The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-06
IMPROVEMENTS IN GOTHAM.
PUBLIC BENBEITs DUE TO RECENT
DEMOCRATIC IEGISLAIURES.

and Carried Forward Wisely and Well
New York city is now beginning to enjoy. and
is already In part enjoying, the benefits OF the
comprehensive system OF public improve
ments which are being prosecuted by the
various municipal departments. under the
care Oft the Board OF Estimate and Apportion-
mont, and In compliance with wise laws pas ed
by the successive Democratic Legislatures
Heretofore. many improvements OF O
| public character in New York. however
necessary or desirable. have encounter.
ed determined opposition in the Legisla-
ture. and when finally the demand for
them has become so pressing that it may no
longer DO withstood, they have been adopted
piecemeal. Rrudgingly and without any gen-
eral plan or purpose-mere Temporary shifts.
At the present time perfect harmony exists
between the various city depnrtm ents: they
work in unison. Tho recent Democratic Leg
fslature has proved entirely responsive to the
citys demands. not for State money to prose-
cute local improvements. but for the authority
to use its own money for that purpose
Beginning In 1889. tho sum OF 81 900. 900
year was appropriated by the Board OF Fsti-
mate and Apportionment for new street pave
ments in New York city. At that time there
were iivo miles of cobblestone pavem ents. less
than twenty miles OF macadam. forty miles of
Belgian pavement. In 1893 the annual appro-
priation for this purpose was raised to S, 800.
600. and this is tho result. in the territory
south OF the Harlem. as taken from the last
report OF the Commissioner of Public Works
Granite. trapbock and Belgian pavement. .3i4 lies
Asphalt anu macadam pavements. .......... 90 miles
Noooes'ohe siloo OF mile
wooden pavements ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS None
The leading thoroughfares have been newly
paved. and outstanding contracts cover 1884,
600 square yards Of new granite and 49,. 900
OF new asphalt pavement. At the last meeting
Of the Board of Estimate and Apportionmcnt
1t was found that there was an unexpcndcd
balance OF more than 100000 remaining Of
the fund OF 81 100000 appropriated last year
Tor new street pavements. 1t was determined
to repave Twenty sixth street with asphalt.
forming smooth highway from the East to
the North River. and at the latter point there
will be a paved extension to give carriages an
easy access to the piers and STEAMSHIP New
macadam payments to be laid will cost S123-
600: asphalt on stone blocks. S144, 900: and
granite on concrete. $4,000. These addi-
tlonai disbursements will use up what remains
OF the fund for the present year.
The extension and Improvement OF New
lork's water supply has been on a scale as
broad and comprehensive as the new pave
ments. The flow of Croton water into city
pipes Is greater than at any previous period
Tho hiCh-service pumping works furnish a
daily supply OF 2300000o gallons of water
to the houses on high ground above the level
OF the ordinary service. An average daily sup
scheduled figure for 1898, and the storage
ressryoirs At nigh water mark have capacity
Of lLOOO.OOO.OOO gallons. Tho late leCis-
lature provided means for preserving the
sources OF the city s supply from contamina-
OF sRoM Say
previous period and purer than that Of amy amy
fhe pubic BUILDINGS Of Ne New w0 YORK. archl-
tecturally attractive. have not, for some years.
comparatively with the growth Of the city in
population resources and business. Ancient
and unstable structures have. been used. and,
promises for the transaction of public business
have been rented from private individuals.
proyements. now going forward this condition
OF things Il being rapidly remedied. splendid
new building on Centre street for, criminal
trials. is rapidly approaching completion. 1t
is intended. besides serving the needs OF those
having business there. to supply fire.
papers. now in constant eopardy from destruc.
tion by fire. Public prosecutions will take
place. TOO. across the street from the City Pris
on. instead OF as now. at some distance from
it. in a building entirely unsuitable for such
use. The plans for new City Hall. impera-
but I'M ersized building now usel WITCH ie
size interior arrangement. and ,conveniences
wit Tt e ltd sd s.
tho city will be erected to, re place it. '''''
Nor are these more than a portion OF the
regent improvements completed or begun.
;, The city has recently opened a new Court
trict. replacing the old one. On the Vest est side side
Of town. at an expenditure Of $4,000 the city
has acquired I' land for another. and much
ings. OF improved design and perfect adapt
ability have been erected tahnroughout the city
rreproach Of q few years; ago. that several
thousand children were deprived OF instruc-
tons. no longer exists.
:, More than twenty years ago. Ger. George B.
Mcclellan was made engineering superintend-
he might devise a feasible and enlightened
plan for their DEVELOPMENT and Improvement.
la na o sa
ana ShrEss sEud not at
ment, OF New York undor its protecting wing.
lions. restrictions. and red tame methods the |
Dock Department has made comparatively |
'lGw pr"Tressd Inc Late sEsa
S
and rirarian metropolis. nnl the plans re-
better piers. additional dredging, and creator
wharfage facilities uptown.
BESIDES having better payemepts. purer
ngs. and better system OF docks and sewers
the city sewers are now 400 miles in extent
md thirty-seyen new contracts for additional
,nes are being filled New York is better
lighted than 1t used to be-. with corresro nding
there are now 1884 gas lamps ns and ufI isSi
electric lamps and the lickering and un-
teady lights which put Il premium. in some
ocalities. on deeds OF violence anu rapine are
low little more than a remembrance
Arecital OF the tangible public i'm provements
which. at reasonable cost. have been made,
without IMPOSING undue burdens upon the
'eople would exceed the limits OF newspa-
'er article. but n tow may DO montoned:
rected for the National Guard. new bridge
8 being built across the Harlem ut doth
trest, connecting with tho viaduct to Fort |
Washington Heights The Harlem River
peedway is another OF the public improve
nents. There is to be an additional brooklyn