a case the eight or ten patentees of wooden pavements (each one regard ing his as the wooden pavement) could enter into competition and reduce the cost, and perhaps under competition do the work better than if he had been by favoritism selected. In the Mayor's first message he referred to the feasibility of an elevated railway on arches across streets. This measure has been adopted by the Legislature, under the auspices of various Heads of City Departments, and constitutes the plan known to the public as the Viaduct Railway. The speedy commencement of this enterprise will mark a great era in the history of New York's prosperity. The directorship of the company is composed not only of gentlemen favorably known in this country and abroad, as financiers, railway men, and leading citizens engaged in commercial enterprises of magnitude, but also of others who have studied to develop all municipal improvements, and have had experience and practical knowledge by which to further the impatient wishes of our constituents respecting rapid transit. An evening newspaper, whose politics are not in accord with those of the city government, recently surveyed its operations, and so well portrayed the future relations to the city of all expected improvements, that the Mayor will undoubtedly be pardoned for quoting from the editorial. "When this (viaduct) road supplies us with the means of rapid transit, as it will within five years at the farthest; when a sea-wall of solid granite encircles the island and is adorned with a row of piers and docks unequalled in the world; when an avenue of from one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty feet in width begirts the city and affords the noblest opportunities for imposing architectural effects as well as for commercial uses; when the East River bridge unites New York in closest bonds to her Brooklyn bedroom,' and the bridge across the Highlands completes our railroad system; with the enlarged facilities given to our foreign commerce by the opening of the Hell Gate channel to navigation by large steamers; with the completion of our facilities for transshipment at Harlem, and with all the other incidental growths in the business accommodations of the metropolis-who will be bold enough to set limits to the wealth or the population that will be concentrated within fifteen minutes' ride from the Battery in 1881. "Then we shall just begin to realize what an unequalled position for the site of a metropolis has been given to New York. The develop ment of the beautiful will accompany that of the useful, and from Westchester to the Battery there will be more to please the eye and fill the mind with wonder and delight than can be seen in the same territory anywhere else on the face of the earth. Before Paris can regain her lost beauty New York will offer to the traveller more attractions, even in the way of architectural art, than were presented by these Parisian structures which had not become invested with the peculiar charms of historical associations." If there were not a great political preponderance of one party in this city over the other so that the minority leaders could hopefully see their way to administering municipal affairs in their turn, there would undoubtedly be less acrimonious criticism made upon the operations of the city government. Those who are likely to obtain power do not commonly forestall their own action by imprudent promises. And may it not also be said that less hostility would be shown the various heads of the city government, if they had not become accidentally identified with State and national politics, and that their political status as individuals really furnishes motive for attacks upon their functions as public officials? Throughout the past year numerous civic delegations from cities and towns have visited New York city in order to examine its municipal institutions. Men of both parties were represented among the delegations. Some of them came, as they were frank enough to admit, prejudicially predisposed. But (and after making due allowance for the courtesy of the pleased guests) where prejudices had existed encomiums took their places. Indeed the general feeling seemed to be one of pleasurable surprise that the city authorities were able to accomplish so much under the many disadvantages to which the Mayor has heretofore referred. In conclusion, the Mayor asks the citizens to look around the city and observe for themselves if in its affairs there has not been marked improvement throughout the past year; if its health has not been assured by the intelligent vigilance of a competent Board, and under extraordinary vicissitudes of temperature; if its streets have not been comparatively clean under disadvantages of popular heedlessness about materials, sweepings, or garbage, or under the almost insuperable difficulties which, from our peculiarly situated city limits, attend the speedy removal of offal, manure, and street deposits; if the policemen are not men whose appearance and discipline inspire confidence; if the firemen are not alert, vigilant, and effective in the performance of their perilous duties; if justice is not impartially and effectively administered, and that, too, as speedily as the proverbial law's delay will permit; if its charities have not been judiciously distributed; if the care of its finances is not commended by capitalists, however politicians or baffled claimants may decry it; if its legal matters are not honorably, skilfully, and learnedly prosecuted or defended; if its parks are not popular resorts; if its schools are not commendably supervised; if the best professional skill is not employed in every department, and if thoughtful attention is not given to a development of the future prosperity of the city. And in brief, if a live sense of responsibility and governmental vigor be not manifested at every point by those who had taken charge of all these momentous duties under this administration. And the Mayor, remembering the popular verdict, rendered upon only a few months of evidence last autumn in the Court of Elective Franchise, after a sharp tilting by counsel, is assured from his intercourse with all the city officials that if they cannot absolutely command success, they are endeavoring to deserve it, and by accomplishing beneficial results, earn, at least, from the discrimination of the Future, a full vindication of good intentions, responsibly felt and zealously enforced. A. OAKEY HALL, JUNE 12, 1871. Mayor. |