The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-15

The bill introduced yesterday by Mr..
Hustled is likely to attract unusual attention
from the fact that Governor Tilden is under
stood to have been consulted in its prepara-
ton and to desire its passage. The wishes of
our people have been so long eaffled that they
are in q mood to accept almost any law on this
subject which is not likely to prove dead
letter. All their solicltude centres in one
point-to have a rapid transit road built with
out further delay. For our part, we think the
Common Council bill, in the shape in which it
went to Albany, altogether better than the
one introduced by Mr.. Hustled. But the Com
mon Council bill has been loaded with amend
ments that render it practically worthless, and
between it in its amended form and the new
bill people who wish to see the work done
should prefer the latter if it is offered in good
faith and can be passed at this session. But
can it pass? 1t is not to be considered in the
Assembly until Monday evening, and
the Legislature is nearly ready to adjourn.
Unless the Governor and Mr.. Hustled have
satisfied themselves that it can be put through
in short metre they are inexcusable for
broaching it at this late day, when, il it does
not pass, it will only serve as On impeachment
to the success Of any other bill
Mr.. Husted's bill has some resemblance to
that of the Common Council, and, so far as ii
differs, it differs for the worse. Both contem-
plate the appointment of commissioners to
survey and select routes and determine the
mode Of construction, which is very proper
method Of proceeding. But by the Hustled
bill the power OF appointing the commission
ers is vested in the Governor instead Of the
Mayor, which is an undesirable change. This
community would have as much confidence in
1t is plain violation Of the principle of home
rule to make the Governor the directing and
supervising authority in q local public
work. If Governor Tilden's preference Of
this bill to that Of the Common Council
rests upon Its concentration Of power in his
hands his approval is more ineligible than
creditable. Why should any Governor who
has not on inordinate thirst for power desire
to control local improvements in all the cities
Of the State? But If we can get rapid transit
by this means and not by other means our
citizens viii be willing that even this bill
should pass. They hope il is not offered as a
trick and measure Of obstruction. 1t is an
attempt which nothing can Justify but sue
cess, and we repeat that Mr.. Hustled is mex
cusable for offering and Governor Tilden for
favoring it unless they are sure it viii become
a law at this session. II is more practicable
measure, as presented, than the originally
excellent Common Council bill as disfgured
and deformed by the multiplying amendments
As the present Governor happens to be O resi-
dent Of the city he would probably select
capable commissioners. and it would be
bright feather IN his political cap II he could
claim the credit Of supplying 50 urgent
a public want as rapid transit. Our
citizens win care little whether tho laurels
deck The brow Of Governor Tilden or Mayor
wickham If they really get rapid transit,
although they cannot give their moral appro-
baton 70 the Governors political jealousy and
his infideity to the principle Of home rule.
BY all means let "a have rapid transit by
some method, and If We can secure this great
result We Will not be very fsstdious as to the
distribution Of political honors and the pro-
motion Of individual prospects. If Governor
Tilden has influence enough 70 get this new
bill passed, and means business when it has
passed, we viii forgive bis exorbitant ambi-
ton and his trampling upon home rule bat
if the bill he favors shall turn ont by its de-
feat 70 be a mere measure of obstruction his
incensed fellow citizens Of this metropolis will
be apt to denounce him as false and treocher-
Gus to their interests.