The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-30
The City-Its Present ConGitlon-Its Pros
pective Magnitude.

1t is certain that this is a city Of extraordi-
nary advantages and prosperity-now increas-
ing in wealth, in trade, in population, in
luxury and the means of human enjoyment
with rapidity unsurpassed, perhaps une-
qualled. The power, energy, activity, intelli-
gence, as well as variety Of its people, make up
a mighty picture of human association, and
present demonstration of the effect of institu-
tions really free which removes all doubt o.
their excellence
But wisdom, forethought and public spirit
as well as enterprise and industry are neces-
sary to secure and render most good for the
whole the advantages which we enjoy. Selfish
ness and sordid feeling must in some degree
give way to public virtue, and private mono
poly to general good or general happiness and
general comfort will not flow from the best of
municipal blessings.
The city now presents a sad spectacle in the
general want of confidence in many Of it's
present administrators. In the estimate formed
of these officers and their conduct and motives,
assigned in the public mind, there may in some
degree though not wholly, be much error.
The commerce and financial and mechanical
business of the city are immense-employmen
for all classes, from the lowest to the highest.
and at high prices, in demand-a ready market
Tor every production, wealth is flowing in
from every quarter. and improvements, from
private enterprise, are developing in every
direction.
Yet, in public matters, though expenses be-
You'd all precedent, in every department. are
incurred, corresponding benefits do not follow.
The amount drawn from the city treasury
for street cleaning is immense-yet the
streets are extremely filthy. The amount
expended for gas and oil to light the streets
is immense-yet they are not we'll lighted.
The amount paid for street repairing and paw
ing is beyond all precedent-yet where is the
city more wretched in its pavements? The
amount paid for market accommodations is vast
and what markets more miserable in their APP
pearance and deficient in accommodations than
the Washington Fulton and Catharine Markets?
The universal cry is relief for Broadway and
to and from the lower wards of the city-yet
what measures are taken, what bold and large
measures adequate to the exigency, have been
adopted?
Examine the position and superfce of this
island. 1t is surrounded by water. and with
natural resources on each river to accom-
modate shipping of every class quite up to
Harlem on one side and Spuytenduyvil on the
other. Including its daily influx Of strangers
full 100000 persons every day are accommo-
dated and are abiding within its limits. 1t is
increasing in permanent population at the rate
of 10000 per annum; in superice, northwards
between ten and twenty blocks or streets
across the island per year. Where, then, will
be the city in fifty years more, and what the
conveniences of its people, unless due measures
be now taken to secure them comfort in their
business? The present City Hall is now Fifty
years old; when it was built it was deemed by
many too far up town for needful convenience.
The dense portion Of the city then was as far as
Leonard street. On the like ratio Of increase
where will be its boundary Fifty years hence?
Let a new municipal hall be erected at Ct
near Madison square, or above it; let a judi
cial hall be erected at an appropriate place in
the upper part Of the island; let the present
City Hall be employed for a custom house, and
the post Office be moved to the same vicinity
let Canal street and Chambers street be cut
through, each on a straight line. to the East
river; let the Third avenue he extended on
straight line to Chatham street and Hudson
street to Broadway; let West street be widened
to from five hundred TO six hundred feet from
the avenue to the Battery, and the railroad
cars, with their freight. run on that street; and
a line Of docks similar to the London docks be
successively established, az far az requisite,
from the Battery northwardly, and the city
would well be relieved or it's want Of street ac-
commodatons. A struggle about railroads or
no railroads to relieve the pressure would be
found unnecessary, the upper wards would not
have to pay tribute in expense and inconve-
nience to keep property n the First ward at an
value, nor the streets torn to pieces