New-York tribune., 1905-03-28
INADEQUATE.

The Superintendent of Buildings who has re-
| turned from Florida to face what nearly every
| body would call an awkward situation pre-
serves a singular and not wholly creditabe Sc
renity. Mr. Hopper, in entering upon a de-
| fensive campaign which possibly may not save
! him from dismissal, has the advantage Of being
| accounted an honest man. Under Tammany
administration that is Il distinction which is
not to be undervaued, yet it leaves some
thing TO be desired He is also blessed with Il
| cheerful heart which fortifes him against the
sings and arrows of criticism. Until recently
he had faithful newspaper organ, to wit, The
Harlem Reporter and Bronx Chronicle" but we
are under the impression that having been
unable to sell or give away that publication, he
permitted it to yield up the ghost not long ago.
If so, he is now without a supporter among
our esteemed contemporaries, and we don't at
present see how we could honestly go to his
relief if he should lose his nerve and ask for
assistance.
BY way of introduction to the remarkable
statement which he promulgated yesterday,
Mr.. Hopper said that he was "grieyed and
shocked TO hear of the collapsed buildings. -
Now, ''gTieved" and shocked" are good words:
indeed, there are no better words in the die
tionary 10 describe the state of mind in which
the Superintendent Of Buildings ought to be.
But it is often necessary to consider the con-
text, and we must admit that what follows
justifies the feeling that Mr.. Hopper is grieyed
and shocked in an exceedingly Hghtsome and
perfunctory manner. There is no indication
that his brow is wllng with pain and anguish
He might about as well have said that he was
disconnected. To be sure, there are times when
language fails. There was a man who re-
| turned after brief absence to find that his
house had burned down. the baby had fallen
into the well and his wife had gone off with
total stranger, and who couldn't think of any
thing to say except, why this is absolutely
ridiculous" His emotions were too overwhelm-
ing for appropriate utterance, but such, we
fear is not Mr.. Hopper's case
The collapse Of dozen buildings which had
been so wretchedly put together that they sim
ply couldn't stand up when it rained is not
municipal incident which the official under
whose jurisdiction it occurred can afford TO con-
template with perfect tranquility. Mr.. Hop
| per, who comedies that he is the best man in
| town for the place he occupies and consequent
| ly refuses to resign. from a sense of public
duty, is good enough TO say that he intends to
look into the unfortunate affair and see what
can be done about it. If he takes steps to pre-
vent more occurrences of the same sort, he will
manifestly be doing what he ought to do, and
coincidentaIly confessing that he ought to have
done it before. If he lies down and does moth
ing, he will not find it easy to convince the pub
| lie that his estimate Of his own qualifications
| for the Office which he holds at a sacrifice of
ease and comfort is impartial and accurate.
We have no wish TO deal harshly with Mr..
Hopper. Possibly he is the victim of vicious
system which he has no power to reform. Pos
sibly he hasn't enough inspectors to keep close
watch on contractors and thwart the tricks Of
rascals. Other superintendents have maGe that
| complaint before, and there may be something
| 4I.Af Of n.
case will take a deal of proving. and, if he has
| it in his power to Justify his administration, he
cannot set about the task too soon Yesterday s
statement won't do.