New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-02-11
1rrp y0RK COOP AND BAD.

Mavor Gaynor's condemnation of those
whom he regards as the detractorS Oh
New York and his glowing tribute 10
the worth of the metropolis, uttered ut
the exercises in memory of Morris Is.
Jesup. were in spirit a repetltion OF
some of his remarks on the stump DUR
ing last falls campaign, and undoubt-
edly EXPRESSED one of the most earnest
and dominant convictions Of his mind.
With his motive IN thus speaking at
this time there will be ready sympathy,
and indeed with many of his specifica-
tions there will be cordial agreement.
But the Mayor himself would doubtless
be the first to deplore too literal and
indiscriminate application of his esti-
mate Of the character Of the city.
There can be, of course, no question
Of the fiscal solvency of New York The
city has been grossly plundered and has
suffered from many eXtrava gances, some
Of which the present administration Is
commercially abating, and as result
l. suffers q greater load of Indebtedness
than should have been laid upon it, but
at most the liabilities Of the city form
so small a percentage Of its assets that
any question of its solvency would be
absurd At the same time it would be
intolerable TO argue or TO imply tnat
such unguestionable soundness afforded
the least condonation of profiigacy and
graft. The public funds should be rs
scrupuIously accounted for in rich city
as in a poor one.
,n Novn- a1Cn
in appreciation Of the great institutions
of learning and culture of which New
York is the seat and in pride at the
great public works and private bene-
factions which here minister TO the
physical. intellectual and spiritual we'll
being of the community and of the in
Vulnerable host Of visitors whom New
York constantly entertainS. We have
frequently dwelt upon the greatness Of
this city as an educational centre, upon
the number Of its hospitals and other
asylums for the infirm and suffering, and
upon the inspiring development Of must
cal. dramatic, architectural and other
artistic culture which is proceeding
here. But these gratifying and hearteTl-
ing conditions should never be permitted
to blind the eye or blunt the reprOving
Judgment to the still too numerous Of
fences against intelligence taste nd
humanity On the contrary, they should
rather intensity Indignation against the
evils which mar the city The more
beautiful the gem the more the flaw in
II is to be regretted. The more perfect
the work Of any kind the more earnest
Is TO be the effort 10 eliminate from it
even the least imperfection.. New York
ers cordially agree with their Mayor III
thinking themselves citizens OF no mean
city. but those who thus think most
strongly and most effectively are they
who strive, by the elimination Of evils,
as we'll as by the cultivation Of virtues,
to make the city truly great. Indeed,
that fact was strikingly eXemplitied by
the very man in whose honor Mayor
GaynOr was speaking on Wednesday.
Mr. JeSup did much for the adOrnment
Of the city and for the establishment Of
the museum which is one of its glories.
Yet few saw more wildly than he the
squalor. the suffering and the sin which
engulf a large part of the city, or strove
more efficiently and Tersistently to abate
thnca py-jIS