New-York tribune., 1901-11-04
MAKE NEW-YORK BEST GOVERNED CITY
DROP POLITICS AND WORK FOR THE VEL
FARE OF THE METROPOLIS

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: II Andrew Carnegie said "New-York is the
best governed city IN the world he overlooked
Berlin. Birmingham. Glasgow and Liverpool
These well managed cities. The revenue Tor
maintaining each is collected from proper
sources. and is economically expended New ork
is not controlled decade after decade. by re-
sponsible assembly of citizens called together by
wise system like that enforced through the mu-
nicfpal corporation act OF 1852 In Great BRITAIN
In instances II is governed IN some respects
by the heads Of great corporations. which haFe
grown immensely rich through privileges granted
to without adequate compensation to the
city, and by powerful political bodies. like Tam
many Hall. II the members OF the Council and
the Mayor elected by the stockholders OF
these corporations instead of by the public the ad
ministration would do no more than II does FOR
these privileged sons OF the republic
Glasgow Liverpool. London. has such
potentates. created by municipal governments. to
grow rich the expense Of the great common
wealth. These streetcar and gas companies create
a large amount Of valuable stock. back OF which
valuable franchises, which in reality cost
them little nothing. This stock is sold on the
Stock Exchange and purchasers claim they have
vested rights not to he teopardized. The people
are obliged to pay the interest the dividends on
the stocks and bonds. but compensation comes
back to the city. which would not be the case II
the people owned these franchises or received a
fair compensation from these quasi public corpora
tions. ,
Europe. we are told 1t will bankrupt streetcar
companies If they pay 10 per cent on gross re-
ceipts Let them give us the figures TO prove this
statement.
II is impossible to maintain any system of popu-
lar government in its integrity until the voters. IN
Guiding all leaders and powerful citizens who con.
troll. through their wealth the commercial affairs or
a great city, are elevated TO standard of morality
and honesty which will restrain them under every
occasion from corrupting those who are elected
from the people to represent the public Our pub
lie schools colleges and universities well as the
public press and religious organizations, should IN
still into the minds of rising generations in Amer
lea, who will in time become voters. the abso-
lutte necessity Of maintaining the integrity Of the
administration of public affairs In the city. state
nation, civilization and liberties will be
destroyed.
When of integrity, ability and education.
like Seth Low. is willing to assume the responsible
and the thankess task Of administering the mu-
ncipal affairs of the great and constantly growing
metropolis OF the New World. with its magnificent
possibilities. he should be supported by all beiiev
ers In good city government. while all affiliations
with questionable political organizations and great
money making quasi corporations should be en-
tirely ignored. Then by hard work and united
effort New-York will become what Andrew Car,
negie is said have called 1.-THE best governed
city in the world'-as IT should be.
BARLOW L. ULRICH-
New-York Oct. %, 1901.