New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-25
AT LAST.

The exercises in the City Hall Park yesterday
by which the actual beginning of a great public
enterprise celebrated inevitably suggested
the rather amusing reflection that they were
under the official patronage of the political
organization which was for years the persistent
and successful enemy of underground roads.
For reasons closely connected with both poll
tics and business Tammany long applied all its
resources to the process of battling 81 Rapid
Transit Commission which It could neither get
rid of control. About year ago the quar-
rel of its leaders with the Manhattan company
disposed them to look with less disfavor upon
the project for system of transpOrta ton
but still more influential was their tardy recog-
milton of the fact that the people of this city
Were imperativey demanding rapid transit The
attitude of the city government began to change
The Controller, until then on friendly terms
with his associates. suddenly announced his
hearty approval of the plan for building under
ground roads on municipal account and became
al once the most efficient advocate of the ar
rangement for separating the city and county
debts. by which alone such an investment could
be made feasible The Mayor at the same time
began TO indicate change Of policy If not of
INCLINATION. and, though the Counsel to the Cor
poration still withheld his approval of the form
OF contract. it was evident that the organization
preparing to execute a change of front. AS
the project approached a practical stage the
municipal authorities, with shrewdness which
they do not invariably display came forward as
its conspicuous and confident supporters, and
yesterday they recommended themselves to the
gratitude of a forgetful public by appearing
the chief celebrants of the occasion. We take
no pleasure in recalling incidents with which an
interesting celebration was in striking contrast
but so much at least as this is due to the truth
of history.
The people of New-York are to be congratu-
lated upon the prospect of relief from onerous
conditions of existence. They are likewise to be
commended for the unanimity and persistence
with which they have asserted their demands
They voted in 1894 by majority of more than
three to for municipal construction Of
rapid transit road'-that is, for the plan which
the Rapid Transit Commission created by the
Legislature in that year DESTROYS of execut-
ing. The decision was conclusive as to their
wishes, and from that day to this there has
never been a sign of any change of opinion
their part They have been steady force be-
hind the Commission, without whose constant
though not always conspicuous pressure the
Commission could not have overcome long sue
cessiOn of obstacles and finally achieved a solid
and brilliant victory. There has seldom been in
our municipal history more instructive ex
ample of the power which resides in
changing public sentiment The inhabitants of
New-YOrk are going TO get what they want be-
cause they have insisted on having it. This fact
detracts nothing from the honor and gratitude
in which Mr.. Orr and his colleagues should be
universally held, but it deserves 10 be clearly
recognized Indictment to civic virtue
In saying that the people are going to get
what they want we do not mean to imply that
they are going to get it all in the future.
! The completion of Mr.. McDonald's contract
will unquestionably be of great benefit to a
multitude Of individuals and to the community
as a whole, but it will not meet the require
ments of an immense and swiftly growing popu-
laton. If it were necessary to suppose that the
undertaking just begun would be the last Of its
kind there would be far less reason than actu-
ally exists for public rejoicing. 1t is because
we confidently believe the original underground
roads will quickly demonstrate the wisdom of
building others that contemplate the work
| initiated yesterday with unaoyed satisfaction
The processes Of construction will be tedious
and perhaps distressing. but they will introduce
a new era of comfort and prosperity.