The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-09
FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1869.
pEw0VAL or THE IRA CKS ON BROAD
STREET.

AN'Ns
STREET.
Typ efforts made to create in Philadelphia the
,,oat magnificent avenue in the world, on the
ora hand and to mar and dcface IL, or to post
none indefinitely its development, on the other,
form one of the most interesting and exciting
rbepters Of our local history. In the plan of the
clty there are unfortunately but two streets of
suficient width to correspond with the modern
ideaa of magnifcence and grandeur-Market and
Rrood By common consent the former is given
M, caiircly to trade and traffic, and while the
building lots on either side are lined with stores
and warehouses, the centre is traverscd not
only by double passenger railway
trnck but by a freight track with numerous
turposts This is but one of many streets dedi-
Gated TO commerce, and with each new year
magnificent new stores spring up in regions pre-
yiously occupied exclusively by dwelling-houses
Every true Philadelphan is delighted with these
evidences of progress and unmistakable proofs
OF the increase OF trade and business activity.
But meanwhile it must not be forgotten that art
science, architecture, and, If you will, fashion,
have irresistible claims to municipal attention.
and that no city can be true modern metropo-
lis which does not present numerous attractions
pleasing to the eye and grateful to cultivated
tastes as well as the commercial facilities which
appeal solely to sordid instincts. Many West
era or Southern merchant, who lengthens his
journey to buy goods at New York, is attracted
there, unconsciously to himself, by what he
knows or has heard of the splendors of Fifth
avenue and the beauties of the Central Park,
even while he forces himself to believe that he
Is influenced solely by commercial motives. But
it La not for strangers only, or chiefly that u
grand central avenue of art and fashion should
be created in Philadelphia. The population
now rapidly approaching one million souls,
which, in the natural order of things will
be swelled to twice that number before another
generation passes away, are deeply interested
in ali that pertains to the decorative arts All
classes equally interested. While the sue
cessful business man needs splendid home not
far from his counting house, the toiling masses
should not be denied the pleasure of gazing upon
q sSiking and concentrated display of the wealth
they cannot amass, and share at least with their
eyes the magnifcence which is founded upon
their steady labors. Public opinion has dedi-
Gated Broad street to this purpose. The advances
of commerce in every other direction will be
joyfully approved, but its distractions here are
ungenerous and annoying Millions have already
been spent to decorate and improve Broad street
to erect splendid dwellings, to lay down the
Nicolson pavement, to plant beautiful trees
and to line Its sidewalks with public buildings
of the most imposing character Many millions
more will soon be expended for similar purposes
as church after church points its tall spires up
wards to the heavens, as the Masonic Temple
approaches completion, and as the projects OF
various influential societies are matured, until
the whole street is occupied by palatial resi-
dences or still grander structures, and its entire
length is rendered the grandest drive in the
world These Improvements have progressed
with sufficient rapidity to attract great attention
and commendation, and to clearly foreshadoW
the coming glory of this great thoroughfare
But they have been constantly obstructed in the
most ungracious and unj just manner. At one
time there was great danger that the whole
street was to be occupied by double line
of new railway tracks, and the work wa'
at one period actually commenced Then the
proposal to remove the old freight track
encountered steady opposition. At last thu
first of April was fixed definitely a
the period for their demolition. Then City Coun
ciis were persuaded in weak moment, to con
sent to q postponement for few months o
this improvement, and now it appears that dur
Ing this period of grace the Legislature has beel
lnsidiously asked to pass law permitting tn
tracks to deface the street and obstruct the com
prehensive plans for its development for an indie
finite period. AS the wishes and welfare of tn
citizens of Philadelphia the last things tn
Legislature ever thinks of the Senate read
consented to this scheme, and the House AIS
adopted it, but not finally, itappears, a motio
to reconsider it was sustained. Councils how
ever, were wide awake, and indignant at tn
breach of faith involved in tn
movement of the refractory property holders
they promptly rescinded their ordinance autho
rizing delay, and rapid workmen were ready t.
carry out their prompt decision before the nl
was dry on the Mayors signature This cou
fetGt is decidedly creditable to the city fathers
and 1t will be cordially sustained by the masse
of all parties. The Legislature may as We
abandon the attempt to perpetrate another gla
Ing outrage upon the people OF Philadelphia
and Broad street. rescued from another peril, wi
be improved more rapidly than ever.
Too much praise cannot be awarded to II
City Councils, who actively eXerted themselv
to thwart the Infamous Legislative schem
While all who co-operated in this movement d
serves the commentator of their fellow-ctizen
Mr.. A. IL. Franciscus has been specially di
tlnguished for his answering zeal, and the fin
triumph of the people is largely due to the III
hinching courage and activity he displayed,
common with some of his faithful colleague
City Councils have now glory enough for OF
day, and their constituents will gladly overloo
few shortcomings when they remember the
action in the Broad street question.
ANDREW ia CKSON'S LEGACY.
CARL ScHURz, the new Missouri Senator in h
argument against the bill repeating the Tenur