The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-29
Rapid Transit IN the Legislature
sHIovv Not To Do It"


The provoking neglect of New York inter
ests by this Legislature is trial OF the
patience of our citizens which they had no
reason to expect when the result OF the NO.
vember election was declared This city mad
reason to count at least on justice, II not
favor, after the splendid success of the demo-
cratic party in the State. This city is the
stronghold of the democratic party. Inc
Governor, who was so trlumphantly electeo'
is one of its citizens supposed TO be capable
Of appreciating its wants and willing 70 DO
anything to promote its prosperity not incon-
sistent with his duty to other parts OF the
State. The democratic party had been de-
nounciug for fifteen or eighteen years the in
cessant and injurious interference with It's
affairs by political gnmesters at Albany.
Municipal home rule was one Of the most
prominent pledges OF the Syracuse platform,
on the faith Of which the great democratic
victory was achieved. The people OF this
city were, therefore, fairly entitled to expect,
as one of the earliest fruits of that VIC
tory, bestowal of reasonable legislative
pains on the wants and grievances OF the me-
tropolis But the home rule pledge has been
dishonorably forfeited necessary amend
ments Of the city charter have been ignored
\ or pushed aside; the Mayors attempts to re-
4 form municipal abuses have been defeated by
the contempiuous neglect Of the Governor to
act on cases Of removal; and the most press
ing OF oil our wants, a provision for rapid
transit, has been treated with apathetic in
difference, as if it we're OF no more conse-
quence than petition for a new bridge across
some stream in a remote county.
A considerable part of the blame for this
lnexcusable contempt Of city rights and needs
lies at the door Of Governor Tilden He has
pressed other subjects upon the attention OF
the Legislature, but has neglected to press
this Instead of pushing our local interests
he has obstructed them. The excuse offered
BY some Of his organs, that the republicans
hold control Of the Senate, is nonsense. Pray,
what had the Senate to do with the Cover
nor's refusal TO act on Mayor Wickham's re-
movals? Four months have elapsed since the
Mayor forwarded his charges against the Cor
poration Counsel. Those charges were made
with the knowledge and consent of the Gov
ernor elect they wero drawn up by Mr..
O'Conor and submitted to the criticism OF Mr..
Tilden before they we're made they were
strongly Endorsed by the democratic organ in
this city but the Governor has taken no
action on them from that day to this. He
was at least bound to consider them. He was
at least bound to weigh the reasons presented
by the Mayor for removing the chief Of one of
the most important Of the municipal depart
ments. It was at least his duty TO investigate
the charges and decide question which came
I before him in accordance with a statute Of the
State. Assuredly the republican Senate did
not compel him to snub a democratic Mayor.
II was not merely rule Of courtesy that Gov
ernor Tilden violated. II was not merely the
obligations Of official propriety that he disre-
garded with nonchalant insolence for which
there IS 10 justification. He has failed to per-
form duty required Of him by law. When
tie Mayor submits a removal according 10 law
the Governor is bound to act upon it. He
NAV not be bound to accept the views
Of the Mayor, but he is incon.estably bound
10 examine the case and decide it on
its merits one way or the other. The
same reasoning applies to the other cases Of
removal on which the Governor has neglected
to act Besides snubbing Mayor Wickham he
virtually utilities law OF the State when he
conternptuously ignores grave official charges
against municipal officers.
The plea Of On adverse Senate is equally
irrelevant As d defence Of Governor Tldens
undisguised opposition to the Costigan bill.
lie was the accomplice Of the republican
Senators in the defeat Of that bill, passed BY
tie democratic Assembly and voted for by all
the democratic Senators present when the
vote vas taken. 1t i preposterous t. say that
his zeal for home Iule vas thwarted by the
republican Senate. Governor TIlden was not
thxarted, but gratifed. BY the action Of the
republican Senator's. They voted il accord
anco with his known wishes. II was not the
Governor and the democratic members who
Thought the same things concerning the Re
public" but the Governor and tie republican
members, which Is o ridiculous illustration
Of his speech at the Manhattan Club
on q well known occasion. What ex-
cuse can be made for his going over
70 the republican camp in tie battle
Tor home rule? H. was 70 be the oily,
the accomplice, Of the republican Senators in
their defeat Of the home rule bill; and it viii
not 90 to say that lie vas overcome by 40 adj
verse Senate. Why did he not act with his
party? Why did lie 20 over to the enemy On
this vital question? The democrats of the
Legislature made faithful attempt to keep
Tie home rule pledge Of their platform, but
the Governor Thought the same things AS
IT, republican opponents. Every iustifca-
ton OF the Governor is condemnation Of
the democratic members Of the Legislature.
The republican Senate did not thwart him, for
he vas their undisguised accomplish il thwart-
ing home rule. They from party motives.