The New York herald., 1874-12-28
REAL ESTATE.

MOVEMENT FOR JOINT SESSION OF THE
BOARDS OF ALDERMEN AND WHAT HAS COME
OF 1.-THE DEMAND FOR MR. GREENS
HEAD-GRowING CONFIDENCE IN MAYOR
ELECT wIoKHAM-CoNDrr1oN OF THE BUILD
ING MARKETS.
1t is not to be expected that the close OF the
after the protracted dulness from which the
ket Is slowly emerging. 1t is not matter OF sur
prise, therefore, that the past week should have
contributed nothing in the way of transactions to
supplement the comments previously made In
this column concerning the condition OF the ex-
listing market. Other lnf1uehces are, however, at
work exciting interest in the market and paving
the way to future OF more activity. Foremost
among these Is the agitation Tor Mr.. Green's
removal. The ultima tum laid down by the HERALD
in the name OF the people that the removal OF this
oonoxlous official should be the one great test OF
Mr. Wickhams and Mr.. Tilden's understanding OF
the popular verdict OF last November and the
gage future confidence has met with quick appre-
citation in real estate circles There never was
struck more responsive chord in the breasts Of
any set OF men than this demand for Andrew II.
Green's removal has awakened
AMONG PROPERTY OWNERS.
Nine.tenths of the shrinkage in values that has
taken place IN real estate during the last three
years can be traced to his missbapen policy. Real
estate, Notwithstanding the panic has suffered
nothing inherently in the popular estimation
OF its value in that period; but MIR. Green
succeeded in imparting to it quality OF
uncertainty In respect to It's use that
practically estopped dealings. Mr.. Green went
into office with legacy OF improvements
mainly designed by him and his associates
in the Central Park Commission, begun as system
by the Tammany rulers and at his advent only
imperfectly carried forward Had Mr.. Green then
used his efforts TO have that plan OF improvement
revised, so that In the spirit or economy which
was supposed to be incarnate in HIM the genius OF
1874 should not regulate the expenditures OF 1871
or 1872, he would have seen what improvements
had already become an encumbrance TO property
owners through assessments and nave pushed
them forward to a rapid completion, also their
extensions and such subsidiary connections as
were absolutely necessary to give them value.
Others, for which the property owners had not yet
been mulcted, might have been allowed to lie
over. But
MR.. GREEN, HIS AUTOCRATIC DESIRE TO GOVERN
NEW YORK
as If 1t were some petty German principality and
he the grand purse bearer OF some imbecile prince
quarreled with the heads Of one oil the depart
ments, and henceiorth anything like intelligent
action on the subject OF improvements became
impossible owing to the bitter hostility
aroused. Mr.. Green, having come into office
upon wave OF popular anxiety concerning
the satisfactory disbursements or The clty'S
moneys undertook to lord it over every de-
partment and stop the whole machinery OF the
governmenL-that is, once having got possession
OI the oiilce which gave nm the control OF the
citY's expenditure. he refused to expend ior any
thing that did not suit HIS
PRIVATE wHIMs
and as nothing could be done that did not suit
these whims or the interest OF his .'bosom
friends" we have q system OF improve
sss S Of ad
Western Railway, OF which 1t has been said that /,
began nowhere and ended nowhere. Thus sew
enty.second street, from the Central Park to the
Riverside Park Is completed. but practically use-
less, inasmuch as the latter park, to winch
1t was to be the grand entrance, is yet
in a very imperfect, incnoate condition.
although, like Morningside Park, paid Tor Dy ad-
Se 70 nant out another INJUSTICE that real e
tate men complain OF, ana to which Mr.. Green Is
contributing party. Land taken for public
then actual value as upon the prospective value
OF surrounding properly after 1t has been dedi-
justice In this that bears very hardly upon the
owners OF such surrounding property when the
PARK Is not constructed Ihus take
MORNINGsIDE PARK, FOR INSTANCE.
The land taken Tor this park was assessed, not
upon its value IN the absence OF any such projected
Improvement as q park in that neighborhOod but
upon the value which 1t was anticipated adjoining
property would reach when such Improvement to
forward which this property would have TO be taken
out or the market, was completed. Adjacent
property owners would be slow to complain OF
the injustice or sucn awards II the Improvement
reap its advantage. But when this IS not done
and they are compelled to pay Increased assess
ments ana taxes upon higher valuation cOnse-
quent upon that which does not exist and is only
expectant, they naturally begin to complain.
This Is one or the reasons OF their desire for Mr..
Green's removal The Boulevard, Sixth and Sew
enth avenues and ST. Nicholas avenue are all COM
drives to westminster county from the Central
PARK they are practically useless, inasmuch as the
cross streets nave never been opened. and ingress
or egre5s to or from them is well nigh impossible
except at each end Tenth avenue Is finished Tor
two miles above 155th street, without . single
outlet from IT. You enter az 155th street and
drive that distance, and you have to turn
round ana come back again II you want to get out
Tenth tn avenue and High Bridge have been assessed
also lOr square to be called High Bridge Park,
and complaint is made that nothing has been done
except the renting Of the same by the Park Com
missoners to Q Mr.. Scheder lor 800 per year,
to oe expended BY him on the grounds at his DIS
cretlOn, which discretion Is 1urtner said to have
no visible results. These are only some OF the
many reminders up town OF the Wretcned NAL
Of this city during the ncumbency Of Andrew II.
Green in the office OF Comptroller, and Tor which
he, quite as much from innate lack Of understand
ing OF the duties and responsibilities OF his 0ffce
and narrow intellectual grasp rs from his bitter
quarrel with Mr.. Van Mort Is mainly responsible.
True
THE RESPONSIBILITY IS DIVIDED ONE.
The late Mayor was IN measure responsible IN
that ne did not remove Green. me last Legsla.
legislate him out OF Oftlce, and the people were
responsible so long as they hesltated to set the
seal OF their condemnation upon him. This they
dd In the last election They relieved themselves,
and the responsibility now rests with MI. Wick
ham. The movement among the real estate men,
noticed last Monday in the HERALD, having Tor its
object the securing OF joint session VI the two
Boards OF Aldermen, as now constituted TO hear
an argument In lavor OF an ordinance providing
for an enlightened system Of public improve
ments, including rapid transit, has reached such
progress that the Boards have expressed their
Willingness to meet together for this purpose on
next thursday. 1t Is doubtful, however, II the
matter will be urged further.
THE FRIENDS OF MR.. wICKHAM,
with much justice, argue that such "A meeting,
with It's desired result, would be an expression OF
want OF confidence III the incoming admnlstra-
ton, and especially in Mayor Wckham nlmself
that is wholly uncalled or, and would be, IN lact
inuecate, in view Of Mr.. Wckhams hitherto pri-
vate record as a merchant and the plain trusts
he accepted with his nomination, pledglng him.
sell to their discharge II eGcted. Upon such
ureaf shnW claim NOW TIM Il