il is almost as old as the race. It's enforcement
on large scale or small, according to circum-
stances, has always been the foundation OF sue
cess in public and private affairs. <nd always
will be- In one branch of the city government
il has vindicaed lis efficiency to the admiration
of all men. The Fire Department Is SHINING
illustration of the way in which thing worth
doing ought to he done and il is strange that
this lcaven, constantly and openly at work has
not lcavencd the whole municipal lump. i might
have been supposed that a majority OF citizens
would long ago have demanded an equal degree
Of skill and fidelity in the performance OF the
r6;St of their common business. Ii may be tha'
the leayen has been slowly fulfilling It's once
and that its influence is TO be detected IN this
latest effort al reform.
Il is minated that though there is no trace
Of politics in the proposed law political consld-
cratons are nevertheless taken into account 10y
the Mayor and his advisers in giving 1t their
support That is to say, they realize that the
Democratic party in this state dominated u!
Tammany. is in urgent need Of some elements
of strength which Tamany cannot supply.
And so they reason that they can
profitably appropriate the credit Tor
measure which is pretty certain 70 he pep
ular in operation, and take the chances Of losing
some part of the patronage and prohts Whlch
accrue 10 Tammany under the present system.
Surprising this TO be their motive, 1t does not
constitute n valid reason for refusing 10 rejoice
in tho prospect Of a substantial improvement in
the condition Of the streets and above all IN the
Introduction of a rational system Of strect-clean-
ing. II is impossible to believe thai the com
uuinity will not gain much in health and com
fort and prosperity in consequence OF the passage
Of the bill drafted by Mr. Carter. II it is good
r,r Tan "A lis massage n :
also, so far as it goes, good government, and
that is an advance which we certainly shall not
obstrIct or discountcnance