New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-19
TIE H1PLD TRANSIT BILL.

II is a satisfaction to learn that Governor
Flower has temporarily diverted his thoughts
from the horrors Of partisanshp and IL con-
sidcring The Rapid Transit bill with special
reference to It's constiutonalty. fair infer
rnc,. from his remarks on this subject IL that
he believes the bill 10 be In other respects well
adaptci 10 the purpose which II IL designed 10
ACCOMPLISH That was 10 be expected. the cir
,1llnstanccs of the case being what they are, or
at least are supposed To- be. For when his mind
il free from political bias the Governor II nm
doubicdly capable OF sound Judgment on 4
plain business proposition. and there Is reason
to think that his estimate Of the rapid-iranslt
measure Is not governed by II SENSE OF parry
obligations Grady. 10 be sure. In one OF MS
impaSSiOnc moments. when flood or rhetoric
was surging within him. declared that ihis hHl
exhibited the arrogance of wealth. Bui Grady
is person who derives great pleasure from Inc
mere act ~ causing words 10 proceed ont OF his
mouth In his case the rapture OF uttcrInce is
neither Increased nor diminished by the m"ai
ing or lack OF meaning of what he saYs. lhat
is merely accidental and gives him no concern
He would have been just rs we'll satisfied II ne
had happened 10 say tyranny Of communism
instead Of arrogance Of wealth. And except
Ing Grady. who really cannot be supposed 10
count In this matter. we do not know OF any
Spokesman Of Tammany who Is nntagOnlzing
the Rapid Transit bin Mayor Gilroy, who
doubtless represents those who do count Is not
entirely satisfied with il. but he has authorized
the statement that h. does not care TO oppose
II at this stage.
As a business proposition, therefore we are
inclined 10 think thai the bin commends Itself
To the Governors Judgment Indeed, II Is
rather remarkable that no responsible person
has hitherto criticised those provisions which
aim 10 safeguard In detail the rights and IN
teresis Of the city and Of individuals. A Few
renonstrants have objected to the general prln-
cpc Of municipal construction and Ownership
but they have not produced any strong arRu'
ment tending TO show that the city Is invited
10 make Il bad investment Some legitimate
criticisms Of the requirement that the question
OF municipal construction shall be submitted 10
popular vote have been offered; but. SO far "a
II is possible TO Judge objections TO the rcferen-
dun do not outweigh the merits OF the Dill III
the opinion Of those who have most carefully
considered the subject. Those specifications
which were designed 10 render the execution OF
the project at once feasible and safe were p7i-
IDENTITY and skilfully drawn Judged by It's free
dom from attack Oh this score, tho bill Is an
excellent piece OF workmanship.
When he has satisfied his conscience by
panstaking consideration Of the constitutional
questions involved. we hope that Governor
Flower will conclude that he Is warranted In
accepting the opinions Of eminent lawyers OF
this and former generations and the decisions
Of respected courts. We cannot feel that IT
would be rashness IN him 10 act In harmony
with the Judgment of so many high authorities
I'm a matter TO which he brings the practical
wisdom Of n successful man OF affairs but
something less than profound knowledge Of the
fundamental law. III that case he may be ex-
pected in view OF what he has said on the sub
ject 10 sign the bll and by so doing to make
possible II prompt beginning upon IN enter
prise Of the first magnitude. For although a
vote would then have TO be taken In NovcIn-
ber the preliminary work which must precede
the popular decision could be entered upon with
out delay, and much could be accomplished dur
Ing the intervening months which would not
be lost, however the election resulted.