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

We do not think that we exaggerate IN the
least the importance Of the subject when We
say that the adjournment Of the present Legs-
lature without the adoption of a measure OF
rapid transit satisfactory to the community
would be calamity. We think it was Earl
Russell who said that it took about seven years
for any necessary measure to pass Parliament.
Seven years were necessary to inform the
people, to educate the members up to the
duty of approaching the Importance OF the
question, to win the attention of members, to
I overcome the necessary obstacles in the way
Of legislation, to carry the measure through
| the two houses Of Parliament. We may say
the same in reference to the passage
X Of bills in our own Legislatures
State and national It is one of
the phenomena Of free government that
Legislatures are long time making up their
minds When we thoroughly believe in
measure-and as general thing we have al
ways some favorite scheme in which we do
believe-these let's and stops and hindrances
fret us. Nobody is more impatient than
person who has an idea, who sees certain
star in the far depths of the heavens and mar
wells that it is not seen by all eyes, After all
this is perhaps for the best Debate is to
satisfy many minds, to find the truth and
make it manifest. When any Legislature
reaches conclusion it is morally certain to DO
the wisest expression Of the thought OF the
generation.
We do not know how many years we have
been demanding rapid transit A dozen Leg
islatures have certainly met and adjourned
since the project of q steam railway between
the Battery and Harlem was preached.
When the Tweed party was in power Mr..
Sweeny had conceived o dazzling scheme
that was to benefit the city. Bill after bill
was introduced Some passed. to perish in
swaddling clothes. Some were vetoed.
Others passed one branch to die in another.
Some were mock bills in the interests Of the
street railways, granting charters to persons
who never meant to use them. There was a
charter, we believe granted to Mr. Vanderbilt,
and it was thought that perhaps in remem-
brance Of the county which paid for half Of the
Fourth avenue improvement he would build
us steam road to the Battery. But nothing
has come of this charter, although the Com
modore may change his mind and conclude
to carry out its provisions. Then we had an
ostentatous prefer of shares in a new ele-
waited road, which was to be built without de-
lay. The people were publicly summoned to
60 to Wall street and buy the shares Of the
new company. But the advertisements we're
suddenly withdrawn, the project passed into
silence and we hear nothing more of it,
Every year bad its rapid transit measures
its new scheme or series Of schemes-under-
ground, elevated, arcade, surface. All this
time some influence was potent enough 10 de-
stroy them all. Sometimes it was politics
sometimes the opposition Of large property
owners on Broadway sometimes il was
money. We are far from saying that
every vote against rapid transit in the
Legislature was purchased, but we ques-
ton if any sincerely honest vote was ever
cast against it. All tits time the measure has
been growing, because every day Of our cty's
life is al argument in its favor. Every citi-
zen who has business below Union square,
every poor man who il compelled to labor
within orr city limits and live in the tenement
sections is an apostle Of rapid transit The
city has come TO standstil. That steady
march Of progress which has marked New
York .or 4 half century has become a halt.
our neighbors over the rivers have rushed far
ahead. Worse than all the reproach has
come upon Us Of being the city without houses
tor tie poor. We make efforts to supply the
want by introducing the French apartment
system, and in some respects this has been a
relief; but very few Of as have been 10 Paris
to see how the matter really is, and how com
Portable and respectable and proper we may
be up three pair Of stairs. The American
mind Graves IFS own doorstep, and taste for
houses in slices or layers is like taste for
frogs and horse steaks-good enough for
Frenchnen, but not easily acquired in a free
Saxon land.
50 clI this time, and in spite Of every OBJ
stacle ana dishoartening failure, the demand
for rapid transit has been growing. It has Ger
tainly had its seven years Of that Legislative life
which Lord Russell gives to every necessary
measure. Upon no question have the people
become 50 earnest as rapid transit There is
no special interest in one plan or another
all that is wanted IS something elevated,
underground, surface or arcade let it take
any shape and it viii be welcome. With this
feeling public opinion has turned with m
varying confidence 70 Governor Tilden, Mayor
Wickham and Mr. Kelly. These men, it
saws, arc the masters 81 the democratic party,
which is now master Of the city and State.
They have the power to pass any bin for the
peoples welfare. They have only to agree
upon q plan 70 secure its success. They
are above the influence Of rings, Of
railway Hobbies, Of corrupt combina-
tons. II rapid transit is achieved
with them will be the honor. ii il