New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-31
TIE WOODBURY. PROBLEM.

The prospect that the Commissioner Of Street
Cleaning viii be retained by Mr. Mcclellan on
an indefinite tenure without a reappointment
suggests various reflections one Of which is that
such an arrangement cannot be wholly agree
able TO DR.. Woodbury.. That he should care 10
keep particularly laborious place on any terms
is probably puzzle 10 many citizens, who have
been told that he does not need the salary but
do not know what manner Of man he is But
10 those who have the advantage of his ac-
ouaintance it does not appear strange that he
should desire 10 90 On with the work which he
has been doing for two years. He is naturally
energetic and ingenious. Having many ideas
on the subject OF city's waste products, he en-
joys the opportunity Of putting them 10 a prac-
deal test he has talent for command and
likes 10 exercise il, as do most men SO endowed.
BE has been able TO get along comfortably with
Tammany in the Board Of Aldermen and else
where by virtue OF a frank and cheerful CON-
bativeness OF temper which may provoke oppo-
sit1on at the outset but disarms it in the end
His friends are aware that he has never got as
much fun out Of any other occupation. for he
has told them a hundred times He is con-
WINGED. rightly or wrongly, that he is capable OF
accomplishing much greater things as Street
Cleaning Commissioner than he has yet had
time for, and IT would be grievous disappoint-
ment 70 him 10 have TO stop now while there is
q doubt about It
But we cannot believe that DR. Woodbury.
relishes the announcement-unofficial but gen
orally credited-that be is 70 be retained not
because he IS really wanted by the admin.stra-
ton. but because IL is considered expedient TO
give Tammany the benefit Of his reputation so
long as he viii consent TO make things as pleas
ant as ne conveniently can for the organization
His instincts and proclivities are Democratic
and doubtless II has been easier for him than II
would have been for some other good men 10
think favorably OF sinners. but we are sure he
would not contentedly submit 10 be & servant
Il Tamnany rather than OF the city as the price
OF keeping his Office. IT, therefore, he is ready
10 accept the uncertain status Of q holdover, he
must realize that he is adding to his burdens
He can hardly have failed 10 become aware
that a good many persons are already COM
planning, we do not say Justly, that the streets
have not been as well cleaned on the whole
during the last six months as they were while
the subway excavations made the work extraor-
dinar1ly difficult and that efficient sweeping is.
after ALL more important than experiments in
final disposition. A general understanding that
the Commissioner was on his good behavior in
the Tammany meaning OF that term, would
make the criticisms which no man in his Do
sition can hope 70 escape doubly hard 70 bear
Indeed, the suspicion Of subserviency. however
Indeserved, might have the effect Of imna ring
his usefulness.
These are considerations chiefly personal 10
himself which DR.. Woodbury. must duly weigh
on his own account From the public point OF
view. II IS a significant fact that in all the dis
osxs3on relating 10 his commissionership Tam