The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-24

craftsmanship and combinations, to vague
and sounding declarations on general prin.
ciples. Governor Tilden, for instance, finds
no more interesting subject for special mes
sage than the affairs of Louisiana and the in
reference of General Grant. He has found
no such theme in the growth and develop
ment of New York. We are persuaded that
Governor Tilden and Mayor Wickham could
win an enduring fame by giving their atten-
ton to the domestic questions of this metrop-
oils rather than to lofty declarations about
federal wrongs and Southern rights. De
Witt Clinton is remembered, not for
his opinions on the embargo, or Mon
roe's foreign policy, or Adams admin
istration, but because he gave New York the
Erie Canal. Governor Clinton had opinions
on these high questions as confirmed as those
/ of Governor Tilden. He saw, what we trust
| Governor Tilden himself Sees that the fame
which comes from establishing one great work
Of national improvement will be far more
enduring than thousand volumes of political
discussion.
De Witt Clinton's opportunity was the Erie
Canal Governor Tilden's is rapid transit.
The question has become of much impor-
lance to the growth of New York city as the
Erie Canal was to the growth of the State
Look for moment at the figures, as we find
them in the latest census reports:-In 1920
New York and Philadelphia started even in
the race, the census showing difference of
bur forty people in the population of the
two cities. The success of the Erie Canal
gave our city and State an advan-
tage which our sister Commonwealth
has never interrupted. So we find
New York steadily growing from 123,9O6 in
1920 to population in 1860 of 813, 669. Dur
ing this time Philadelphia attained something
over $4,000 While the growth of Philadel-
phia represents simply one city, that of
New York shows the rise of other cities
around it-Brooklyn, Williamsburg Hoboken,
Jersey City, Newark, all really part of New
York and fragments Of the metropolis. While
we find the steady growth of New York
from 1920 to 1860 attributed to general causes
of prosperity and enterprise, we note that
between 1860 and 1870 something arrests this
development. Within these ten years Brook
lyn advanced largely. Elizabeth doubled in
population, Paterson, Newark and Hoboken
increased at the same rate, and Jersey City
nearly trebled her population. During these
ten years the natural increase of New York
is less on an average than any other
of our leading cities except New Orleans
Low resting under the blight of miserable
| government. It shows also that in the sur
rounding towns there has been an unusual
increase. If we look at the natural situation
of these cities We find that there are many
obstacles. New York is divided from her
suburbs in New Jersey and Kings county by
rivers. In wintry weather like the present
! they are impossible. Even under the most
favorable circumstances they are discom-
fort. Consequently the tendency Of the
growth of New York in population would
never naturally DE toward Brooklyn or
Jersey City, with the forbidding ferries be-
tween, and the uncertainty every winter
morning whether the night will not close
the channels of navigation. The country
around New York Island and beyond
the Harlem River is more attractive, more
healthy, freer from malaria and marshy in
fuences than in New Jersey, or even in Kings.
The tendency Of our growth, therefore, is
toward Westchester and the upper part of the
island. In spite of this we find that the city
has come to standstill; that it is in con-
dition of atrophy that all around new COM
munties are becoming fat with its prosperity.
Now, if question of national improvement,
like the Erie Canal, could under a great
statesman like De Witt Clinton, become the
means of reviving New York State, why can
not Governor Tilden and Mayor Wickham
and the party in power do as much for the
city? Rapid transit is not merely want, but
necessity. 1t is not simply an advantage,
but question of life and death. We might
show conc!usively by the records that because
of the want of free and speedy communication
with our suburbs the city has come to a stand
still. The question will soon arise whether
the city is the metropolis or only suburb OF
some greater city to grow up on the Jersey OF
; Kings county shore. Now, we do not envy
the prosperity of our neighbors. We rejoice
that Jersey City has taken prodigious strides.
We trust that it will increase. The source OF
this wealth Is in New York. Here is found
the money which builds these towns The
men who made them arc our neighbors and
friends whom we meet in everyday business
life. They do not seek these outside suburbs
because they prefer it, but because they are
driven away New York should be their
home. But they are driven out. They take
their money and the enterprise that should
strengthen and advance the city More than
all, New York is to-day Reproduced because,
unlxe any other city in the Union, it is the
d. home of beggars and millionnaires. The great
manufacturing, laboring, professional classes
which form the basis of prosperity cannot
find a resting place. Land is too high. rents
are too dear taxes are too heavy There is