The New York herald., 1873-05-13


learn, if not the future Of the Scandinavian
peoples, at least what possibilities for the un-
born time they have within themselves.
Public Improvements Small Projects
Against Great Entcrprises.
At this time the prosecution of the i'm
provements which tend to develop the great
public interests of the metropolis, and es-
pecially those which will aid in extending the
city northward, are objects of paramount
value and importance. Enterprises Of q pri-
vate or local kind-as, for instance, the con-
help to paralyze improvements of more vital
character to the general welfare. These small
affairs can only serve to draw attention from
the great projects which, just now, are Of
paramount importance. With such improve
ments as are imperatively demanded enter
prises which are, gigantic in conception and
completion, requiring constant aid and attsn-
tion-we cannot afford to waste thought on
small projects. We do not want to see the
petty prevent the accomplishment of the
great and as the Ann street widening is the
first Of the small things to interfere with the
great we oppose it as ill-timed and pernicious.
General city improvements are the great
need of the people of New York. Rapid
transit has been too long deferred, and the
well being Of the metropolis requires that the
delay shall not continue much longer. The
annexation Of lower Westchester is matter of
the greatest importance to the commercial
greatness and the social and political con-
venience of the city. Without the latter the
former is scarcely practicable both on account
of the Inconvenience to rapid transit CON-
pany in having the lower end of the line in
one county and the upper end in another, and
because of the necessity of exercising thor
ough metropolitan supervision over such q
line Until these two things-rapid transit
and annexation-are accomplished, it is idle to
talk of minor improvements in the downtown
districts. The upper part of the island, where
roads and bridges and secure tunnels-indeed,
all the equipments of great city-are imme-
d&tely demanded, takes precedence over the
private interests further down. and asks that
these little affairs shall not stand in the way
Of the general growth of the metropolis.
The bill for annexing lower Westchester has
passed both branches of the Legislature, and
is now in the hands of the Governor, whose
signature only is required to make it law and
unite the destinies of part Of the sister county
with our own. In view of the immense i'm
portance of the scheme to the people of
New York, a great number Of whom live
from year to year in filthy overcrowded tene-
ment houses and unhealthy localities we would
recommend the Governor to sign the bill as
soon as he can do so consistently with proper
consideration Of its provisions It is as much
question of health as profit to the people.
By signing this measure General Dix may adj
vance us several steps towards that millennium
Of rapid transit so long looked forward to by
New Workers, if it doessbot directly contribute
to it's establishment n it should give us the
means of erecting cottages for the laborer
in locations where he and his family can
breathe the pure atmosphere of nature, giving
him home, at a reasonable rent, it will be an
inestimable boon But if by this means the
man of business and the mechanic, MS well as
the man of leisure, are enabled to live out of
town and yet reach their homes within fifteen
or twenty-five minutes after leaving the Gen.
tres of business, it will be blessing and
comfort that the people will acknowledge and
appreciate.
There are however two sides to every ques-
ton, and public improvements should be made
conformably not only to the interests of specu-
lating capitalists but of the taxpayers and
the general public. The question of rapid
transit has been made the basis of extraordi-
nary privileges to one of our great railroad
corporations. The Fourth avenue, for in
stance, has been widened to such an extent
that it literally divides the city, but while the
difficulties to the persons going across
the city have been heightened, and in some
places rendered insurmountable, the railroad
company is preparing to enjoy all the
advantages granted by the State but so
far has failed to erect bridges or provide
means of crossing the tracks at points where
excavations are made. We must insist that
the improvements be made in accordance with
the public safety and convenience, and that if
the company is to derive additional benefit
from the concessions it has obtained it must
erect bridges and provide the safest means
possible for the passage of persons whose
business may compel them to cross the
avenue.
The Comptroner's receipts yesterday were