New-York tribune., 1896-02-05
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
A CHANCE FOR IMPROVEMENT
THE LEXINGTON CABLE AND SOME DEDUC-
TIoNs DRAWN FROM 1T.

THE LEXINGTON AVE. CABLE AND SOME DEDUC-
TIoNs DRAWN FROM 1T.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: New-York, the boastful. is In some re-
spects at low level of civilization. VIII you
put to the public the question II the Lexington
Avenue Gable Road is the sum and flower OF what
the heir TO all the ages may expect? True, It
transports rapidly but In what style? The passen-
gers are crowded together with less regard than is
shown for herds Of animals. fresh passengers being
admitted before those who have paid their fare
have even n chance Of escape. All are jolted un-
mercifully over the track thrown backward and
forward. the sport Of modern Improvements"
Now is all this the sign of better era? | think
not. II this method of transportation cannot be
better managed. IT had best be replaced by some
other. But surely In our brilliant. progressive
America ii could be better managed All things
considered. II is at least nothing TO boast Of one
OF the worst features connected with II Is the
constant and distressing noise which is kept up
day and night by the working OF the cables, the
volume of which noise is. told. due TO i'm
perfect workmanship What element in
munity is responsible for this? What element is
Indifferent or comparatively so TO the inconveni-
cnccs mentioned? Assurcdly the rougher and the
bascr
America has from the Colonial period been the
chief refuge for forces which were kept under at
home. and there is something undoubtedly emo
lling IN the thought tndt all may nave iar chAnce
here. and that Individual characteristics may have
some vent But is there to be a vent also for bru-
tality and dishonesty? Are justified in our
boast Of the highest civilization and OF leading
the world 50 long AS we suffer such evil manifesto
tions TO pass unchecked? Those OF who are
mddlc-aRcd remember in early youth
very spread-eagle period during which the belief
was widely entertained and loudly expressed that
the United States OF America only a
i.. l.f. but, for
ahead Of any other country on the face OF the
globe \ time came when Americans began TO
travel more. Some Of them would como home with
their ideas hroadon"d. md with visions OF past
civilizations leading up to their own. also with
realizing sense that Europe was still alive, nay
oven moro astonishing-that In some respects It
was worth our emulation. For the expression Of
this latier conviction these American apostles had
TO suffer indeed. Somewhat later came time
when Americans travelled much and "A study Of
and with iho best artists led to an artistic rena -
sance iu our country revival now proceeding on
limos ~ it's own but stimulated hy intcrCOurs" with
The past and with other lands. We now exclaim
with pride. How much We have improved' This
f. true. wc have Improved. but the reflection upon
former s.If-a~scrf.on is obvious
Americans now travel pell-mell They crowd
abroad they stay as long they can-many of
them-and frequently remain there. This Is deemed
uupatrlotic by many OF their compatriots. who are
unable or unwilling 10 follow their example. 1t H.
of course fortunate for the country that the ma
Jority of It's inhabitants must stay at home and
look after IT, but let them ponder well the deeper
meanings Of the fact that their cultured classc,
escape Ike birds wErn their cage door Is opened,
many OF Them returning, Ike Noahs weary dove.
with olive hranch's. or tangible Nls!Dic cohtrlpu-
tions and tokens garnercd for fresh life at home
when this phase is ended We may perhaps see
country equal In all respects To other lands, ana
even silrpassng them in some ways. But until that
tirIe comes let thosn OF ms who are now stay y-at-
homes consider some forms Of Improvement which
ar" vital necessity to our well-hclng, ana the
neglect OF which is standing disgrace TO us among
tho nations. \ uttlc National humility is good
thing and might hc considered the reverse OF
National humiliation. CoLOMBO.
Ncw-IOrk. Jan. -i 1896.