New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-27
NOT TOR :.

MOI ron 4 y.
The SpykeSmcn and Supporters Of Tammany
are delighted with The project Tor buildihs
great and costly speedway beyond the Harlem
and some individuals to whose tastes such an
undertaking makes special appeal have has
tened to commend il. aS they have peifcc'
right ID do. The right OF opposition. however
is no, less obvious. and we regret - observe
that the prompt and emphatic di>appioval Of
TIE TRIBUNE is attributed in certain quarters
TO partisan feeling In condcmning this eX-
tIayacant scheme of pretended municipal I'M
plOvement. which must be canned forward
under Tammany auspices and by Ialhiiah!
methods If at all, we are not influenced by po-
litical antagOnism. Bat it is essential ID re-
member that the organization which has devised
and hopes to prosecute this enterprise Is the
organization which gives Newly Ork an NELL
Gent and prohiga;c government and Is getting
enormously rich by that process, which eXa0S
a heavy tribute from every public operation ana
testers deplavty for the revenue II Yields.
TIE TEIBUNE recognizes the fact that II
would be injurious and foolish 10 oppose every
project OF municipal expansion and adolnmtnt
merely because il is sure 10 involve abuses OF
one sort and another We have always heart
ilv supported measures for multiplying the adj
yantages of living in this city. when they have
seemed 10 us 10 be legitimate and rational.
Ever, reasonable project which seemed likely
to advance Newly rk in health. morals, en-
lightcnment and attiactiveneSS has received
whatever aid we could lende, The parks
museums. schools, armoreS ami pavements of
the city. and all lis safeguards Of health and
order owe something we believe, To the III
tercSt and care e this journal Bun II Is i'm
pelative u discriminate cloSclr, and especially
at this time. Few persons VINO are not com
pclcd t. keep themselves thoroughly and con
stantly informed about public affairs realize
bow great an amount of money the city gov
eminent has expended during the last ten years,
the Obligations il has incurred and the magni-
tude Of the enterprises which IT Is now pro
mot'ng. The new aqueduct and reservoirs have
allcady cost more than twenty millions, and 4
c,lossa. dam is now under construction which
will cost million, more. The new parks, IN"
Criminal Courts Bnilding, the bridges and
numerous other structures, extensions and en-
belliShments which have been sanctioned have
called or will call for an immense outlay. The
last Legislature alone passed bills authorizing
the expenditure Of nclry if not quite So
600. 900. And the appetite of Tammany Is still
voraciou, 1t will make every effort during the
coming year 10 begin the execution OF rs pet
scheme for now City Hall OF huge proportions
and enormous cost and ali the while the de-
larlmenlS are making heavier demands upon
the city treasury.
The magnitude Of these operations l. partial
" concealed from public view by issues Of
bonds which high credit enables the city 10
negotiate at a low rate of inteic>'. Many oi
them. no doubt are essential and would stand
close scrutiny, II their nature if MT their
execution. But these inevitable and increasing
requirements Of municpa! growth suggest the
necessity Of rejecting such untlmely and reck-
less schemes as that which Mayor Grant and
Commissioner lIcintz now hope u launch. There
is no need of a long and stately boulevard be-
yond the Harlem devoted 10 the diversion Of
fast driving. The protence Of making the new
parks accessible Is designed Il cOncillate pop
ular opinion. Those pleasure grounds were not
acquired because the people had an immediate
need of them, but because their purchase was
an economical provision for the future. That
was the argument which was successfully urged
in justification of the outlay. The understand
ing was explicit, and nobody has hitherto re-
GREETED the decision. But regret will be gen
eral and just if this acquisition Of park lands
is to be made the excuse for an audaciouS and
extravaeant scheme Of suburban development.
1t is not denied that such a driveway as tbs
plans propose might be an ornament 10 the
city. \ splendid temple Of art or any other
stately and beautiful structure would be that,
and more. But the city is not III a condition
TO warrant such embellishments. We may see
the day when under chaStcncd and purified
| Tammany or some other pure, prudent and
efficient rule, New-Yorli can honoIably under
take public enterprises Of this character But
while our civic affairs are in their present state
while thousands Of children are growing up in
ignorance and Incidence because there is not
room for them in the schools, and tens Of
thousands are in constant peril from unsafe and
unwhOlc some surroundings aS they study while
OR waterfront is halfdcveloped and shabby
and the cost Of mere municipal existence OPP
preSsive, such spectacular decorations IA
4 ,nnd RnuleV1rd 1rn NOT for