The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-19
Some Pertinent Questions to Impor-
tant Public Functionaries.

40 Mcssrs. Alexander r. Orr, John C1dfin. wa
Ram Stetn,cdy, John II. Sdrtn, and Seth Lo,r.
GENTLEMEN: You were chosen from the
BODY Of this community, by q specially en-
acted law OF this State. to assume the charge
OF great public measure, that OF rapid
transit for this city, superseding, for that
purpose, officials chosen by the people to rep
resent them in their municipal affairs; and.
Whatever may have been your position as
citizens, II was, undeniably, an act confer
ring supsreminent distinction upon you.
But the high honor carried with it high re.
sponsibilty. Are you acting up to that re-
sponsibllity' We have been waiting, with
. feeling Of expectancy, not unmlxed with
anxiety, to read your message to your
fellow citizens upon the plan Of rapid
transit, which you have adopted, fully
and fairly presenting the issues which
your action Involves, that they may be able
20 vote advisedly, guided by Trustworthy
authority, upon the question whether the
city and Its taxpayers should assume the
burden OF responsibility which it will inn
pose upon them. 1t is urgent that you
should furnish such message, in view Of
the extensively practised deception by which
the scheme Is now commended
layed for a single day longer. The people
should haze an opportunity for reflection be
fore deciding an issue thus involving their
interests In the gravest degree; and they
should, at a timely period, have the actual
facts before them for an adequate considera-
ton, and for correction OF the misrepresenta-
tions with which the press is flooded. II the
duty had devolved ON our city authorities,
- hn kara I,aa,, Hail., L..
them aside as unworthy to be trusted with
the execution Of this important work, so
conspicuously transferred to you, the Mayor,
rs the chief executive officer OF the city, as
in duty bound, in all like cases, would have
long since presented the subject to the Com
mon Council with the proper consideration
OF the city's finances bearing upon 1t. The
elected officials OF the city Government are
not allowed by law to assume an austere
official reserve upon matters Of public con-
Germ. Nor should you fold your arms with
CZarlike indifference to the people in this |
matter, with the apparent naughty expecta-
ton that they are to adopt your conclusions |
with blind submission, as from a command |
Ing and unreasonable authority.
You read daily for you cannot fail to read |
them, the misleading statements as to the |
daily press and you give no sign OF dissent.
Do you not thus virtually allow erroneous
and deceptive representations TO he accepted
rs the TRUTH You are supposed to repre-
sent As we'll the Chamber Of Commerce of
this city, for you were practically appointed
on Its nomination. but even II that were
body superior to all other congregat ions OF
commercial men, Of any time or In any coun-
try, that charter does not carry with it any
such exsltation OF superiority in treating
this matter a. to absolve you from u
manifest duty, or justify an utter dis
regard OF even commercial usage and
the common rules OF financial deal
ing. II you, gentlemen, were charged
by tho Chamber of Commerce. or otherwise,
with the business OF organizing a novel
scheme, requiring the Use of the capital or
credit OF a body OF private corporators in
volving few hundred thousand dollars,
would you not, by every rule of mercantile
requirement, he Obliged to issue prospec-
tus setting forth the grounds upon which
such support was asked, and defining the
effect Of the measure upon the corporatorsr
because you are dealing with the interests
OF two millions Of people and the pecuniary
rights Of so great body r. the taxpayers Of
this county to the extent OF fifty millions of
dollars or more, your Official blgations are
not thereby scattered into nothngness. 1t
Is rumored that some of the members Of your
Board have informally decided to Issue u
statement next week. II this is true, we
hope IL will be made the formal action OF
your whole body. But why this postpone
ment until so near the day of yoting' You
have been in Office Ave months
day or two ago the NeW York Herald,
In leading artcl., doubtless inspired from
the same sources as those now 80 uniformly
found In the journalistic treatment Of this |
q question, made II known to its readers that 1
" no financial burden whatever would be ]
laid on the people" in connection with your 7
scheme; that il was to he achieved without
any practical responsibility or even risk to !
the taxpayers. This statement entirely tx. l
nored the real merits Of tho question, and is I
not of q character that would find its place I
In the columns OF that influential journal IL I
Mr. BENNETT were personally in charge; for 4
his Keen capacity TO comprehend the full .
'ignificancs OF this pregnant scheme, and his b
rigid integrity in all things, would prevent I
my such partisan and inadequate presenta- v
lion OF so grave = matter Let us briefly a
consider the measure and some Of its ineyi- l.
"a BILE effects, as weil as some Of its possible Z
G
Let US ask you, can there be any doubt i
hat the proposal is that you shall give con c
ract to construct an underground railroad, q
which you have approved by unanimous y
'ots, to contractor or corporation to be
hosen at your supreme will who need not v
'e the lowest bidder for the work, at the O.
Expense OF the city, from the product Of y
'onds to be issued by 1t, as you shall direct, a
o the extent Of fifty millions of dollars, N
he amount realized ON the bonds 20 he Il
aid out OF the city treasury ON your sole h
ouchsrs' When the road is thus con- OF
truetsd, does not the contractor acquire N
he right through you to operate the rail d
Dad for the nerIOL OF thirfN-hYe or fifty II