The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-27
THE EMPIRE CITY.
Its Government and I'm
- prOvements.
How It d Underratsd-Addren by Fernando
Wood Before the West Side Association.


Park, the Broadway widening, the vladuct road and
other matters Of interest," after which no introduced
Mr.. Fernando Wood.
Mr.. FERNANDO WooD was received with cheers.
Before proceeding to the consideration OF the
questions In which the west side has q more
direct interest he would. he said, refer
to matters upon which, to q great extent,
the success Of all large cities must depend. Nothing
Is OF moro interest to people than that which
anccts them directly in their personal capacity.
Those things which we see or which are brought
home 70 MS in our daily walks are Of all otners the
most important, because the most felt However
great may DO the influence Of remote agencies over
our welfare, 1t is natural to be more impressed py
the present. though 1t may be less potential In its
final effects. This peculiar tendency Of the human
mind Is illustrated by the great interest we take In
everything connected with our municipal AFFAIRS.
stal esa LOCAL GOVERNMENT fieG
IL tangible and practical. 1t Is before Us NIL the
while. We see and feel 1t continuously. Il not only
visits the opulent. but every other class Lie
health comfort property are all dependents uT on
IT, 1t regulates the afr We breathe the KIND Of
upon and the physical and moral sfatss, which,
as people we are enabled TO enjoy and main.
laws a Hence inc lust 81 gSSa
tive execution Of them. II is not only necessary
that we should BE- governed BY principles Of integ
ments, but higher. duty devolves upon the local
rulers. They must have, besides, an appreciation
preparing this metropolis for the coming millions
who are yet to constitute Its population, not only
to fcIssef it, coming greatness and to provide for e
r. : .:ss Pss ~
tivasoc, the refined aud The opaens 70 ala
safSs!; ca ssS EaS sdds
AS an illustration the Central Park may be referred
70 as having added millions to the wealth OF the
also a. ons n es q
most enlightened statesmen Of ali ares have under.
stood and octed upon this policy. From the early
establishment OF Rome and the earlier Improve.
ment OF Tyre this principle has aotuated the wsest
modern Europe is full OF instances where this intel
llgent spirit mas accomplished wonderful results,
All great nations have through history had one. and
But ONE, NATIONAL CAPITAL,
exercising Its power and influence over all other
iocailties. such capital is necessary feature in
homogeneous and wel-knit nationalities OF Europe
II We are TO have great and united country The
great centre or national heart. How much grander
then, than any other capital OF ancient or modern
times II tnesc precedents are to be repeated here.
must become the metropolis OF this Western Con.
tinent !! To reach Ihs attainment is now dcyelop.
Ing aspiration q the citizens, and the highest duty
OF our ruleIs now what are the material agencies
TO bring about this magnificent result and what
must be the condrion OF this city when II occupies
this proud p0siticnf FIRST, we must have periect
appliances for receiving and distributing foraian
commerce This Is essential and indispensable.
Defence OF rHR CoRPORArToN.
gentlemen whose influence governs our affairs, the
Board or Public Works, constituted OF gentlemen
OF high intelligence and conceded ability a Comprc
ncnslve plan has been devised and perfected which
VIII equal II NOT excel FOR this purpose any other
City. The power over the whole subject remains In
this Board with almost unlimited authority Of ex
pendlture and execution. Certainly, II corruption
was the object OF our New York authorities, they
would have retained control over this vast sum re.
CURED In this work, and not have entrusted 1t en-.
trely AMI altogether to men beyond suspicion or
nidCent boulevard $50 feet wide, with nay
lest the chronic corporation croaIers p NAV
gr0an aloud at the vast sum required to accomplish
hs Let me &c, console them with ,he Tact at General
land obtained to this city by this plan win fully re-
paw the entire cost But even II this estimate should
duty not neglect that interest OF ali others which
has made our CITY what IL is-the commercial EN-.
which sucn improvements aiord TO It, IL il not tSe
charges on vessel entering q port that restrain
OF facilities Tor oa0nR and unloading cargoes De-
lay costs more than reasonable charges FOR g. e
faculties Of doing the business Of commerce The
three times as much they are hero, and YET it is
a cheaper port for ships to enter than this.
the grand period OF the clty's advancement IN
wealth AMI population must commence with the in.
trodnctlon Of more rapid system Of conveyance;
AS the Central Park Is in It's chrysaH state the
single object Of pride and interest to all the cIiizens
national PRIDE just Paris has been the pride O! ali
France, and as Rome was the glory OF the Roman
empire Of me Caesars. What has he done 70 adorn
the national capital was the inquiry OF the Romans
before awarding honors to her Industrious citizens
The Emperor OF France raised splendid monuments
being transformed by new constructions; and here
Is our work to raise the structure Of q national
cess; IL IS already an accomplished fact This plan
4 no experiments II has long been In existence in
Europe, Every railway enters the cities OF Europe
on viaduct SO assured are men OF wealth Of It's
success the ave million city bonds authorized to DC
assumed by tho act Is offered to bc taken at pre-
cess secures Its speedy completion. From his know
ledge OF me men Interested ne was confident that In
81 wbeny wears e we shall enjoy It as means Of
business and residential circles OF the city As great
as have been the changes IN New York within the
hat which will be produced by this railway in tho
future, and the west side win be The chief section
benefited. In his opinion, rs erect VIII be greater
than anything else which can be contemplated.
CITY ORNAMENTATroN.
within year or little more remarkable changes
norlhward. TWO years Ago every park except the
Central was little less than nuisance not ono OF
porary soJourn Of wayworn traveller How differ
ent nowl Go to the Battery and see tho difference
From sss ' he gamers hs s
opinion: and as now seen nc may draw from
10 fair and truthful picture Of tho elevation
and refinement of our citizens. And SO with the
city Hall Park and the others. change has como
over them which renders them objects or beauty
ana city pride instead OF The repulsve reccptaces VI
vice and NTH which they were under former ad.
We should be discriminating anu fair
IN our Criticisms, doing entire justice, giving praise
where II Is deserved and censurng only after full
aud appreciation or the facts. 10 Is
nnwisc TO fall into the common habit OF abusing
al atnu Arfls tfan.~
held up to public odium, soon be.
come Indifferent and qulie discouraged III ct.
tempting to 40 right. Let us give our pre-.
sent city Officers fuil trial before we condemn
hem, We have just now not only new form OF
government, but VIC have new officers TO conduct It,
ind the side OF the city this association represents
especially Interested. From Fifty.nlnth street. west
Df the PARK upward much ID yet 10 be done by those
entrusted with It's Improvement The great public
works. parks. boulevards, avenues, gardens an a
squares being contemplated and IN the course o
construction must be prosecuted and finished undo,