The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-23

A Dogberry ON Uptown improvements.
Comptroller Green declares himself OPP
posed to any further prosecution of the ''up-
town improvements for which ''the people
are clamoring," and especially those which
are advocated by ''the rather noisy circle OF
west side property owners of whom Mr.
William r. Martin is the mouthpiece." 1t is
not surprising to find Comptroller Green OPP
posed to any public improvement. because
his narrow-minded. obstructive policy, which
be mistakes for economy is notorious But
the reasons be gives for his opposition to up
town improvements in especial are curious
specimens of logic First, says our financial
Dogberry, 'the downtown streets are, in
respect of their pavements, in O most dis
graceful condition." and 'Church street is
standing unpaved;" ergo, we must not open,
improve or complete any more streets, ave-
nues or boulevards in the northern area
of the city. Next, the lines intended
for ornamental thoroughfares" whatever
these may be, are as yet vacant lots, and when
residences begin to appear there" then it
will be time enough to think of opening boule-
water and gas and doing such work as is neces-
sary in order to render the houses habitable.
1t is difficult to understand what the paving of
downtown stree.s has to do with the laying
out and improvement of the upper part OF the
city; but certainly to Comptroller Green OBJ
structiveness is, in great measure, due the
present disgraceful condition of our pave
ments. Our rotten wooden roads and loose
cobble stones are legacies left us by Tammany.
These might have been replaced by good pave
ments long ago but for the steady opposition
of Mr.. Green. The inactivity in the real estate
market and the stoppage of building in the
upper part Of the city are due solely to the
fatuous policy which opposes all progress in
the stupid belief that stagnaton is economy.
Mr. Green first blocks the wheels of private
enterprise and then says because private en-
terprise does not go on, public improvements
must stop. 1t is generally supposed that
people do not build residences until streets
are opened and the improvements of neigh
borhood completed. But by this new light we
are informed that we must build our resi-
dences before the streets on which they are to
stand are opened, graded and paved.
Every great improvement in the upper part
of the island is a benefit to the whole city. If
we render our northern area habitable and
accessible we improve downtown property
and put money in the pockets OF downtown
owners. Provide the crowded inhabitants
down town with cheap and healthful homes
up town, and the tenement house rookeries that
occupy so many streets will give place to fine
business buildings. Increase the assessable
value of property up town, and the rate Of tax
alton on downtown property is correspond
ingly lowered We have desired that the
Park Department should have the control
Of the streets Immediately adjoining the
parks and places on grounds of public
policy. But no squabbles between depart
ments should be suffered to obstruct works of
public interest and importance. We have had
enough ofpersonal jealousy and of laundering
incapable policy in our municipal affairs
Taxation and debt are largely increasing,
while we have no progress, 10 improve
ment to show for the increase The
downtown pavements are, as Mr.
Green says, in most disgraceful
condition, mainly through Mr.. Green's oppo-
sition to their repair or renewal. Property up
town, as MIR. Green says, is stagnant and
building at a standstill, while MIR. Green con-
tinues to oppose those public works which
alone can set enterprise in motion. Yet we
are called upon to pay sixteen millions more
for taxation in 1874 than we paid in 1871, and
the debt Of 1874 is increased forty-nin mill
lions over the debt of 1871, without including
the present enormous floating debt the sum
of which still lies hidden in the suspicious
disorder and middle of the Finance Depart
ment. The patience OF the people cannot be
exhaustless. The future welfare of the city
must not be sacrificed to personal jealouses
and official incapacity, and before long the
demand tor a change will be made in q manner
decisive enough to compel attention.
The Shirt Of the PuIuft