New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-14
HOW SELEGOTERNMENT FORKS.

The events of the last week have exhibited
in "a s.Iong light some of the best and some OF the
worst traits Of this great city. Splendid dcVo-
ton and herosm were 50 manifested at the Hotel
ROYAL fire that oven in Europe tributes were
Paid by public journals to the brave men VINO
risked their lives in the discharge Of their duty
Yet at the same fire the shameful bad faith and
unworthness of certain officials were shown TO
the disgrace of the CITY in which such Building
Inspectors are possible. 1t does not help the
reputation Of New York that one inspector was
dismissed and another was promptly suspended
as soon as the disaster had brought to light the
neglect of duty of which they seemed to have
been guilty. civilized city maintains at great
public cost body of officials for the purpose OF
preventing disease, loss Of life. or crime, and 1t
is painful indeed to find that for such service men
are chosen who deliberately neglect it or make
false reports about it, and still moro painful to
fnd that many great structures in this city, which
are crowded with people every night, are not
even now better supplied with fc-saylng appa-
latlb than the Hotel Royal was. If the defect
here is in the law, one would suppose that the
PEOPLE of this city and State would not find 1t
difficult to have the law set right without delay
Again. the energetic and devoted efforts OF
the Health officers to suppress threatened cpl
demic of typhus fever shows that the health OF
the city is guarded by men who are watchfu
able. and not afraid to assume serious response
bities in any emergency. But even while great
credit is awarded to them, the government OF the
pecple is again exhibited III quts ionablo light
when it is affirmed that the peSt1ence was intro
duced by the neglect or incompetence OF some
officer or officers at Quarantine. The State au-
thorities have entire control OF the quarantine
at this port, and if officials or subordinates III
that service are not thoroughly competent or
faithful. the very purpose for which the whole
establishment exists is liable to be defeated To
what extent the passing OF Infected Immigrants
was due II misrcpre sensations, or to errors which
q reasonable vigilance would not have prevented
il NAV be the province of official examination 10
determine hereafter. But the public has a right
10 feel that it was not in this instance efficiently
and well served at the Quarantine, even as It
may congratulate itself upon the devoted zeal
and fidelity which have since been shown by the
Board of Health.
Government that never falls short in the dis
charge of It's duty is not often found among men.
In other countries and under other forms OF
government, even UHOuEh Idl bioiO AAS4u "ioSi
pline is often maintained and greater care is
often taken in the selection and promotion Of
subordnates and officials, instances OF gross Off
cial neglect or misconduct are not rare and fire.
ouenty have resulted in terrible disasters and
losses Government by the people in this coln-
try has its defects, it may be frankly admitted.
But there is much room to doubt whether more
frequently than other forms of government, 1t
exposes the people to any danger Or disaster
through official ncapacity or infdeliy. On the
other hand since every right minded official Or
employe is trained to realize that he is only an
agent and servant Of the public, and that the
government is his own personal affair, as II IS
that of every other citizen, he is apt TO de-
velop a zeal and energy and spirit Of un-
selfish devotion for the common good and the
common honor which are more rarely seen in
public service elsewhere.