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There were grave murmurs against the city government the other day.

One morning the papers appeared, telling in indignant words the story
of how the aldermen of the city of New York were about to give away the
right to build a railroad on the Kingsbridge Road.

Now the people who know most about city government think that the
companies who desire the franchise which gives them the right to lay
tracks and run cars through certain streets, should be made to pay a
yearly sum to the city for the privilege.

There has been a good deal of trouble over this Kingsbridge Road
franchise. Two companies have been anxious to secure it, but neither has
offered to pay its real value for it.

The granting of the franchise is done by the vote of the Board of
Aldermen, who pass the resolution much in the same way that Congress
passes a bill, and send their resolution to the Mayor for his signature,
in the same manner that bills are sent to the President.

In the matter of the Kingsbridge Road franchise neither of the companies
made much headway.

Both companies were extremely anxious to get possession of the line, but
the aldermen were equally divided in their favor.

At last a rumor got abroad that in their desire to get a decision the
companies were trying to influence the aldermen.