The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-16
Ths OaIy wsy to Reach Rapid
Tronstt.

Transit.
The public anxiety for the solution OF the
rapid transit problem was never so great as
at the present moment Within the past few
years the city has pushed up to its northern
limits, and has already made spring across
the Harlem River into Westchester county.
The citizen has found, year by year. the dis
lance increasing between his home and his
place of business. and q means of inter-com-
munication that answered very we'll when
Forty-second street marked the dividing line
between town and country has now become
source of bitter inconvenience. The
street cars and stages have had their day
in New York, and an imperative demand
arises for an improved method of
conveyance for the people. We have already
noticed with approval the scheme of Mr.. East
man. now before the Legislature, and though
in its present shape it is not as definite in its
terms as we would desire, still we hail it as q
harbinger of long deferred blessing to the
sorely afflicted citizens of New York. We un-
derstand that MI. Eastman is engaged in cor
recting and simplifying his original plan, and
if 80 we would again urge upon him to strike
out the vague suggestions in his bill that rem
der it undetermined whether the city or pri-
vate capitalists shall ultimately undertake the
building of this rapid transit road. Let
there be no doubt or misconception
as to whom the task will be entrusted.
With five commissioners appointed by the
HovorDOr-oud Govorcn, III =: ,,o% I;1,oI,, -
select any but those in whom the people will
have implicit reliance-the city of New York
can safely and proftably undertake the build
ing of rapid transit line. The Croton Aque-
duct and the Central Park are sufficiently con-
vincing examples of what the honestly and
wisely directed public spirit of New York
when impelled by its necessities can accom-
plish. Let the city build this road. and let
Governor Dix-whose interest in the welfare
and glory of this metropolis is no less earnest
than that of any other citizen-be given the
appointment of the commissioners who shall
construct and control it.
By entrusting the appointment Of the entire
commission to the Governor we shall have
more harmonious result than by distributing
the selection in different quarters Who can
doubt, when the enterprise is placed in the
hands of able and honest men known to the
taxpayers, that the bonds of the road will be
certain to find abundant purchasers? Let
private Spectators stand aside and let this
road be the peoples road as much as Broad
way is the peoples highway And finally it
will prove the salvation Of the city and the
richest material Legacy, the present genera
ton Of New Workers can bequeath their
posterity. We. shall leave J. them ire
mendous debt, but we shall also guarantee
them splendid provision for it's payment.
If this Legislature fails to afford the relief the
unanimous voice Of New York: now calls for,
and strangles the measure which the general
mind approves, we shall be compelled to con-
clude that it is more corrupt and reckless than
any of its predecessors. As for the elevated
and underground this and that and the whole
host of schemes that have done nothing but OBJ
struct and were never intended to be projected
beyond the pencil of the draughtsman, the
sooner they are consigned to the limbo of
dead and forgotten things the better. The
public mind perceives what is demanded, and
in Mr.. Eastman's proposed commission it sees
the only reliable method of reaching the
great object in view.