New-York tribune., 1891-03-08
TIE POSSIBLE NEW- YORK.


Wby is not New-York the most beautiful and
the most perfectly equipped city in the wora
II is the testimony of all travellers that OF the
croat cities no other one has a more favoraole
location. site better adapted to the hgheso
nossible development of health convenience
ocopomv and cleanliness Yet New-Iork is
6l,hv ctv in an extraordinary degree incon-
venient in its arrangements for business or us
provisions for enjoyment, with streets crowded
and cogged. with a network OF wires maklhS
mischief all the time and dealing death only 700
often. with water-pipes, steam-plpcs ana sewers
making trouble continuously, with no provision
fop quick transit from one part OF the lSlahu u
another. with the ingress and egress for hall
million workers every day liable to be inter
rupted by storm or accident, and with daily
burden of expense and loss to bear, in conse-
ouence of the cogging and delay OF traffic, which
il is impossible to estimate.
All these things seem inexplicablo TO strangers
They hear much of the grandeur and beauty
and practical value of self-government, and
come expecting to SEQ the greatest city OF tho
greatest self. governing country splendid Illus
tration of the capacity OF the people to govern
themselves wisely. 1t need not he SAID that
every New-Y Yorker is ashamed OF the spectacle
which meets the eye of the visitor. Nor Is IL
necessary to affirm that this city is badly gov
erncd. badly arranged and badly equipped, III
large measure because the people VINO hiFe thc
greatest interest as prOperty-OwnerS or the arS
est influence as public men do not practically
take interest in securing better results. when inc
noonlo of This city were thinking Of having the
Worlds Fair held here It was felt by every
body that it would be a disgrace to the country
and to sclf-government unless New-l ofk conlu
in some miraculous way reconstruct ltSet "i'hih
an impossbly short time. Without better mem
ods Of transit the Exposition here could scarcely
have escaped disgracefu failure Without a
reyolntionizng Of all methods for cleaning anu
care of streets. for lighting, sewerage water
supply and steam supply telephone ana teie-
graph service it was felt that the city was not
ready to invite visitors.
II is the habit of late years to cast all re
snonsbitv upon this or that party or political
organization. This is really most unjust. Nom
ing need here be said in excuse or JuStihcation
of Tammany or the officials II selects but u
anv other party had maturcd or could now
mature. a definite and wise plan for the admin
iStration OF this great city, mode OF mcetlne
its many Deficiencies and making NcW-l ofk
what il ought 10 be- il would not 90 before the
pconle more than once without overwhelming
support The fact is that all parties as such are
Indifferent 20 this policy. They are interested
in other objects, rs parties, and are not engaged
in dcyisinp better modes of living and dong
business in the city It is worth while to con-
slider whether some body Of citizens, political or
other. may not make this its especial and avoWcd
object. seek the wiscst advisers and the best
planS. mature them so far rs 10 submit some
tbinr definite to tho people TO consider and voto
for and select individuals pledged to carry out
such plans to the extent Of their ability.
The question OF rapid transit, for instance
has become the football of controversy between
con,cnding sets Of spectators and johberS ana
theorists II is peculiarly question which
oucht to be decided with exclusive regard to
the welfare and future prosperity OF the clty
If there could be 4 complete girdle OF elevated
track; all around the city, both for passengers
and merchandise. not interfering with the move
mcnt of surface traffic, and if at the same time
Lroad avenues. well ordered and beautiiicd could
nroyide more economical mode of transferring
freight between ferries and piers and the build
inps of the city. that alone would be worth many
If at the same time quick transit through the
centre Of the city for its entire length could be
effected without interfering with the local travel
that also would be worth an enormous sum. II
modes could bc devised and carried ont TO place
all water gas steam and other pipes where they
could be reached and repaired without disturb
ing any pavement or intcrrupting traffic that
alone would be worth many times It's cost how
ever great that cost might be. If the streets
could be cleaned and kept clean, if proper re-
ouircmcniS as to the use of streets and sidewalks
could be impartially and rigidly enforced, 1t
would make Ncw-Yorl different city. Is 1t
not possible that intelligent and entcrpnsng
citizens may take these matters in hand. com
bine themselves as n committee OF the public
safety investigate such problems without regard
to individual interests, and place before the
peopc plans which by united effort at one or
two elections the majority can cause to be adopt
cd and carried ont? If this is not practicable
then surely the experiment of sef-goycrnmcnt
at New-York can hardly be called great sue
cess