New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-25
THE MAYOR AND THE RAPID TRANSIT
RJIT


Those who have been instrumental in franz
ing and presenting to the Legislature the latest
plan for providing this city with an adequate
system of rapid transit, and all citizens who
are anxiously awaiting wise solution OF this
great problem, have reason to be well SATISFIED
with the popular reception OF the bill intro
duccI ais week at Albany. During the few
DAYS that have elapsed since its provisions
were made public "A large measure OF Intelligent
approyal has been bestowed upon the project,
and no effective argument has been advanced
against it, \ feeble and partisan opposition
has been encouraged by the uttcranccS OF
few individuals. of whom the petulant and
narrow-minded dictator of Tammany Hall Is
the most conspicuous but even Mr.. Croker has
been unable 10 discover n single objection
which is not inspired by selfish political con-
siderations lie has made an ill-tempered dis
closure of his disappointment at the prospect
that this colossal undertaking will not be sur
rendered to the sticky hands OF Tammanyr but
intruSted to a Commission OF impartial, lncor-
ruptible and sagacious citizens whose exclusive
purpose it will be to serve the city faithfully.
In the opinion of disintercstcd persons oppos-
ton of this character is sure 10 commend inc
measure against which it Is directed
We observe with pleasure that Mayor Grant
has not vet echoed the hostility OF Mr.. Croker
by perfunctory criticism of the bill He has
expressed his surprise At finding himself named
rs one of the Commissioners. and has declined
70 give his opinion Of a measure which he had
not had time to study. There is no fault to be
found with th, reticcncc. moro especially since
il NAV be taken % indicate IN encouraging
Independence of spirit. If the Mayor had con
sidcrcd himself bound to antaeonizc any and
every proposition which has not been copy
rirhted hy Tammany he would not have need
ed 10 wait until he knew something about 1t
before condcmning the Rapid Transit bill. The
ririd discipline of the WigWam may yet compel
the Mavor 10 accept Mr. Crokcr'> policy ~ his
own. bur he ha, strong inducements 10 adopt
a different course.
First Of ALL he would find il extremely diff
cult 10 reconcile opposition to the proposed
solution Of a momoutous problem with the
frank and fine promises ~ his recent m"s-1g".
In that document he di~cam'd all personal
and PARTISAN motives. and declared that the
need Of new transportation facilities was SO
urgent and so imperative "a, to make the III
tru>.on Of selfish ambitions an mpcrunrnc'.
Furthermore. the Mayor is We'll aware that this
project offers him conspicuous and honorable
share i'm great and hcnoicent work. work
which will do more 20 promote the comfort and
prosperity Of the mctropo.i, than any enter
prise upon which thought and energy have boon
expended i'm our time \ r.~i nn~lhlli-y of this
charac cl and of such magnitude ought NOT TO
bc declined hy any citizen who j. not convinced
Of hi, own iucapacity 90 hear it Woithiiy. To
man of Mayor Grants temperament ana
procli,itic, IT, cauuo. fail 10 p" alurine.
The Mayor ha, laro opportunity 10 confirm
and enhance the respect in which his fellow
citizen, hold him. II hc desire, o. Joe regarded
now ard remembered always. not merely o.,
the felu.h,ad 90 triumphant faction, hu' Us
the best friend of all ,h" people. he may 90 far
toward achieving that reuo"u hy prompt
and cordial support or the Efficient. comprc-
hcnsiye and absolutely nou-partiNan Rapid
Transit measure which has been introduced n
Albany The bin contains mo- politics, pro
notes no partisan aspirations. SETS no snarc>
conccals no Doodle. II is an honest and hope
ul cndclyor 20 solve a problem Of vital sig
nihcancc. which every wear makes moro press
,,D and ove,v d.l,, ruorp d N.rulf