New-York tribune., 1895-10-13

4
Rear tcnemcnts are an aflliction and a
nuisance in this city Legislation in recent years
has done much TO mitigate the discomforts and
troubles Of tenement life, but great deal re
mains 10 be done before the sanitary condition
Of the tenement districts and the arrangements
for comfortable living in those quarters shall De
nut on a satisfactory basis. II would be SUD
stantial gain 10 the metropolis in many ways II
all the rear tcncments now In existence could be
DESTROYED These structures behind the build
inrs fronting on the streets interfere with me
ventilation and with the sanitary equipment or
the buildings which stand before them. 1t was
an unfortunate mistake that any property-own-
crs were ever allowed 10 construct rear tene-
ments and Ncw-York can never reach the posi-
tion which she ought To hold among the great
cities Of the world until rear tenemcnts and
structures of that sort have been swept out OF
existence.
In recent editorial articles The Tribune has
dwclt upon the natural advantages which this
community POSSESSES II New-York had been
laid out upon an Intelligent and far sighted plan,
II the methods under which its streets and ave
nues were projected and It's buildings Of all
sorts were put mp had been devised many years
transcendent future Of this metropolis. this might
he model city. It must be admitted that the
general plan Of the avenues and streets above
Fourcenih-st. exhibits some advantages rs wei
as some conspicuous defects. But the most con
scrva.ive and stubborn adherents Of old customs
and old habits cannot deny that large parts OF
this city might be IIaussmannizcd in way
somewhat similar to that in which Paris was
transformed under the rule Of Napoleon Ill, with
results which would be gratifying 10 the friends
Of progress MANY Of our streets ought TO be
straightenod and broadoned, and many Of the
congcstcl and CONSTRUCTED parts Of the town
ought 10 have spaces laid bare in them in order
10 relieve the overcrowdlng. Some day New
York IS likely 10 be :ich enough and strong
enough to revoluionZe It's cramped and com
pressed tenement districts II 1t were not that
the municipality intends TO spend more than
$j0,O00,000 on rapid transit tens of millions
might be used wisely and judiciously within a
few years In putting the tenement districts IN
such condition that they would be credit
TO the city and could not give rise to complaint
and ccnsure.
The opportunities OF the first city Of the two
Americas are dazzling What metropolis could
be made Of Ncw-York with liberal expenditure
on street improvements and on the transforma-
ton Of the tenement districts If tens Of millions
were employed sagaciously, judciousy and with
the wiscst application Of means TO ends. Our
citizens ought TO be grateful to the Tenement
House Commission, whose report 70 the Legis
latnre this wear has already brought about I'm
portant and valuable changes. But so wealthy,
so prosperous. SO rcsourcefn city as this ought
to accomplish much more than has been accom-
plshed up 10 the present time in cleansing, IN
purifying, in improving every tenement In town.
Some Of the former city governments allowed
many avenues many streets and great numbers
Of blocks 10 become neglected ana To SINK INTO
| a dismal and wretched condition. III the munic-
ipal government had always been in the hands
| OF public-spiritcd men, loyal and earnest. zeal
orls and devoted To- the true Interests Of New
| York the metropolis would now have n system
of paycmenis iL every quarter that would equal
| the best pavcmcnts anywhere in the world. The
! tenement quarters are sadly In need Of pave
meuts Of the best sort; Our Health Board ap
pears 10 be walchful and hard-working in these
days. under the inspiration and influence Of the
new city government No menace OF deadly
! plague or pcsteIce now hOvcrs in the sky or
| approaches Manhattan Island The death rate
| in our tenement regions is not alarmingly hiSi
/ "A, present Bur with all the Improvements tha
/ have been made our tenement districts are sill
/ blots on the fair face of Manhattan Island. y
J beautiful an island as Manhattan the seat Of Sc
! imperial Il city. ought 10 be wholesome and open
and fresh and sweet. from the Battery 10 th'
| Harlem Heights. II the voters continue To pu
the right men in office and to hold them 10 {
strict accountability il will he hard 10 set bounds
! 10 the achievements in bcttcring The metropolis
which can b. carried on within n reasonable
number 0f years.
4 MODERN IMPOSITION.