New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-07
MAJOR GRANT AND THE BUILDING JOB.

MAYOR GRANT AND THE BUILDING JOB
If the preposterous scheme for the surrender
of the entire eastern side of the City Hall Park
as site for huge, unsightly and unnecessary
city building be now proceeded with-as we do
not believe it will be after the vehement de-
nunciation to which it's projectors have been
subjected by the public and the press-it will
be as a political job pure and simple, and one
the like Of which New York has not witnessed
since the fourteen million dollar Tweed Court
House was erected. The man responsible for
the job so far as it has gone is none other than
Hugh j. Grant. 1t is easy for him to say that
the bill authorizing the use of the park for this
purpose was passed by a Republican Legislat-
me. True; but when the bill was acted on
everybody supposed that neat and tasteful,
not an ugly and overgrown building was to
take the place of the unpleasng brownstone
court building and engine-hOuse and the Regis
ter's Office, occupying little if any more ground
space than those buildings, and really making
The open portion of the park more available
and attractive. The idea of such a shapeless
pile as the plans of the Sinking Fund Commits
siOners call for never entered anybOdy's head.
But some members of the Legislature wisely
harbored the sober second thought to which
the prudent man always opens his mind and
heart. The public was heard from on the sub
ject of further encroachment on this already
too much cuItaied park, and few days before
the adjournment some inkling of the monstrous
plan which is now under consideratiOn-if, in
deed, it has not advanced beyond that point
became known in Albany AS our readers will
remember, Mr. Hustled introduced bill post
poning all action in the matter for one year
that is, until the taxpayers and people OF this
town, who are most vitality interested, could
be heard from deliberately and authOritatively
Why was not that bill passed? Mr.. Crosby and
the other Republicans who helped pass the first
bill were emphatically in favor of it. But adj
iournment was at hand, and unanimous consent
was required to get the bill advanced. That
was not given. When vote was taken 81
Republicans voted in favor of the postponement
and 43 Democrats voted against it. Why ?
Because, as one of them said, " the Mayor
Grant has set his heart on that building" and
they obeyed orders in refusing to put any
obstacle in its way.
1t is of the utmost Importance that this point
should be made entirely clear to this public
There can be no misunderstanding about it,
Mayor Grant cannot transfer the responsibility
to the Republican legislators. The response
bility is his, and his alone. No vaporing about
" the law directing us to go ahead' can alter
this vital fact.
In the early stages of Mr.. Grants admins
tration we were glad to welcome any and every
indication that he was about to dsappoint his
friends and serve the city in really creditable
way We gave him cordial praise on many
occasions His appointments, we are sorry to say.
fell far short of the generous expectations which
his vigorous and high minded course in certain
matters engendered. But if this municipal
building job is carried through, we wish to give
him fair warning that his future political
career will be blasted. He is young, ardent,
ambitious. His future is largely in his own
hands. few vigorous words from him will
put an end TO this outrageous plot to destroy
the City Hall Park. VIII he say them?