New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-11
rur sWAy SONG or A BRIDGE.

Tho Noy-Yorll and New-JerSey Bridge Com
norv nuhliclv announces through its industrl-
ous and interchangeable secretary that IL INTENDS
70 utilize about four miles Of our water 'front.'
for one of its approaches. This Is high!
;rtorostino proclamation. At one stage III the
history of the proceedings which resulted IN
tho nrocurement of charters for this enterprise
from the States of New-York and New-JerSey
tho rrosncct of this audaciouS grab was the
subject Of some popular discussion, and sharp
protest from the city authorities was promptly
nrtored Tbereupon Mr.. Swan, who is not
only the secretary of the company but the
INITIATIVE father of the project ana us hoS'
faithful and affcctiOnate nurse, took pans 10
dcprocate through the public prints the ldea
which seemed to be pcrcolatinG through the
community that his plans involved the surlen-
dor Of some things which the city ought TO
rot,in Mr.. Swan, we observe, Is still IN a
dorrocatorv mood. for he has addressed to the
Sinking Fund Commissioners a request for a
hearing. artfully interviewer with pahceyllc
an the merits and beauties of the scheme. ms
document is an indirect response to telegram
which Controller Myers and Chamberlain Cram
h,vo inst sent to Senator's lliScock and iii
asking for chance to appear before the sen
oto Committee next week in behalf of the city
of Ncv-Yorll and in opposition to the enter
prise
II is proper TO say that Mr.. Swan is not the
nrcsont subject of discussion, except incl
dontally. and we mention his name only be-
cause it would probably pain him to be lcit
ont when the titanic undertaking which he
has been carrying in his bosom so long Is as
we hone. about TO be stripped bare TO the
public gaze Mr.. Swan is remarkable man.
Ills faith is equal TO his aSsiduty' task
beside which the building Of the great pyramid
dvindles into insgniticancc does not daunt HIM
in the least degree He has assumed without
misgiving or timidity burden which would
have made old Chcops staggcr, and carries 1t
with an airy grace which Is truly wonderful
70 behold And so when we speak with some
thing less than enthusiasm of the bridge prof.
cct with its approaches. tcrmini and affiliated
lines of transportation we particularly desire
not 10 DO misunderstood rs 20 the genius OF
tbo proiector. There are few men now living
or recently departed who could have breathed
the breath of life into this colossal embryo.
He now has, to be sure M unanimously con
forrod upon Mr.. Andrew II. Green senator
blackburn. of Kentucky, and few others the
distinction Of keeping up the draught at IN
tcryals when he happens TO be otherwise en-
gagged and it may be that some additional
vitality has been developed since they began
10 take turns at the bellows but nevertheless
il is indsputably Mr.. Swan, as shelley would
have put it,
Who Yields the Bridge with never wearIed love.
sustalns It from beneath and kindles 1t above
Turning reluctantly from the creator To the
creature. we are compelled to bring the fore
Going tribute of praise and admiration TO an
abrupt conclusion We embrace Mr. Swan but
wo repulsc his bridge. To some narrow and
envious minds the thought has occurred that
Mr. Swan has no intention OF entering on the
constructive stage in person. that he designs
10 part with his charters his franchise when
he gets one. and all the other evidences OF MS
ardent labors and brilliant triumpns at Albany
and elsewhere in return for sum of money
which will suitably represent and reward the
energy and skill which he has devoted 20 the
cause of welding the island of Manhattan t.
the American ConIncnt-in word, that II Is
q gigantic speculation and NOT a bridge at all
which he has been 50 fondly and felictously
nursing. But why imputc any but the nobleSt
PURPOSES? Why not assume that Mr.. Swan
intends to build highway, viaduct and tcrmlnl
at his own expense? There is certainly no
reason to think that any considerable number
of persons desire 10 cooperate with him. In
deed so far rs our observation extends, tho
inhabitants Of New-Yorll are too blind 10 com
prehend the blessing that is offered to them.
1t is our belief that they do not want tho
bridge and the viaduct and the tcrmini at any
price or under any auspices They are fool
ish enough to suppose that it would DO a
nuisance instead of boom And next week
they will join unhcsitatingly in the protest
of the Sinking Fund Commissioners.