New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-14

much remains to be done. II there is any good
reason why the Republicans Of New-York should
hesitate In 1895 to complete what they began In
1884 II Is difficult TO divine them.
LAST FALLS UNION
The objects and purposes for which the COM
bination was made last fall very clearly set
forth in the platform Of the Committee Of Seventy
and 1t should not be forgotten that this platform
was formally adopted by the Republican County
Convention. and that II remains to-day the
thortative expression of the party TO it's policy
in city affairs There was no suggestion OF par
tisanship in It, or OF party advantage to be gained
by II, but 1t was a straightforward. manly asser
ton Of the principle that questions Of National
and State politics have proper place in purely
municipal affairs. This action Of the party was
substantially ratification In advance OF the
amendment to the Constitution adopted last fall.
which provides for the separation OF municipal
from other elections; and the convention. which
was presided over by distinguished fellow
citizen, Mr.. Choate. is entitled to the thanks Of
every good citizen for recommending its adoption
by the people.
1t is not necessary now 10 go into details as TO
what that platform called for as its main feat
ures are well understood. Among the chief ones.
however. were demands for clean streets. In
creased school facilities more and better parks.
an improved water supply intelligent and hon
est enforcement OF all laws 1t dealt with those
subjects in which the citizens and residents OF this
city are primarily and vitality interested In other
words the platform which the party adopted was
distinct declaration that our municipal cor
poration should be governed exactly as other cor
poratons are or should be. for the benefit OF all
the stockholders-the stockholders in this par
ticular instance being the people Of the City OF
New-York The platform absolutely silent
as to who should have the offices in the event or
the success Of the ticket-non- partisanshlp was
distinctly affirmed and approved in this Repuoh-
can platform. and Of course there was nothing
said about National issues. about tarln or Tree
trade. a single or double standard OF Naue'
The whole canvass was based upon the theory
that as Tammany Hall stood in the way OF these
essential city issues Tammany Hall was to be de-
stroyed The platform was one Of principle not
Of expediency-it was for all time. and not Tor a
single election and in accepting 1t the Repuoh-
can party was simply true to its best TRADITIONS
and living up to its oft-repeated pledges. II this
statement is correct il will be difficult TO see now
the party can now. with any degree Of consistency
insist upon action that must Of necessity result
in the triumph Of Tammany Hall at the election
next November.
NEW ERA IN CITY GOVERNMENT.
The reforms which have been started in the
various departments and the success 50 far al
tained in promoting them. would seem Of them
selves to warrant continuance Of municipal adj
ininistraton on non-partisan Lines
WIDE SCOPE OF PUBLIC WORKS
One Of the most important. and in many re-
spects the most important department. Is that OF
the Public Works. whose Commissioner admins
tiers five separate and distinct bureaus. any one
Of which is OF sufficient Importance in Itself 10
require at its head d man Of business training
accustomed to the control Of suo)rdlhates. Inc
entire system Of the collection ard distribution Of
the water supply for two millions OF people Is
in his hands The lighting by gas or electricity
Of every avenue. street and alleyWay Is MS also
He Is responsible for the paving. repaving and
repairing Of miles Of streets. He constructs all
new sewers and cleans and repairs those already
in use He regulates and grades all new public
rboroughfares He erects and repairs all pubic
buildings excepting schools and station-houses,
and furnishes them.
Thus he has control Of the water, lighting hlgh-
way. sewer grading and public building depart
ments which in many other cities are organized
as separate departments. The Public Works De-
partment. therefore. presents a remarkably VIDE
ae,d for a man - executive ability. and affords
opportunity for improvement and individual com
mendation. Time only VIII demonstrate me I'M
provement The rigid enforcement Of sumptu-
arv law attracts attention to the Police Depart
ment: the application Of ordinary business meth
DDS and the exactior Of a days work for DAY :
nav instantly produces clean streets; but better
pavements, larger revenues, reduced expendl-
lures enforcement of contracts. and the employ
ment II integrity and skill to replace political IN
auence though they may not furnish a topic for
III fell ~
run.
The Commissioner of Public Works is largely
denendent upon his inspectors for the reputation
bs shall make i'm mis- Office. II these men are dis
honest or incompetent no personal Effort or con
scientious administration II his duties can avert
censure and failure
Such positions in times past have been bestowed
upon political favorites VINO unoiushingly con-
nived al fraud or neglected every other duty IMAM
that Of drawing their pay Upon no other theory
can the disgraceful condition Of the public nigh
WAYS as We found them in February last be ac-
counted for. The gas companies and other cor
porations tore up miles Of streets at all seasons
Of the year. and permitted their contractors to
replace the pavement in any manner that salts
6edo the inspector Surface railway companies
laid rails Of such shape as 10 exclude all other
traffic therefrom than their own. The use Of the
publc roadway beneath the surface was surren-
dered for vault purposes u every man VINO mad
sufficient political pull COR its equvalenp. Piles
OF old brick eight and ten feet high. blocked the
carr,aeeway IN every street. and remained there
for months until required for the new building,
ar until sold to some other contractor sign posts.
bav windows. awnings theatre DIS ana other
interdicted nuisances were permitted 10 interfere
with the free passage Of the citizen on the over
crowded sidewalks. Thirty -one thousand busl-
ness men who obeyed law enacted twenty-three
Years ago supplied themselves with water meters.
while as many more who useful around
election time" were exempt. But all TINS is ~"
changed
Asphalt paving was paid for at price which
has been reduced nearly 10 per cent under Mayor
Strong's administration. the old contractors as
well as the new having come down In price, De-
cause competition was invited and encouraged
The cost Of supplies and repairs 10 public build