New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-09
TIE FIGHT OVER THE CITY HILL.

Recollection of one Of the most Objectionable
schemes devised under Tammany admnsfra-
tion is revived by the Corporation CounSels an
swer in the suit for damages brought by
firm of architects against the city They were
among thc competitors who submitted plans
for the new municipal building projected during
the time OF Mayor Grant and advocated win
alternate buoyancy and solicitudc, but always
obstinatcy by Mayor Gilroy. The suit now
brought is in the nature Of a test. we suppose.
and will be followed by numerous others II II
results in favor of the plaintiffs. The muhic-
pality, therefore, is already subjected TO some
expense and humiliation and may be heavily
mulctcd for breach Of contract We are not
nrenarcd TO saw how good its defence Is from
n legal point of view, but though on general
nrincplcs we have no wish to see the tax levy
increased, we hope The competing archliec's
will get whatever recompense for their labor
they are fairly entitled 10.
The answer Of the Corporation Counsel ex-
presses in professional terms the view winch
the local authorities doubtless wish the people
10 accept with reference to the controversy
The Commission says Mr.. Clark, did not re-
fuse 10 decide about the plans submitted Dut
was unable 10 execute its purpose because OF
the law prohibiting the removal Of the City
Hall If this is a valid defence in law IL i
nronprlv enough made as IA formal answer 10
the complaint but in the court Of public opinion
tho officials who strenuously endcavored IL
carry out an offensive project will not escape
Judgment through any such disclaimer OF re-
snnnsblitv They not the Legislature. are I"
blame for the present predicament. They We're
determined 10 override popular sentiment, ana
.,ul. Of tl,.r
than once their confidence seemed 10 be- JUST
fed: and when they had finally conirived |"
reach In, point of inviting architects 10 plan
colossal structure celebrating the historic ana
beautiful building which is dear to all intelli-
gent and publc-spritcd citizens. there seemed
to be no possibility OF escaping The loss which
they had SO long been planning 10 iniiict upon
the community They did not want 10 put mp
a suitable building Oh All unobjectionabie siie'
but 10 erect al enormous expense huge pile
which would ill the little public park and incl
dentally also numerous large private pockets.
For this purpose they excluded one site after
another as unit or unobtanabe, reckoning
upon Il general agreement al last that the site
which they had originally selected In their own
minds was the only one available They failed,
however with all their calculations. 10 estimate
which they were cheerfuly dcfying. They sue
ceeded In having one prohibitory enactment
repealed and thought they were safe; but an
other Legislature brought them 10 Il final halt.
and now they are endeavoring to ind a legal
escape from the financial menace which their
course has directed against the city.
The taxpayers will pay bill OF damages. II
they have 10. and console themselves with the
.l.t hay tod prplf
permanent misfortune. But in any case they
will not listen with patience 10 the shabby plea
that their rulers are making, in the attempt 10
shift the burden. The Legislature did It's duty
when il forbade the destruction Of the City Hall
10 further the ambitions OF prOhlgate and
despotic administration. 1t will not be forgot
ten either that such new municipal building
as the public business requires and the people
are ready to pay for might by this time have
been nearing completion, II the common ac-
acknowledgement Of its necessity years ago had
prompted the local authorities To begin The
work In an acceptable manner. They now COM
plain that suitable site cannot be acquired
II this is the fact. il adds another count 10
their indictment for stubborn hostility TO pub
lie opinion and the general welfare. They have
been thoroughly beaten in a hard fight. and
the net result Is satisfactory; but they Will not
be forgiven for making the contest necessary
nor for the incidental losses which may ensuc