New-York tribune., 1901-03-01

way or another Ii is to be hoped all Srdtes WIN
make that offence of the most odlous anu
one OF the most perilous TO commit
The Tenement House Commission declares
that nearly all the tenement houses recentiS
constructed in New-York have been built IN 'io-
laton of law. 1t has been generaiiy oelieNeu
for some time that Department Oh puiiu-
ings is inefficient and there is too rnuch reasoii
to suspect that it Is not wholly free Irofh 'oi
ruption tuberculosis Of the lungs OF cum
sunntion. as II is commonly called, has be-
come practically epidemic in the oVercro"ueu
and unclean tenement districts. 1t is the most
destructive plague in the city. and it is not likely
to be kept in check until the building laws are
enforced resolutely and in good faith.
As president of the Health Department for
ner Police Commissioner Sexton will not waste
any time in foolish talk about the weakness or
elevated railroad pillars the dangers OF infec-
ton from asphalt pavements, as his predecessor
Colonel Murphy, did. Mr.. Sexton Is nara
headed. practical politician, who does not make
speeches. but who does an immense amount OF
underground work for lTammany. When he was
one Of the Bipartisan -Four" of the Police
Board he was hand and glove with every ac-
cused captain or higher official in the depart
ment and it was his constant practice to vote
for acqulttals and whitewashngs, as in the case
of Herlihy no matter how strong the evil
dence against the wrongdoer With Sexton in
the topmost place in the Board of Health that
part of the city government will soon be a Tam
many model of mismanagement through and
through.
Devery is now at the top of his ambition. He
is presiding over police trials. Daniel come
to Judgment, wise judge. who is 1t honors
-@1. Nsyr
ply and the Tammany Gambling Combine" de-
light to honor this spotless wearer of the Central
Office ermine.
The Court of Appeals has come to the rescue
of the taxpayers of Gotham with respect to GER
tain features of the so-called prevailing Rate
OF Wages" law. 1t is evident already that under
the decision of our highest court millions OF
dollars will be saved to the municipal treasury
SO much may be counted upon with certainty
LAWYERS are not yet in agreement as to the
exact scope of this momentous decision. but 1t
cannot be disputed that It's tone and tendency
are plainly toward the relief OF the city from a
burden which appeared to be rapidly swelling
toward proportions that might we'll cause dis
may among all who have at heart the true pros
perity and progress of New-York
1t is to be hoped that practical measures for
the Increase of Brooklyn's water supply VIII be
pushed as energetically as the talk of water
famine is circulated.
The practice OF taking Lenten vacations in the
South has gained ground wonderfully in New
York and other Northern cities in the last score
OF wears In many a village and town of the
Southern States. many beach and river,
among the pines on the coast, the amuse-
ments and luxuries Of winter resorts have been
made so fascinating that great focks of pleasure
seekers now initiate the birds in their annual
migrations. And the results are beneficial both
above and below the valleys of the Potomac and
the Ohio.
The boldness OF burglars In the foremost of
American cities almost passes understanding.
In East Seventy -ninth-st.. not far from Fifth
ave several housebreakers enjoyed luxurious
breakfast in a costly mansion, and their eating
and drinking were not disturbed by fear OF mol
estat!ou from the police. Incidentally the ras-
calls took away with them jewels worth many
thousands of dollars. Our Police Department
costs nearly S12O0OOO0 a year. Is New York
getting police protection OF a genuine value of
almost a dozen millions? Some day the tax
payers may make trouble. In these days their
patience is Incompatible