The sun., 1895-03-01

the formallty Of enactment as laws at Al
bany. The highest wisdom of man Is only
folly az compared with the omniscience o.
COP. The Government of the State could
not be transformed into theocracy, will
the Chnsnber OF Commerce as the inspired
source OF its authority, unless the Constitu
ton were radically transformed; but by
surrendering its discretion in leRisla
tion to that august body, the Legis
lnture would virtually introduce the
change into practice. IL must do that, says
HENRY VILLARD's newspaper, or commit
the awful crime of perjury, for which the
Bible prescribes eternal torment In hell rs
the penalty.
Has IL been demonstrated with absolute
| completeness that "when this Chamber
asks for" legislation " II can be set down as
right and those who oppose 1t certainly in
the wrongp" Before the Legislature sub
mits itself wholly to the guidance of the
Chamber OF Commerce as an inspired au-
thority, it may ask that question without
downright profanity.
This association of business men first ap-
peared as the director of legislation in getting
up and pushing through the Legislature
the Rapid Transit law. 1t was as urgent in
demanding the passage Of that bill as 1t is
now in demanding the enactment Of its Po-
lice Justices bill. The same threats Of
"pillorying" members were made. There
was the same unanimity in the Chamber
1t was as bold then in arrogating infalli-
bility to itself and denouncing its opponents
as certainly in the wrong" as it is now.
Well, the Rapid Transit bill was passed
finally, and what has been the resultP With
the same unanimity with which 1t urged the
enactment of the measure and with equal
assurance, it called upon the people to vote
away $50, 900 900 OF their money as a first
contribution to carry the scheme into execu-
tion. Immediately before the last election
it formally, explicitly, and solemnly pro-
nounced the project absolutely safe as an in
vestment of the public money, declaring
also that if the people voted in its favor, the
underground road would be built forthwith.
That was four months ago, yet nothing
has been done toward the construction of
the road. Not even the first plans for it
have been decided upon, so that no estimate
of its cost or its security as an investment
can be formed. 1t is nothing more than
dream, IA nightmare. 1t never had any real
existence as defined project. 1t was always
a mere crazy vision.
This formless, unformable, and imprac-
ticable scheme, the suggestion of which has
been rejected by all private capital as an
utterly unsafe proposition, the Chamber of
Commerce commended to the Legislature
and the people as absolutely secure as an
investment, sure to pay back all the
money put into it, wholly practica-
ble and certain of immediate execu.
tion if it was approved at Albany and
by popular vote in New York. This col
lection of business men had the assurance
to guarantee to the public the security of
an investment as to which they had no pre-
else information, and could get none to ena-
BILE them to form an honest judgment as to
it! They betrayed the public confidence in
them. They deceived the people.
Under such circumstances, does not fur
ther advice on public questions from the
Chamber of Commerce SAVIOR of impudencef
Instead of arrogating superior wisdom and
integrity to itself. it should rather be bowed
down with shame and contriton.