New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-15
TO SAVE THE CITY HALL.

TO SAVE THE CITY HALL.
There is no reason for believing that in
tclligont and public-spirited citizens OF New
York are Indifferent 10 the project for demol-
ishng the City Hall. But if they were in
diffcrcn. or if they were tired Of listening to
protests against this contemplated vandalism
that fact would be an additional reason for
continuing t. oppose ii, so long Is the work OF
destruction was not begun. For few days
il seemed as if there were little energy lett
in the community to combat the Mayor and
his scheme But the meeting of the City Club
on Friday evening, and the feeling which the
resolution there taken has produced are en-
couragng Public opinion has saved the City
Hall once, and can save it again if thoroughly
aroused and emphaticaly expressed Tam
many cares little for units of opposition, how
ever respectable or numerous, while they re-
main units. But it may even now, inflated
with power and pride as it is, be compelled to
heed an organization of units speaking with
one voice of Indignation and determined hos
tllity.
We do not underrate the task OF bringing
Tammany into submission on any question OF
pubic honor and advantage, but 1t has &C.
knoUledged master once or twice during the
last few wears 1t eagerly coveted the margin
of Central Park for a speedway, as 1t had
coveted a large part of it for the Worlds FAIR
and was arrogant and insolent in its insistence
for time But fear of the consequences
finally reduced it to subsection 1t will not
touch the City Hall if it is made to understand
that tens of thousands of.votcrs OF all parties,
creeds and callingS are enough in earnest to
resent and requite a defiance of their wishes.
II now seems possible TO bring force OF this
magnitude and quality into existence The
CITY Club did well to condemn our municipal
rule in general and the new Mayors scan
dalous appointments in particular, the other
evening. 1t will do well hereafter if it keeps
I'D a steady fire against indecency and inefii-
cicncY. But it cannot accomplish revolution
in a hurry, and for tho moment it cannot apply
its energy in any way SO benehclally as III
swift campaign for the preservation OF The
City Hall. In this work days and hours VIII
count. and the whole force Of the club can be
employed at once. committee can arralgn
and prosecute Justice Grady for violating
statute, and we sincerely hope such COM
mIttee will 60 to work in grim earnest and
succeed. But the task of organizing and lib
Grating public sentiment on the subject of the
City Hall requires and can utilize the interest
and activity of every member
1t is satisfactory to learn that the City Club
is moving to secure the cooperation OF numcr-
Gus organizations having natural concern for
the general credit and Misunderstanding the
Architectural League, the Academy OF Sciences
and the Society of American Artists. 1t Is
still moro encouraging to hear that important
labor organizations are preparing to JOIN tho
movement Their attachment to beautiful
and interesting relic of the past ought to be
as strong as that which any element IN the
community feels, if the city in WHICH mall-
tudcs of them have found large opportunities
and made great advances is more 70 them than
a mere collection Of objects animate and mani
mate And they will be even more injuriously
affected by the execution Of this project than
MANY of their fellow citizens inasmuch as it
involves the permanent occupation of large
part Of the open space in which they have
enioyed light and air and freedom. Too many
of them have permitted themselves TO be
sel6shly used as the instruments of Tammany
tyranny They now have a chance to excr-
else a powerful influence to their own advan-
tdge.
As we have said repeatedly when public
improvements were IN contemplation there u
no sense in opposing every municipal under
taking simply because it must be planned and
carried out, if at ALL by a Tammany admins
tration. We want 10 see Newly Ork well
paved well lighted well protected well built,
growing more attractive from year 10 wear and
more comfortable. We do not advocate Il mig
galdly policy. But We remember that no
charge of parsimony will lie against the city.
In recent years many millions have been eX-
pended, the debt is very large and the cost
II expansion and adornment bears heavily on
great majority Of the people. \ new City
Hall in the near ncighborhood OF the old one
is needed and will be paid for without grum
bling. if honestly and udiciouSly constructed.
But we do not believe the city wants 10 repeat
tho experience Of the state in vast and OK
travagani fabric. costing four or five millions IN
url 50 Ct and ir m fifteen 10 twenty five millions
in reality. Above all, in strcnuouSly opposing
the sacrifice f the present City Hall we are
convinced that we express the Judgment and
feeling Of a majority Of the inhabitants of
New-Nork