The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-02

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The ENLARGEM OF THE BATTERY.-We have
carefully watched the movement of this affair,
from Its inciplent state, to the present time, when
it assumes an aspect of the favo: OF the Common
Council. A report has been presented by special
committee of the Board of Assistant Aldermen,
and met with the sanction of that body favorable
TO the proposition.
We have that report before us, and, really, ca
sual glance would lead to the belief that the work,
if an improvement, could be made at very
trflipg cost to the city But in the nicely of their
calculation, the committee have apparently made a
very fragrant error, and, In the main arm of the
wall, substituted yards for feet which, upon care
full examination, may make prominent difference
in the cost They propose to fill In some twelve
acres, or thereabout for which the report alleges
the corporation will receive $7S,275 81, while the
building of the bulk-head and sea-wall will cost
$16l, l60, leaving deficiency of $s3 Ol2 30 which
the city will be required to pay. But it is very
evident wall and bulk-head, of the dimensions
proposed, cannot possibly be constructed for any
such price, nor for less sum, at the smallest pos
sibe calculation, than $l5O,OOO which would leave
The city responsible for $72,OOO,O 900.
The report informs us that the earth, necessary
for the filling In, would be obtained from con-
tractors, who are engaged in building sewers in
the lower part of the city, and which would re-
quire but two or three years. How preposterous
is the idea twelve acres of land to be made from
the refuse earth of sewers, while sewer of the
largest dimensions through every street below the
City Hall would not fill onefourth of the proposed
addition besides, more. than one-half the streets
are already provided with sewers.
We are also told that the proposed addition
will add from 100000 to $2,OOO,OOO to the as
sets OF the city, and that ga single acre sold
from the present Battery, from any part of 1t
least useful for the purposes to which it is devo-
ted, would not only pay for the whole work, but
leave surplus of at least $780, 900 to the credit of
the city treasury" This assertion looks some
thing like the real intention of the authors of the
scheme. This, however, they say, is merely to
show the relative cost of the work, with respect to
It's future valuation. We not at all surprised at
this movement, and only wonder that something
more ridiculous If Iossble, has not. long ere this
emanated from those whom the people, In good faith
make their Legislators. Has it ever been the case
that the Battery insufficient for the purposes of
apromenade to all who may have visited it We
affirm not. Then, wherefore the necessity of its
enlargement! A view of the East river is spoken
of as something very desirable. Suppose the ad-
dItion be made, the view of that river would only
reach about as far up as the navy yard, and per-
haps to Williamsburg. Well, that would be some.
thing, 20 be sure, But the view would not pay the
cost of the addition 1t would be much better if
the Common Council W uld devise and execute
means to keep the Battery in proper condition,
avI v,aGa Il L. l.. Al
adding more land to that which is now neglected
But this is an age OF wonders and humbugs, and we
should not be surprised, If this measure be adopt
ed, that proposition Is not brought forward and
carried, TO construct a museum of natural curiosi-
ties or like foolish project, for the pleasure and
amusement of the people" If their interest was
studied more, and their "peasure and amuse-
ment'' less, there would be greater chance for
improvement; and we hope the people, whom they
SO desire to please, WILL with one voice, put stop
TO the harem-scarem legislation which has already
embarrassed the finances of the city and heaped
taxes upon taxes, until properly will scarcely rea-
lize sufficient interest," in many places to keep it
IN proper repair.
We have long since ceased to hope for good from
a body of men whose sole ann seems to be how
they can gam political position, which, at the pre-
sent day, is as unenviable, with high-mnded men,
as IT is injurious to the moral character We shall
see, however, what course this matter will take in
the Board of Aldermen, and, until tina, time, -
forbear to revert to the subject, whc, Is ent{fely
unworthy Of notice, except from the reckless man.
ner in which the people of the city are compelled,
by appropriation after appropriation, as foolish and
extravsgant useless, 10 expend their money for
hose things which cannot possibly benefit them
selves or any boty else.