The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-04

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franchise to the proper parties after due in
quiry and advertisement; to see that all bids
or proposals ore genuine; to arrange the fares
and the manner of operating the road, and to
build necessary bridge. This act forbids a
railroad along Broadway and Fifth avenue
THIS as our readers will see, is general
measure. 1t does nothing so far as accepting
any of the proposed plans and methods is
concerned. 1t does not commit the State to
any special scheme or to any one plan. 1t
transfers the power where it belongs-to
the Mayor aud Councils. Under this
bill there is no reason why we should
not have measure of rapid transit that will
satisfy all the wants of the people. 1t might
be better in some respects to have private
company take charge of this enterprise, to
manage it upon the same principles that
govern the other roads in and around New
York. But the misfortune is that in conduct
ing all these minor enterprises private interests
clash ard lead to bitterness and controversy
and failure. As general thing we should
prefer not to have a road of any kind under
the control Of our city authorities The mis-
fortune of the government of New York, as
with the city and country, is that too much
patronage is in the hands Of officers elected
by the people and in many respects by cor
rupt franchise. If Tammany Hall had given
US a sound civil service system there would
be no reason for fearing bill like that before
the Legislature, but in the present condition
Of politics we either must take what is
offered by the bill of the Common Council or
postpone rapid transit to another season.
AS we have said, to postpone rapid transit
is the virtual abandonment by the democratic
party Of its power in this city and this State.
The necessity for measure OF this kind is as
great as that which prompted the opening OF
the Erie Canal. The great Governor of New
York, De Witt Clinton, in conceiving and full
filling the Erie Canal, gave an impetus to the
growth of New York and to the permanence
Of his own fame that Governor Tilden might
well envy We are anxious that our Governor
should justify the expectations formed of him
by his friends, and that the party of which he
is the natural leader should not throw away
its opportunities in the city and in the nation.
Although rapid transit may be dismissed by
some of our sentimental politicians as
matter concerning only the interests
Of New York, it is not too much to say
that no party born as the democracy is in
New York can neglect the interests of the city
aud expect to win the favor of the nation.
Therefore the duty of our politicians and of
all our citizens who are not insensible to the
opportunity of the hour, to the demand which
all classes make upon the government for the
perfection of rapid transit system, is to &C
cept the bill sent TO Albany by our Mayor
and Common Council, and compel its adop-
ton by every influence in their power This
bill means rapid transit, and every member
who votes against it accepts the odium that
justly falls upon those who claim to represent
the people, and VINO prove themselves I'M
worthy OF their confidence and esteem.