New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-29
PLUNKITT IND THE SUPEKFISOho.

IL is safe to say that from one point OF view
there hasn't been heater, swceter. completer
little bill introduced in the Legislature this
wear than one which Senator Plunkitt has just
proposed. Moreover. there was peculiar pro-
pnety in his choice OF moment for bringing
it in. 1t was on Monday night. Just before
the Senate proceeded to pay final tribute OF
respect to the memory of the late Senator
Hagan, that Mr.. Plunkitt embelllshed the
calendar with this measure. 1t is brlef com
pact and full of consolation for those to whom
it applies 1t authorizes the payment OF sal
ary of 81, 900 each to the Aldermen OF this
city as a recompense for their labors as super
yisors of New-York County. Arduous labors,
of course, and responsible; delicate, too, ana
altogether worthy of exemplary remuneration.
Who can doubt it? The very name OF super
visor is suggestive of gravity and care ana
sacacty and every other stateSmanhke quality.
Let us consider, for a moment, what the dntics
of a New-York County Supervisor are.
Everybody knows what an Alderman OF New
York has to do: how solemn his obligations
are; how assiduous and indispensable is his
guardianship of the colossal interests OF this
imperial city how long his hours are, how few
cites and labors. But there may be few i'll
informed and undescrying citizens who are not
aware of the additional, special and almost IN
tolerable burdens which are imposed upon MN
when he is serving the community, not as an
Alderman, but as a Supervisor. IT Is IN that
capacity that he staggers under load which
hitherto he has been compelled to bear without
other reward than AZ approving conscience
1t is as Supervisor that he canvasses the votes
the snowtakes as the beautiful smile OF an
ingenious poet has described them-of his fel.
low citizens. Their responsibility for the bless
incs of liberty ends at the baot-boxes. HIS
does not cease until about eleven days after
the election. During the first seven OF these
he is engaged in prayerful consideration OF the
task before him. in Christening and purifying
his spirit, and lifting himself up to the plume
upon which alone it is fitting that such sacred
function should be approached The ensuing
four DAYS are consecrated to the actual accom-
plishment of the work which the law has laid
upon him.
1t is impossible to exaggerate the devotion
with which our Supervisors discharge this
solemn obligation. They consider every ele-
mont in the situation and provide for every con-
tingency. They are aware that this mortal
state is uncertain. that the human frame Is
fral and the intellect at best an Imperfect
instrument. Taking into account the posi-
bility of collapse, they decree that only three
of their number shall be required to attend at
any one time in order that the rest may hus-
band and recruit their energies. Nay, more
inas,nuch as an inscrrtable Providence has de-
barred large majority OF them from the
felicity of reading the English language save
in hating and laborious manner, 1t Is their
custom to award to tho minority not thus in
capacitated and afflicted the distinction OF com
pairing the returns thereby not only promoting
the prompt and accurate performance OF their
duty, but also bowling to the will OF Heaven
in an humble and truly pathetic manner. by
this unseltish and altogether high-mnded act
of obedience and conservation they are enabled
TO COMPLETE their labors in about four days.
whercupon they lay aside without murmur
their sublime character of Supervisors, hitherto
unrecognized in any substantial manner by the
city treasury and resume the complicated but
less ilustriOus and solemn functions OF Alder
men at the paltry salary OF SO, 900 per annlm.
If any citizen of New-York can listen to this
simple recital without shame and indignation
at the parsimony which it exposes lot him stand
forth and say so. II any member OF the Legis-
lature can think without pang OF these four
days of agony and self-renunciation we hope
that he will have the moral courage to be con-
sistcnt and vote against Senator Plunkitts bill.
If we are to be forced to blush whenever we
look Supervisor in the face we ought at least
to be permitted to put the responsibility where
it belongs.