The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-08
Sch. mes Before the Legisiatars.

Schemes Before the Legaslatars.
The 6rst few days sessions Of the LegSia-
ture have developed all manner OF schemes for
this city. Four or five railroad projects have
already been noticed, as well as MdrO-
politan Health bill. II this commencement 10
fair sample Of what is to be done for thiscity
every day Of the session, we shall no doubt
have railroad through, over and under every
street in the city before the session adjOurns, a.
we'll as special provisions to regulate the bust
ness of every man, woman and child in this
metropolis.
As far as the city railroads are concerned
we have no objection to the Legislature char.
tering all that it desires, provided in 50 doing
some little regard is psis, TO the interests of the
city. More city railroads are needed, not only
to accommodate the travel up and down the
city, but also across town. We cannot have
too many, II rightly conducted, and given out
81 the right principle. These franchises are all
immensely valuable, and while we are in favor
of the construction OF additional lines we are
opposed to giving this or that set of speculatO1s
all the pecuniary benefit Some regard should
be paid 10 the interests of the city, either by
selling these franchises to the highest bidder,
paying a portion of the profits into the city
treasury, or else providing that after a certain
number OF years the ownership Of the roads
shall revert to the city. In some Of the
European countries the charters for railroads
are granted with special proviso that those
who construct them shall receive the profits
for specified number Of years, and
at the expiration Of that period the title OF tina
roads shall be vested in the government AZ
recompense for the grants. Why should mol
that rule be applied to these valuable fran
chises in this city, The present system OF
farming out these grants is all wrong; but,
under some such provisions as mentioned
above, we care not how many charters are
granted.
The reports Of the roads already in existence
recently published in one of our contemporaries
reveal the fact that the profits are enormous
Rightly managed they must, in few years, pay
all expense OF construction. with good interest
on all actual ou,lays. Upwards Of thirty mn
lions oil passengers are carried over them in
one year, and the time IL not far distant when
one hundred millions a human beings will
annually ride on these street railroads in ths
city This not only shows the popularity Of
railroads rs a mode Of travel, and the enormous
profit 10 be derived from an investment In
them, but also the demand for more lines. Let
them be granted on the correct principle, and
the more we have the better. The city SHOULD
in some way secure a pecuniary benefit, aQy
the roads not be wholly monopolized by =
few individuals, US in the past.
The Health bill which is now TO be pushed
as a means TO stay the rsvages Of the cholers
seems to Us 10 be poorly devised. II we are TO
Judge Of the time that il will take 10 put the
machinery OF a department OF that kind in
operation by the period which the paid Fire
Department occupied in getting ready 10 put
out fires, the cholera will have accomplished liz
work Of devastation in our midst long before
they will accomplish anything in regulating
The sanitary affairs Of this locality. We need
something that will operate Immediately, in
order that by the approach Of warm weuther
the city may be placed in readiness, all nui-
ssnces abatsd and all foul places thoroughly
renovated. We fear that il the. Legislature
confines ts operations in that respect TO the
famous Metropolitan Health bill. instead of
enabling us to prepare for the emergency
which now threatens ns, We shall be In posi-
tiou literally inviting this scourge. Our
present health laws srs snicienr TO meet the
emergency, with more eEcient Quarantine regu.
lations, provided the Legislature removes tbs-
Stumbling blocks in the Way Of their sdmnix-
yation. We have now two sets of health on
Gers, and the duties are 80 divided that Ill
efforts al sanitary reform sre almost usssce.
Why would II not be we'll for our law makers 10
forego their schemes for lcgislatog one set Of
men out Of Office Tor the sake cs providing
places for political fAvoriies TO some Other
occssion, and do something that will be prscI-
cal IN staying the rsvsges Of the choleras Arv
not the welfare OF the city and the lives of its
citizens Of more importance than providing
places, 81 snug salaries, 10 On army Of fAvodic
politicians. n seems 10 us that this whols
thing can be adjusted. sud that, too, In sstis-
factory and practical manner, by concentrating
all tbe duties and powers now vested in Vie
hands Of the Board Of health and Comns-
siouers Of Health IN the latter. The Commit
sioner Of Health are nearly all meo whom NJ
public have Conscience in and are willing To
trust 10 On emssgcscy likc sbe present. The
passage Of law 81 one section would
confer on them this power, which cosld
be done In forty-eieh, hours. In one
weeks time they could arrange their work and
commence a. once 10 Get the city in order.
purify. cleanse and regulate Il. We could then
be prepared for the worst long before the no,
wes~her Get in. while, on the other hand, We
have great doubts II the machinery Of metro
politsn health department which the Albany
coloos sanc, iutocx a. orcats for m vwouId he