New-York tribune., 1891-01-31
RAPID TRANSIT ~ SIGHE

The unexpected ha, happened at Albany, ana
in thi, instance the unexpected is also the agree
able The best judges of legislative plobahlI-
tiles including General Hustled, believed that
The Rapid Transit bill would pass the Assem-
bly withcut much delay or difficulty, but 1t
WAS not expected to be in the Governor hands
before next week at the earliest. For the spirit
which put it through without objection at the
first opportunity the Assembly has reason to
claim credit and the community ought to be
grateful Indeed, the Legislature has behaved
remarkably well toward this measure from the
beginning. The discussion in the senate was
intelligent, instructive and unusually irce from
foolish and acrimonious dccamdtl"n lew
sharp dill hcIcuccs of opinion were expressed ana
vigorously debated, hut the history oi the mcaN-
urc at this session is chiefly record of con
ccs>ions made in good faith, AMI with de-
termination to serve this city honestly al last,
after wearisomc and cocty delay. The bill
finally passed both houses by a unanimous vote,
an event seldom pal.llclcd in the annals oi
legislative cnactmcnts involving great Iht"i-
c>ls and many complications. IL i long time
since our lawmakers have gwen 50 >iGhal an
cyample of the manner in which the citizens
Of a great Commonwealth desire to be repre-
>onted al their capital and to have their bu>l-
ness transacted.
lie TEIgUNE has already printed the blIl
rs it Ier; the senate Committee, and described
1T length the amendments with which it passed
the upper house ON "Wednesday; but for the
uurpo.c Of h,wing our reader, precisely what
change, have been made We reprint IN
ful! the amended sections OF the
measure A. we have said before more
pclfec, plan for putting the machinery of rapid
transit in motion i barely conc 'iyab'e, but We
do not believe that better plan was attain
abe. In defining the powers of the CommlN
sion the lin. has been sl,iltuly drawn between
dangerous license and paralysis. The city i
we'll secured against Il betrayal Of its Interests
i'm any manner by the constitution 0i the
Board and is quorum, and a the same ilrle
the Board is left with sufficient liberty oi acton
for all practical and useful purposes. The
section of the bill upon which the Legs Stature
found mos, difficulty IN agreeing Is that which
makes possible the acquisition OF new iacllI-
tie, bv the elevated rlilrc ads. In our Judg-
mcnt that section was wisely retained. AN We
said Yesterday. it would bee foolish % the pom;
of aL>urdiiy % refuse even L. consider the ac-
ccpt1n,c Of such offers as the Manhattan Com
pany may be willing 10 make, aN the iruiis
Of Icpcntinc. and 4 recognition OF the leglu-
mate richt, and dcmand. OF the city. II Was
cmiuontiy wis. and commcndablc 70 protect
Battery Part. num further entertainments, but
il would have been short GIFTED to shut on
the elevated roads completely from the conSld
Grafton Of the Commission.
Another most important modification in the
Ia, ,.tl.. tl.
New York Central Railroad an active com
pcitor for the new franchise. Some oi th" most
slgacou> student, of the rad transit problcm
including eX-NayOr Hewitt, believe that the
Central is better qualified by lis cXi>tlnI Il@hjS
and possessions than any other agency that
could be created 10 guarantee an adequate Ny>-
TEN o! local transportation. lis tracks now
reach the heart Oi the city and skirt one OF Us
watcr-front> and 1t is abundanly able to per
form any new contract which 1t may assume
some admissions made in the senate ON
Wednesday suggest The possibility thai this
great corporation may desire 10 take advantage
of new opportunities by underground cXtcn-
sionS Of its system.
Even in the first moments OF c0nglaiulatOn
over the fac that legislation has now made
beginning possible. the thought is sure 10 occur
that the end is still a long way off, and that
the road Is much obstructcd But the fact
remains that the first step and the most diff
cult one has been taken and that there is lca-
son to expect steady progress hereafter The
Commissioners upon whom great powers and
responsibilities have dcyolycd have the conf
dcncc of the community and we believe they
will retain and abundantly justify it.