The New York herald., 1876-07-23
The City and Its Wants-What W.
should DO With tho Metropolis.


The people of this city are profoundly
touched with the developments of the sum-
mer, so far as it has gone, in reference to the
city and it's health. The fact that, because
of this oppressive weather, and because of
our tenement house system and our entire
disregard of the ordinary sanitary conditions
of life in the government of the city, more
than two thousand children under five years
of age have died in less than a month-have
died from diseases that might easily have been
ayoided-has alarmed all classes. In addi-
tion to this heartrending fact statistics show
that New York is the most unhealthy city in
the world Our death rate is three times as
large as that of London; more than twice as
large as that of Paris; nearly twice as large
as in st. Louis Charleston and Boston;
eight per cent more than Brooklyn; seven
per cent more than Philadelphia. The duty,
then, comes upon us of looking into the
causes Of this calamity and seeking out
remedy.
The remedy is not merely sanitary one
If we propose to make New York healthy
city we must study the examples of the great
cities in other lands. We aim to rival Paris
and London, and some day we trust to sur
pass them in the march of metropolitan
greatness. Well, how is it that in Paris and
London human life is so much more secure
from the ravages of disease, from sudden
freaks Of the season like this torrid spell
which has fallen upon us, and to which we
are sacrificing our children by thousands
The reason is that France and England take
pride in their capitals and cherish them as
the jewels in their crown. In Parliament we
read constantly of debates about the develop
ment of London. The French even show
warmer interest in Paris. 1t is only day or
two since we had cable despatch saying that
the loan for the improvement of the city
Of Paris had been taken. The amount of this
loan is twenty-four millions of dollars. It
bears four per cent, and will be paid in five
instalments. So high is the credit of France
that already this new loan commands from
sixteen to seventeen francs premium, while
of the new German loan only one-fourth
has been taken. This shows the elasticity
of French credit and at the same time the
wisdom Of the rulers of France in dealing
with their metropolis. 1t is proposed to
spend this twenty four millions of dollars in
beautifying Paris and yet Paris is the most
beautiful city in the world. The rulers of
this capital see that the only way to keep
their eminence is to expend money. The
beauty Of Paris would fall into decay if it
were neglected. Disease would desolate it's
homes as it now desolates New York. The
increase of population in a city as vast as
Paris needs constant watchfulness and ex-
pense. Nor, as may be supposed, is this
money wasted Every franc spent in adding
to the attractiveness of Paris adds to her
revenues. People come from all parts of the
world and spend money there, and the result
is ever-increasing wealth.
Compare this policy with the miserable
system which prevails in New York. Here
we have a city which is not only the metrop-
oils of nation but of a hemisphere.
Paris divides her supremacy with London,
Berlin, Vienna, Rome. New York has no
rival. We do not know what the second
Centennial may do with Rio Janeiro, New
Orleans or San Francisco ; but now and for
generation we are supreme Nature has
blessed New York with many advantages
While Paris is inland on plain, with
two or three small contiguous rivers,
and without any special natural attractions,
in low region, with humid atmosphere
New York has the sea, the mountains
river. forest and lake all within morning
drive. A spectator may stand on High
Bridge on q clear day, and, with one range
of vision, see Orange Mountain the brown,
sombre, majestic Palisades, which look like
petrified Niagara the hills of Westchester
which cluster around Jerome Park the
Hudson on one side, and on the other the
shining waters of the Sound the Harlem
and the nest of islands in the East River !;
the hills of Staten Island the ocean far be-
yond. He will see three great cities and fifty
villages-Mannahatta, queen, and mother of
them all, sitting like an eagle in her eyrie,
with her children all about her. He will see
the homes of two millions of people, and he
will say that on no portion of the earth has
ever metropolis found filter home. He can
easily imagine, if his fancy moves him, what
city this might be in 1876, when we cele-
brate our second Centennial
| But, beautiful as the view may be, study
Of it in detail shows how far we are behind
| the other great cities. New York has como
to standstilL We mourn the death of the
children of the poor. We are the unhealthiest
| city in the world. We have done nothing in
five years but moan over the money stolen
| by Tweed. Yet if Paris were disposed to
moan she might speak of instructions, of
sieges, of fines imposed by victorious armies,
Of the Commune. Burden after burden has
been heapcd upon this devoted city, and
yet, instead of giving way, she assumes new
ones. In spite of the losses. the exactions
and the troubles of the past ten years; in