New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-04
ticians who think they can be dcspsed as insig-
nifcant factors are fools.
NEW COMMISSIONERS NEEDED.

II is reported that Mayor Strong VIII make ap-
noiptments 10 the Board Of Charities and Cor
rcction within a few days. Philosophical citi-
IONS who desire 10 SEQ Mayor Strong'S admins
tration completely successful, and 10 welcome
radical change for the better In the methods
which have prevailed in the Department OF
Charities and Correction hope earnestly that the
Mayor will not retain in office any Of the mem
beers of the present Board, which has been re-
sponsiblc for the u. ,,nanagcment Of that depart
ment in past years The \ewSOrk Herald
made some earnest and thorough investigations
Of the evils and abuses which have abounded in
that department. and laid the results before the
people of Ncw-York in series Of valuable and
important articles. These exposures in THE
Herald were followed by m official inveStiga
tion. which proved beyond dispute that the De
partment of Charities and Correction had b"rh
seriously and shamcfully msmanagcd. The
Commissioners were gravcly in fault in many
things. They did not provide properly for the
comfort of the ciIys helpless wards; they
crammcd the institutions with Tammany heel
crs who were employed as attendants and help
crs in the various buildings they violated the
law by sending tc the polls Il horde of worthless
rascalS from the islands who had no Legal right
10 NOip All OF me olillillN>lbH'IN WIZ
disgraccfully So. in their violation Of law in at
tempting 10 swell the Tammany vote in Tins
city by sending men 10 the polls who had no
legal right To vote
These Commissioners pinChed the paupcrs ana
the PATIENTS i'm the hospitals i'll order mat the
Tammany heclcr> In the institutions should wax
fat and grow sleek with high living and indo
lencc These favored Tammanv hcclers w'r"
not compelled 10 do their work properly. som"
of them were barbarous and cruel in their treat
mcni of the unfortunate beings In their charge
The Department Of Charities and Correction I'M
der the acknowledgements Of commissioners FOR
ter. Shechy and Simmons has been pretty nearly
a model 10 The country Of what such depart
mcnt should not be. 1t is not denied that some
men of exceptional intelligence. ability ana force
have been employed in this department 10 govern
some of the institutions, but these mon nave
been hamprrcd embarrassed ana crippled by
having Tlmmany hccler> forced upon th'h rs
attendants and subOrdinatcS on the lSlahdS ana
ly insufficient provision for patients ana inmates
Of the various buildings. The contractors VII"
have furnished supplies 10 the islands nave been
In A number # cases favored Tammahy con
tractors who hav" piled NJ large fortunes u!
furnishing such supplies TIL" commissioners
rs Il rule have not been attentive 10 their duties
ihcy have not visited the institutions - fr"pu$ll-
" as they ought - have visited them; thcy nave
not inspected the hospitals. asylulnS ana prisons
50 thoroughly and vigorously rs they ought 10
have. done: they have not shown the zeal the
diligence the carncstncss the unSelt >hneSS ana
the public spirit which This community mas
right 70 demand Of men who occupy such imp'f
tant and responsible places as those Of ia" com
miSslopcrs of Charities and Correction.
Vast improvements can hc made aud ought
10 be made in this department. \ compl"i" r'v"-
luton in The system. in tn" methods. III the de
tails If the department ought To- b" made ai lh'
earliest possible dav W one Of The ''mm'S
siourrs who have made 50 unfortunate AMI de
plorable a record of acknowledgement In past
years ought 10 he permitted 10 remain IN ne
Board This enormous department. with IL
army Of patients and wards ana prisoners should
he governed by Commissioners who represent
The highest c,lucaIior the most careful train
ing. the biggest and hr"adcs' minds 81 This me"