New-York tribune., 1896-10-24
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
EFFICIENCY AND REFORM.
"oMAN's PROTEST AGAINST ATTACKS on THE
PRESENT MUNICIPAL REGIME.


TO the Editor of The Tribune
sir II has been very tersely suggested that there
are two kinds of persons whom 1t takes 10 make up
the world-the one class constituting usually the
minority that goes ahead and does something.
ana the other class that sits back and says WHY
Cid yon not do it this way?" If one were now TO
believe all that the pcssimlsts are saying,
would Imagine ourselves TO be on the crater of
dissolution or the eve of a revolution in the mat
Ter or governmental affairs. Particularly has this
beer true concerning our metropolis in regard TO
the many changes that have been effected during
the last few years As member of the Ladies'
Health Protective Association. from whose efforts
have evolved SO many reforms, | have sometimes
ret called upon 10 answer some of these
'croakers" who are constantly sitting at home
complaining about everything that is done by any
one else. and yet doing nothing themselves
There never has been a time of more unmerited
faultfnding than at this present era This is an
epoch OF many attempted and. in many cases
most successful reforms. but every stcp of the WAY
has been blocked by adverse and often mos, sour
rous criticism concerning the government officials
Columns Of editorials. articles with scathing
scare-head lines and most false statements are
going uncontfadicted. Sentences like these are
being published: Crime In the metropolis still in
creases Yesterday was carnival of crooks.
while the same article states that 1000 arrests
made by the Eldridge-st. police alone in the month
OF August Does this not show that those vested
with authority are striving least 10 stop tho
preparation of crime" May ask Is II incumbent
on them 10 reform the criminal, or has not the
public duty resting them in this matter? !
claim such assertions unjust. They are not
true represon ations of the whole facts. feel our
city is blessed with a better government during
its present management than II has been for many
years previous. The police are here as restrictive
force only. Therefore. although not a lawmaker
given TO those TO whom il is due! wish thus pub
licly to say that the Health Protective Associa-
and lack OF cola bora ton in all of IT'S reforma
tory measures. whenever any of the ladies have
in the metropolis
Tfn s II pr S hapk e"h H9G M
Parker. Mr. Andrews and Peter Coniin for ~, ne
change. whoever is in command must have Won
derfu powers combined with executive discipline
years experience on the force. but he had the
benefit Of military discipline an officer in the
ginning TO the end of that sanguinary struggle 10
preserve the Union an this is eyinced IN the way
regime Of mtarism with the chivalry Of the
in my estimate Of these public matters appertain-
ing to the cement of municipal affairs
view Of another lady. who lived here during tho
old administration and now visits the city under
Having had her home desola,ed by The dread
streets In 1851 when the death-rate among the
little ones Of this city was appallinEy high. ny
has now returned. a quotation from her present
experiences may emphasize my statement Hav-
ing occasion this week 20 Pier No. N. East
River she back. remarking the wonderful
changes where once Uucleanliness and desc
lation she saw now a beautiful park and
nodious artistic pavilion. all planned and perfected
for the benefit Of the people dwelling in those dis
tricts She noticed. 700. the poliieneSs of the po
lcemen. II shown in the fact that they an
swered questions in such different manner from
the police Of the olden times. who werc often gruf
and in their replies. but tho policemen. she
20 take personal in;er@s. in
seeing that the stranger or traveller Is helped 10
the right car and shown the right WAY.
told my friend that these external evidences OF
reform that she had casually noticed were only a
title Of the improvements that had been Effected.
This is some OF the efficiency OF the police force
Of the present and the result OF good government
and The object Of this letter Is show that some
Of us OF the disfranchsed class appreciating
them and hone they will not be blocked hv ircon-
sisient "croakers." JtST1TfA.
New-York Sept q. 1896.