New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-08-24
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR PRIVATE
BENEFIT

BENEFII.
The establishment of the city Is certainly
its enrichment. There were very few of the
great Jobs by which the Ring was enriched
and the public treasury depleted which did
not in large measure benefit the owners of
property adjacent to the improvements, and in
lesser degree the entire city. Whatever makes
the city more attractive to population adds to
its wealth. These are propositions so PLAIN
and facts so well known that the most dis
contented taxpayer will hardly venture to
dispute them.
But it is possible to run this matter OF en-
bellishment and improvement of the city into
such extremes as to become oppressive. we
have lately exposed several proposed improve
ments of such doubtful character and so sus-
picious as Ring legacies that it seems to us
needful to cry halt ere the public treasury IL
impoverished and the general taxpayer rise
up in indignation against the special prop
erty-hoder who benefits his section and him.
self at the cost of the city at large. We have
never been satisfied of the absolute need OF
the Riverside Park, though we have not OPP
posed it; but the strenuous opposition OF
many property owners in its vicinity indicates
that there are good reasons, better perhaps
than we have urged, why the matter should
be still closer canvassed before the city Is
committed to its construction. The continue
ton of the Boulevard by way of Kingsbridge-
road to Harlem River is a necessity OF the
West Side as clearly as Thirdave. is of the
East Side but how the two proposed roads
along the top of Washington Nights are to
benefit any other section of the city is more
difficult of demonstration. The bridge and
proposed Harlem Tunnel are necessities arising
from our rapid northward progress; but pre-
cisely what good to all is to come from the
adaptation of Harlem flats to the occasional
uses of a parade ground is inconceivable.
This is the latest of the many contemplated
frauds which we have developed, and one
which we insist must not be persisted IN by
the Park Commissioners and other authorities
to whom power in the matter has been del
egated. The scheme was concocted by few
of the old Ring for their personal benefit.
They obtained possession of swamp lands at
low prices, fixed legislation so that the lands
would be in demand, corruptly arranged for
the public occupation of their property at ex-
trayagant rates, and now that the storm of Re-
form which disturbed their plans year ago
has "blown over,n they are seeking to COM
plete the swindle. The National Guard does
not need such parade ground to begin with;
there are ample areas for such displays in Cen
trail Park or the public squares; and in the
last place the Harlem swamps are untitled for
the purpose. This old Ring swindlo needs but
exposure to explode it.
The revival Of the old fraud involved in the
removal of the stoops in Fifth-aye., and the
widening of a street already ample for all the
business it does, smacks very decidedly OF
Matchmaking. For eight years past this
scheme has almost annually been agitated in
the Common Councils of the Ring Govern
ment solely for the purpose of compelling
Fifth-ave. residents to spend money in resist
ing it. 1t is a scandal that Reform Council
should have revived it. To be sure, there is
some slight excuse for it now in the rapid de-
velopment Of a certain class of business In
lower Fifth-ave., but the street is wide enough
for all business purposes for half century to
come, and to disturb the houses on the thor
oughfare now would be inexcusable and
oppressive to property-Owners. The subject
is to be decided in the Council on Sept. 3.
We hope to see it dropped before that time,
never to be revived.