New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-03
r.prD TR1NsTT COMPLICATIONS.

NO~N~ - ~
The acquiescence of the Legislature In the
demand of the Joint Committee for two more
days in which to consider Mayor Grants Rapid
Transit bill has naturally called out q great
deal of criticism, Some of it irrelevant, some OF
It abusive and some Of it legitimate and in
str,ctiye. Of course, delay of forty-eight
hours is not important in itself, but only for
what It may reasonably be supposed to signify.
Equally Of course there is no doubt that the
Mayors scheme is opposed at Albany by the
adroit and painstaking representatives Of hos
tile interests. The Manhattan Company has
openly expressed its opposition by letter and
arguments addressed directly to the Mayor, and
has since repeated that unsatisfactory effort al
the capital. The Arcade and the Cable road
people have probably been not less active in
bringing their views to the notice Of the men,
bers of the Legislature. There is nothing
alarming or disreputable in this mere fact.
THE TRIBUNE is conspicuously on record in
favor of the Mayors plan and against all other
schemes and combinations, but we are not the
less willing on that account to let information
accumulate, and nothing is likely to be gained
now or hereafter in attributing disgraceful
motives TO those who are DESTROYS Of listening
10 further argument.
AT the same time, this seems to be proper
moment for reminding the Legislature that
their constituents, and especially the people OF
this city, are watching them very closely. They
are watching not only TO see whether their
representatives are treating this business in a
perfectly honest and straightforward manner,
but also to determine how much sagacity, dis
fhn sit.
uation they are bringing to bear. Rapid
transit is not an insignificant and ephemerai
interest TO the citizens of New-York. 1t is
literally true that no other subject whatsoever
so yitally and consciously concerns so many
persons. 1t is of immediate, unavoidable and
constantly increasing importance to men, wonn-
en- and children of all ages and conditions In
life. We have opposed the expansion OF the
elevated railroad system because we believed
it was inherently incapable Of solving the prob
lem without greater sacrifices on the part Of
the people than there was any need OF sub
uniting to, and we have opposed the Arcade
and Gable projects for kindred reasons. We
have supported and continue to support the
Mayors plan of operations, because it oontem-
plates ut the outset q thorough and impartial
study Of the requirements, proposes to lay o
broad foundation, guarantees an adequate
recompense for whatever the city may have to
surrender, takes the future into account, com
nlits US to no special or partial solution, and
supplies proper safeguards against laundering
or corruption.
We want, moreover, to remind the Legis-
lature that the people of this city would regard
with extreme dissatisfaction any convincing
evidence that the several enterprises which
have been antagonizing the Mayors plan In
diyidually had combined to defeat it, They
have no natural interests in common, and their
combination for special purpose would inevi-
tably suggest many disquieting reflections. The
Joint Committee gives an extra hearing TO-
. night II ought to be instructive and illum-
mating. Inasmuch as the request for more
time was granted, it ought to be well applied.
The people would be sorry to know that the
committee and the Legislature had learned
nothing during the two days Of grace, and still
sorrier to know that they had learned anything
of which they might better have remained in
ignorance.
Finally, we want to remind the Legislature
that the newspapers Of this city are not often
In agreement upon public measure, and that
when they are they necessarily speak for vast
majority OF the people. Their united utteraDce
cannot safely be disregarded by men who have
the welfare of Ecw-York at heart, and who,
having the welfare Of New-York under their
control, are mindful of their own reputation
and interests. We are not anxious to ruffle
the suscsptbilities of single one Of our law
makers by magnifying the press, but when II
represents the popular judgment and prefer
ence as Enthusiastically as it does in the present
instance the people are very apt TO notice and
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