New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-26
OVER.

During the protracted though seemingly
/ somewhat remote period when the relations be-
tween the managers of the Manhattan Railway
Company and the magnates of Tammany Hall
were of the most fTaternal description many
devout citizens of New-York were led to doubt
the universal applicability of the Biblical eX-
clamation, Behold how good and how pleas
''ant thing 1t is for brethren to dwell together
lin unity" Perceiving that in accordance with
the arrangements then in force nothing in the
way of official favorS was too good for the ee-
waited roads and nothing in the way OF trans
portation too bad for their patrons the latter
gradually came to harbor a suspicion that If Il
certain degree of friction should be developed
between old friends the result might be benef-
cial TO the community. There was no great
amount of lamentation, therefore, when au-
thentic signs of a disruption began to appear,
but much curiosity was manifested as to the
causes One favorite theory was that the mar
ket for Manhattan securities was unsatisfactory
to a number Of municipal statesmen who were
not in the habit of being taken care of in the
wrong way Another explanation, TO which
striking sequence Of events seemed to lend sup
port was that the Discrimination Of the Man
haitian company to assist in revolutonizing the
truckage industry by permitting compressed air
pipes to be suspended from its structures had
painfully impressed Mr.. Richard Croker as
gross violation of the principles on which the
affairs of a great city ought to be conducted.
But whatever the origin of the breach may
have been, its consequences were novel and
interesting.
We are not absolutely certain as to the order
Of these developments, but our recollection is
that the Board of Health first appeared upon
the scene with the agitating announcement that
If the elevated railroads did not fall down,
they might confidently be expected TO do, they
must inevitably continue to cause constant and
increasing havoc by means Of the microbes with
which they were infested. AT about the same
time a similar discovery respecting asphalt
pavements was promulgated on the authority Of
the president of the Board, who did not hest
tate to say that there might be more in 1t than
he was aware of; so that the public mind was
doubly harassed and the future looked extreme
" gloomy in view of the Manhattan com
pany's obstinate refusal either TO tear down or
rebuild its roads or even to spray them with
solution Of corrosive sublimate. At this point,
therefore, the people fell into temporary doubts
as TO the practical advantage of the quarrel
which they had originally hailed with consid-
cradle satisfaction; but they were soon cheered
by proofs that vigilant municipal administra-
ton had not yet exhausted its resources.
For many years the elevated roads had occu-
pied a strip of Battery Park, Notwithstanding
various tentative processes ostensibly directed
toward their exclusion therefrom but now the
official mandate went forth that they must 60
Moreover, the public was given TO understand
that they must go at once that patience had
ceased TO be virtue, that the right Of the pop
ulace TO a breath of fresh air uncontaminated
by contact with anything belonging to the
Manhattan company was indispensable and in
alienable, and that though the courts might
possibly be invoked as a matter Of form the
laws delays would in this instance be conspicu-
Gus by their absence Thereupon public inter
est became intense, and thousands Of persons
are supposed to have spent their days in Bat
terry Park in order that they might see the first
pillar fall. We forget how long the tension
lasted, but it was a very exciting time. Grad
ually however as people got lame necks from
gazing upward in vain, and the same old trains
ran at the same old intervals on the same old
tracks, and alternative routes were brought into
the discussion, and an ineXhaustible supply of
ultimatums exhibited on both sides. and the
courts were observed TO be a good deal better
prepared for the trial than the contestants. an
impression began to gather even in the most
ingenious minds that the show was over. 1t
has always been stoutly represented that there
IS another act coming, but the opinion has lat
terly prevailed that it isn't worth while to wait
For few hours on Monday 1t was understood
that, none Of the actors having appeared before
Justice Truax at the appointed time the curtain
had been finally rung down. But this proved TO
be mistake, and another performance has been
appointed for October 16
The remark has been repeatedly made. with
considerable show Of reason, that it's a oueer
world.
VIZ. HILL EXHIBITS HIMSELE