The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-31
Tn. Rapid rr.n.,t Question.

ment. 1t Is too early 10 decide which OF the
recently proposed plans has the best claims.
and even if we had settled preference We
should hesitate to express it at this stage OF
the discussion. The first grand requisite for
success is 10 get the public mind of the city
deeply and universally interested in the sub
ject, and this end would not be promoted by
putting wet blanket on any of the projects
which have been offered. Honest zeal for
any particular plan implies zeal for the
great object and the advocates Of
every plan help forward the general move
ment by interesting a section Of the COM
munity that might otherwise be Indifferent.
Ii we wish the whole body of public senti-
ment to be kindled on this great question we
must encourage the application of torches to
every cornbustibe part and afterward take
advantage Of the universal glow.
We must not overlook the fact shat the in
'erests OF the city are opposed by artful and
| determined enemies, whose tactics consist in
raising plausible objections to every plan which
! has chances of success The horse car COM
panies whose profits would be diminished by
the competition of steam railroad, and the
Vanderbilt roads, which aim to mOnopolize
steam travel above Forty-second street, will
be- first last and always. the infexible OPP
ponents of any efficient plan which would
meet the wants of the city. The public needs
TO be on its guard against schemes originat-
ing in or favored by these hostile
interests, who have heretofore lobbied acts
through the Legislature granting powers to
build rapid transit road with no other real
aim than to furnish a new moral to the fable
of the dog in the manager Vanderbilt has
charter for steam road from Forty second
street to the City Hall. but its only effect has
been to head off other plans. Our citizens must
not permit themselves to be duped again by
similar tactics. While giving candid and
kindly hearing to every plan proposed in good
faith they must not be deluded by projects in
tended to postpone efficient action.
We look with dstrust on the proposition of
! Senator Madden for amending the amended
constitution with a view to confer on the
Legislature authority to provide for rapid
transit. 1t seems too much like approaching
the subject under the guise Of friendship and
tion should pass it would be a legislative inter-
probation of the new amendments denying the
right to take any legal steps toward rapid
transit under the amended constitution. The
consequence would be pOstponement of the
subject for two years, and, if NIadden's pro-
posed amendment should not be ratified by
the people, an indefinite postponement of the
IA
Constitutional Commission intended to put
perpetual interdict on rapid transit. If
they have done so il cannot be excused as an
oversight, because this subject has occupied
great share Of public attention for the last
five years. If the effect of the new amend
ments be what Senator Madden assumes,
the Constitutional Commission must have
been bribed and corrupted by the interests
adverse to rapid transit. The high character
of its members renders such q charge incredi-
BILE. And as they could not have overlooked
question Of such vital interest it il fair to
suppose that they did not think the amend
ments would erect barrier against the
growth and prosperity of the city
Nor is there anything in the re-
suit of their labors which tends to
impeach either their honesty or their intelli-
gence. The amendments are perfectly con-
sistent with the immediate and vigorous pros
ecution Of any plan for rapid transit which
can secure the requisite capital Special or
local laws on various subjects are forbidden,
but acts for the incorporation of cities are not
included in the list. Every city charter is as
completely within the control of the Legisla-
ture as it was before the amendments were
adopted. 1t is competent for the Legislature
to invest the Common Council of any city
with unlimited power over the streets and the
uses which may be made of them, with the ex-
ception that railroad tracks cannot be laid
down without the consent Of majority of the
property owners or a decree Of the Supreme
Court Of the district if the owners should
make a refractory opposition 10 the public in
terest 1t remains, therefore, quite with the
scope Of Legislative authority to clothe the
Common Council Of this city with plenary
power over the subject of rapid transit, sub
ject to the conditions just mentioned. We
are, therefore, constrained to regard Senator
Madden's proposition as device of the
enemy.
The action Of Mayor wickham in recon-
men1ing the Common Council to appoint q
committee to examine and report on this SUBJ
ject was honestly intended, and is open to no
objection. Such committee has been ap-
pointed, and their inquiries will probably lead
them to the conclusion that change in the
cha rtar is neceasarv for con ferrr O. on tho Tom
mon Council the requisite power. II this
opinion should be accepted it will be the duty
OF that body to memorabilia the Legislature
for an extension Of authority.
The bill offered by Senator Moore is in ad-
vance of memorials and petitions from the