Year: 1876




The celebrated DIR. johnson was once con-
suited by lady as to the degree of her son 8
turpitude in robbing an orchard. Madame
said the Doctor, s. it all depends on the
weight of the boy. 1 remember that my
schoolmate, David Garrick, who was little
fellow, robbed dozen orchards with impu-
nifty but l always was heavy boy, and the
first time I climbed up an apple tree the
bough broke, and it was called judgment.
1 suppose that is why Justice is represented
with pair of scales"


Since Tweed's time no bough of our muni-
cipal apple tree has given way with crash
but the pockets of the sslght weights all
together hold a great many apples. Tweed
lanced an artery in the body polite. That
has been tied up but the patient has been
bleeding ever since from leeches. The peo-
pie of this city do not get their moneys
worth in any department of the municipal
service, unless it is the Comptrollers Office.
Little leaks, little evasions of duty, labor
tickets, incompetent inspection, over pay
ments, perfunctory administration in myr-
lad ways, cost us several millions of dollars
year. Nor is the waste of so much money
the worst of it. Still worse is its effect on the
relation of New York to other cities as an
avenue for trade and transportation and
desirable place of residence. Boston on the
north and Baltimore on the south thrive on
our misfortunes. Nothing but our prodigious
natural advantages prevents us from show
ing an actual instead of only relative
decadence. Something needs to be done,
and to be done quickly.


If we wait for Governor Tildens munich
pal commission to tell us what to do we
shall wait long and vainly 1t was consti-
tuted for the very purpose of delay. So far
as it is busy at all it is busy considering
theories. Mr.. jackson S. Schultz, for in
stance, few days ago, addressed a letter to
it declaring that universal suffrage and an
honest and economical municipal govern
ment are incompatible with each other"
and urging it to devise 'Board of Control
for every city in the State, to be elected by
the male and female owners of real estate.
This is fair illustration of the nature of its
deliberations. 1t is not reasonable to expect
any measure of relief through the agency of
this commission, when we remember when,
why and how it was appointed.


The only practical measure which has
been proposed that is capable of immediate
adoption is spring election for municipal
officers. One of the February magazines has
just printed an interesting letter which was
written by Robert E. Lee to jefferson Davis
soon after the battle of Gettysburg. The
General put his commission at the disposal
of the President for the reason that in case
of reverses the usual and proper remedy is q
change of the unsuccessful commander. In
that case the President wisely refused the
offered resignation but there is no doubt
that the Generals theory of usage and pro-
priety was right. 1t holds equally good in
the conduct of a municipal administration.
When Mayor, after more than years SER
vice, fails to enforce either harmony or
economy in any of the branches of the city
government, it is time for him to step down
and out, no matter how much longer is the
term of his commission If he will not do
so, then it is reasonable to ask the Legisla-
ture to abridge his term. When Board
Vi 1AAOSAhAch uOAAbOAnsSAy AOooA'O W
squander the money of the people in
gratuities to political favorites, and make
willingness to pay more than the market
rates for labor the test of qualification for
Office, it is time for them also to step down
and out. If they will not, then it is reason
able to ask the Legislature to put them out.
Our present Mayor and Aldermen were not
elected upon considerations pertaining solely
to municipal affairs. Their nomination and
election depended upon political bargains
relating in great part to affairs of the State
and the nation, with which the city was but
remotely concerned. We ask the Legislature
to give us for once a purely municipal cleo
ton. This they can do Immediately. 1t
cannot make anything worse than it now is,
and it may make everything much better. 1t
will not interfere with anybodys projects for
amending the charter in other particulars,
nor will it interfere with the deliberations of
the Governors commission. 1t is capable of
being considered and granted on its own
peculiar and separate merits.


Steeplechnsing.


The American Jockey Club, acting on
the HERALDs suggestion to increase the