New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-01
THE MAYORS CITY IMPROVEMENTS

day and with the goats by night.
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THE MAYORS CITY IMPROVEMENTS
No one of MIR. Hewitt's predecessors has OK
pressed his views so fully and frequently ON
questions of importance as the present occu-
pant Of the Mayors chair, but those views are
so often shrewH and sensible that the Mayor
can hardly write too many letters and mes
sagcs. All his opinions and suggestions evoke
comment and debate. They bring oonspcu-
ously into the arena of public discussion the
problems which confront the community and
stimulate public spirit The latest of the
Mayors messages, that on public improvements,
will excite wider attention and more general
interest than any document which he has issued
before. Mr.. Hewitt is a Newly oiker through
and through, penetrated with a conviction OF
the magnificent opportunities Of the imperial
city of the Western continent. He declares
that the destiny of NewYorli "as the greatest
city in the world is assured by natural causes,
which cannot be thwarted except by the folly
and neglect of its inhabitants" This is clearly
true. The progress of the city in the face OF
many Instructions and in spite of much mis-
government has been stupendous. The Mayor
is right in aiming to remove the mischievous
notion that Newly orkcrs are not public-spir-
tied. Tersely but forcibly he refers to some Of
the great benefactions which its generous citi-
zens have in recent years bestowed upon this
community, and touches with just pride upon
this "home of refinement art and charity"
No sensible man will dispute the statements
as to the Importance Of the proper care of the
harbor and the necessity of preserving suffi-
cient depth OF water for the commerce Of the
world, when it can be so easily secured and
preserved by moderate expenditure. The
Mayors plans concerning the waterfront are
broad and admirable. So. TOO, are the sugges-
lions as to the streets. The strong language
which he uses as to the urgent duty Of re-
paving the chief business thoroughfares is not
exaggerated nor is he too severe in denonnc-
ing the companies which ruin the pavements
as public nuisances. His arguments as to The
vested rights of corporations to which imprcv-
ident grants have been made will be approved
by our soundcst thinkers. What he says about
the impositions practised by steam heating
companies, surface car corporations and other
INSCRIPTIONS combinations of capital. will not
be agreeable to those who have misused their
opportunities and done all the mischief they
could in the effort to fill their pockets but
it will be acceptable and heartily received by
all who have the true interests Of the city at
heart.
Almost half of the message is given to rapid
transit The Mayor has made up his mind
that the most practical and simplest method
Of relieving Che present blockade is by sub
way from Fifty fourthst., under the New
York Central Railroad tracks, Fourth-ave. SUI
face car lines beneath Lafayctte-place, and
down the route of the proposed Elm-st. i'm
provcmcnt. lie also proposes a subway up
Broadway from Forty-sixth-st. TO Ffty-ninth
st. and up the Boulevard. On this subway
system he would have trains running at
high rate of speed and with sufficient frequency
to transport an army of people in the busy
hours lie proposes elaborate connections
and branches and an extensive system Of local
distribution of passengers from the subway
trunk lines. The plan is vast one and in
wolves so many details that it can be only re-
fcrred TO here. Our readers will find it in full
in other columns. and if they begin to read
this message, as tens Of thousands of them
undoubtedly will, they will hardly lay it down
until they have reached the last word. for not
only are the problems considered of the largest
Importance to every New-Yorkcr but they are
treated in tho mastery way with which the
Mayor handles local questions. and there is not
a dull word in the document The Mayor pro-
poses to commit to the New-York Central
Railroad the building of these lines, the fur
nishing of motive power and the transpora-
ton of passengers under conditions which
would be fair both to the corporation and to the
city. He says he has not yet consulted the
directors and officials of the Central as TO their
wishes. So huge an enterprise as this will
require exhaustive scrutiny in every part.
Whatever the ultimate conclusion no one will
dispute that the Mayor has studied the matter
viii diligence and has thrown q flood of light
upon the whole theme of local transportation.
The one great need Of this metropolis, to
make it city of happy homes to relieve the
tcnement-house quarters of their congestion,
to difruse peace, comfort and prosperity
throughout It's limits. to stimulate enormously
its present rapid progress toward hs certain
position as the capital of the world. is safe.
swift and convenient system of local trans
portation which will reach ont to the frrthest
boundaries Of it's territory. Then, as Mayor
Hewitt remarks. with wise municipal govern
ment g the imagination can place no bounds to
the future growth of this city in business,
wealth and the blessings Of civilization"
4 NIHILIST TALE.