Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-05-28
WHOLE NO. 2S4O.
thought that in the long run It would

be to his advantage to give the former
the more serious consideration. lie
therefore informs the comptroller that.
in his opinion, liabilities for street
openings and widenings and for parks
against the fund for street
and park openings should not be regard
ed as Indebtedness of the city of New
York within the constitutional prohibi-
ton" This is quite Il lifting of pressure
TO begin with, to about s2O,-
900, 900. 1t confirms the position of ex-
Comptroller Fitch and shows that he was
either a more capable or u more honest
official than his successor. There is an
other considerable item amounting to
over 81, ,O0O, 900 whose place in the city
debt was questioned to which the cor
poration counsel makes no reference,
and which probably has not been re-
ferred to him. That is the item covering
contract liabilities. which includes ohli-
cations yet to be incurred and which
cannot possibly be debt until the work
is completed and the payments mature
Some OF this work has not even been
begun, and some of it will not call for
final payments for 10 years yet, even if
unlock and unchain considerable of the
city machinery that has been so long
motionless, and it will put at work thou
sands who were idle while Tammany
played politics. 1t releases over $4,Uv0.-
200 for the schOolhouse fund, which
certainly New York needs as much as
she needs anything, and over 5000, 900
for the street improvement fund. while Il
number of other projected enterprises
will feel the benefit of fresh life blood,
though some of them can be adjusted in
their progress to the quick resources Of
the city. Probably one reason why the
corpora ton counsel does not bear out
the showing of the comptroller is that
the chatting of citizens and contractors
would have shortly led to an appeal to
the courts, and Tammany would doubt
less prefer to anticipate their inevitable
verdict, and avoid the unpleasantness
of being shown up in it's true colors. with
a possible ventilation of the motives be-
hind it. Mr.. Gould should now revise his
letter to the rapid transit commissioners,
for that point upon which he laid especial
emphasis seems to be no longer valid.
The Gould letter to the transit commits
sion here is calling out well deserved
scOrn from that portion of the city press
that Is not influenced by more direct
considerations than the public good. 1t
is regarded as audacious. if not menda-
ciOus. 1t shows either ignorance or in
difference to legal requirements. for it
says to the commissioners: THE trou-
BILE with your board is, fear, deep
seated. Your mission, as you conceive
1t, is to furnish rapid transit, by UNDER
ground railways, at the city's expense.
You are welded to that scheme. Mu-
nicipal construction of tunnels in New
York city is the ambition Of your official
existence" Mr.. Gould makes this state
ment as a reprOach to these officials, but
what he declares to be the ambition
of their official existence" Is something
which they are directed by law to carry
out. The people of the city declared by
popular vote in 1894 that they wanted
the city's money spent for the very pur-
pose which Mr.Gould condemns, and the
Legislature stated that it should be their
duty to perform that service. yet Mr..
Gould rebukes their zeal for desiring to
carry out the wishes of the citizens and
the commands of the legislature at the
earliest possible moment The situation
shows how INSCRIPTIONS manipulators
can block the wheels of progress and de-
feat popular will.
General Charles A. Whittier, whom the
president has appointed an inspector
general of the army, with the rank Of
lieutenant colonel, is credited to this
city where he Is now a resident. but his
family associations are BostOnian, and
he was formerly conspicuous figure in
State street, as we'll as in club and social
life there. In his earlier career General
Whittier rendered distinguished service
in the army, and he won his spurs In
active service during the rebellion. He
was a member of General Sedgwick' $
staff, and as such he became associated
with some Of our highest military COM
manders, General Miles among others.
and they all formed high opinion of
General Whittier's capacity. Probably
it is on their recommendation that he has
now returned to military service.
Poor New York! Poor Greater New
York! Now that she has the promise of
public library there is a hitch, and its
building and opening are to be delayed
for nobody knows how long. I'VE are
at least so years behind Boston," says a
New Yorker. 1T is a scandal and an
outrage that work should be delayed for
any Of the trivial causes offered by the
administration of Greater New York. We
can get along without a mayor easier
than without a public library" But
then he adds IF we had a public library
a taste for reading would be encouraged
with the masses, and we would soon have
q higher order of intelligence in the
choice of city officials
1t is a great pity that Dr. John Hall did
not stick to his intention Of resigring
Developments in the Presbyterian church
in this city to which he has so long min
istered have only made his going inev.
table, while multiplying the difficulties
of it. 1t is now said that an assistant
will be called, with the understanding
that DR.. Halls retirement will not long
be delayed.
The Springfield Republican doubts
whether Miss Goulds example of pre-
senting a check for 100000 as a gift to
the United States treasury for war pur-
poses Is worthy of emulation. and sug.
eests that the best way for the rich tt
display practical patriotism is to pay
their taxes and evince a willingness tt
bear their full share Of the burdens OF
the government in times of war and ir
peace. Well, perhaps so. At the same
time. there Is good old maxim as to the
improperly of looking gift horse II
the mouth that would seem to apply ir
this case.
KNICKERBoCKER.
Joseph Fl. Irwin, Of Allegheny City
H., 10 xr,ttl, ha a