New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-30
THE MAYOR And TIE TROLLEY.

If is unfortunate for the city and for Mayor
Grant that the last days of his administration
should have been distinguished by an act OF
gross favoritism to individuals ana rank III
Justice TO the community. His ofclal cohuuct
has subjected the Mayor to much Well-deSer'cu
criticism during his four years III the Clty Han
but he has more than once resisted strong IN
ducements to betray the public welfare ana Ill
so doing incurred the displeasure of men more
powerful in the Tammany organization than
himself 1t would have been satisfaction TO
a great number of good citizens OF both parties
to remember after his retirement to private
life that he kept that measure OF hrmness 10
the last defeating at the very end OF his ad-
miniStraton the schemers who have tired long
and persistently TO install the trolley III our
streets From motives which his explanation
does not explain he has chosen to abandon his
convictions and play into the hands OF men
TO whom the permanent advantage OF the city
is unimportant as compared with their own
selfish interests The Mayor has signed the
resolution, hurriedly passed by the Aldermen
on Tuesday, permitting the Union halfway
Company, alias the Huckeberry," to extend
its lines below the Harlem and operate them by
means of overhead electric wires.
1t is impossible to suppose that this conceS-
sion was inadvertently granted. The transac
ton was rapidly completed, but the prelim-
inares, of which the public knew nothing must
have occupied considerable time and enlisted
considerable interest within the small circle OF
those who were privy to them. 1t may never
be known whether these great and in.HrouS
privileges were included in the conditions upon
which an extensive and extremely valuable
franchise was conferred by the last Legislature
upon group of adrot and audacIous specu-
lators, or whether the negotiations which have
now ended disastrously for the city were sub
seouenty arranged. The patent fact is that
a dangerous nuisance has been secretly fostered
and finally legalized in opposition TO the pop
ular will, often declared and thoroughly under
stood.
Nor is it to be supposed that this particular
scheme of DETACHMENT AID spoliation stands by
itself, unsupported by other powerful interests
which its success promises TO promote. The
influences which would fasten the trolley upon
New-York have doubtless been operating in
concert The ostensible abandonment by the
syndicate which controls numerous lines of
surface transportation in this CITY OF its pur-
pose 10 introduce that system Of propulsion.
underneath the elevated railroads at first and
universally as soon as possible, was deemed
almost too good to be true, when it was an
nOunced a few months ago. That the alleged
compact then made will be willingly kept after
the Huchlebery" Company has rugged its
poles and wires below the Harlem is not cred
IDLE and there is little reason 10 hope that the
pressure which is sure to be applied will be
long resisted On the contrary, the natural
,uppostion is that This first concession Will be
followed by others, and that those who have
granted it have full knowledge Of the com
prehensive scheme to which the way i, thus
PFC sperously opened
The MAYORS offence is especially conspicuous
and discrcditable because in committing it he
violates hi, convictions If not direct promise
Not long ago, unless they are strangely mis-
taken he engaged to give representatives Of
insurance interests in this city amp.c oppor-
junty to present their protests and arguments
against the introduction Of the trolley. II be
gave such guarantee with the intention Of
limiting il to a single application, it was not
50 understood by the insurance men. They
supposed that they were TO have a hearing
whenever their own and the public welfare was
| menaced. But even if the Mayor did not make
| or docs not remember any such agreement his
culpability is nevertheless great. As the chief
guardian Of the city's interests he was under
an absolute obligation to give public opinion a
chance to declare itself. He cannot plead ig-
norance of the feeling which has steadily an
tagoni2ed and hitherto successfully resisted the
advances Of the trolley. His action unmis-
takably indicates his unwillingness TO permit
another popular demonstration of hostility,
through fear of the consequences. We take no
pleasure in saying that Mayor Grant has shame
fully betrayed his trust in the last hours of his
official existence but that is the fact and it
ought not TO be disguised or ignored