Editorials without Headlines (June 28, 1895)

New York, 1895

The way to get control of the Hempstead and Jamaica road is to buy it and add it to the county road system. A few thousand dollars should not be allowed to stand in the way.


Good Government clubs seem able to accomplish desirable results everywhere except in Jamaica.


The Long Island City Herald has this item of news:

City Treasurer Lucien Knapp declined to settle back taxes at two per cent. as provided by the law passed by the last Legislature. It is understood that he regards the law as unconstitutional.

A constitutional objection has also been raised to the arrears act passed for Queens county. The law permits property now in arrears for taxes to escape from a lien by paying such a percentage of the tax as a commission shall be willing to accept. For instance, where $100 is due $10 may be accepted, and that act throws $90 back on the body of the taxpayers, to be paid by them in the next tax levy, the county being now bonded for the full amount of the arrears. Every piece of property that is worth the amount of the tax should be made to pay in full. If any other course is followed the law should be attacked. We think Mr. Knapp has done right. Criticism of the county commission will have to await their action. They are a sensible body of men and not likely to put a burden on prompt tax-payers for the benefit of the laggards.

Supervisor Augustus Denton, of North Hempstead, is said to he a candidate for Assembly honors in the new Third district, consisting of the towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay. — L. I. City Herald.

If there is in the district a better man for the office we do not know him. Mr. Denton is a man of sterling integrity, and the public interests would be perfectly safe in his care. By all means, nominate him and elect him.


As we are to have a special village election, why not submit to the voters a proposition to raise $50,000 for the improvement of the village streets on the lines adopted by the village of Flushing! After having raised $400,000 to improve town roads, the village should not rest until every street is made a joy to the eye. It can do no harm to lot the people express their views on the subject.


The teachers' institute should be abolished in this county. It is a time-killing, useless thing. Teachers who are qualified for their work have no use for it. Those not qualified should go to the normal school and prepare themselves. Holding the institute in the fall is better than holding it in the spring, and for the change Commissioner Cooley should be thanked.

Townsend Scudder, of Glen Head, is spoken of as a probable candidate for the Democratic nomination for State Senator next fall. — Brooklyn Times.

A most excellent choice it would be. Mr. Scudder stands in the front rank of citizenship. Democracy would honor itself by honoring him.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, June 28, 1895, p. 4.