The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-12-27
West Side Railroad.

The advocates and opponents OF the proposed
railroad through Hudson street and Eighth Avenue,
to McComb's Dam, last evening assembled in the
room of the Board of Assistant Aldermen, for the
purpose Of expressing their views on this subject
before the Joint committee of the Board having the
same under consideration consisting of Messrs.
Oliver, Roberts, Candee, Spoford, Westervelt, and
Miller
Mr. j. B. JERvIs engineer, first addressed the commit
tee the subject and urged that the petition Of the
SON should not be granted for the present not bo
he opposed to the construction Of railroad
along the proposed line, for he fully impressed with
the vast importance Of such railroad 10 the citizens of
New York, and one that couli not long be dispensed
with but that meeting Of several citizens of New
York had been held at Poughkeepsie some time ago,
which 1t concluded petition for railroad from
Albany to enter this city at the most suitable point
be called the Hudson railroad that a survey had
been made and that petition the Legislature was in
the course appropriation to authorize the construction Of
with the the Hudson railroad which he deem.
cd Of the first Importance and that Il was highly desra
bic to the proposed route for the aforesaid Hud
railroad; and these grounds only, Mr. j. hoped
would be allowed rest until the result
of their application should be ascertained
After considerable pause, no one else appearing
remonsrants, Mr. Oliver, chairman Of the committee
called upon the friends of the measure for any views
upon Mr. De- Wit Bioodsood rose and remarked that
he and other advocates OF the proposed improv
had stated very fully at the former meeting the advan
ages which would BIO realised by the public by its
strucon and desired to hear what the opponents had
say in reply.
Mr. ANDREW BowrEr, OF Hudson street, in addressing
the committee this point said he had doubt but
the construction OF the road might the business
OF the street in which he was situated ne no
felt consrsnedt oppose the measure, inasmuch he
conceived that II would Inconvenience the passage of
carriages carts, sc through the street In support of
this position, Mr. stated that Hudson street IS feet
widehat the Harlem ira ks as LAID down. are 10 feet
inches wide -which with allowance Of IS inches
on each SIDE for the edges ofhe cars extending ond
the outer rails, would give Is feet incnes According
to Mr. DIS own words there would be a margin, or
space OF 10 feet wide each side OF the track
DR.. HARsEN followed, IN very able and eloquent ar
gument in favor OF the proposed side railroad In
the course Of mis- remarks he fully and clearly stated
has reasons for advocating its construction. II Is diff
cult said he al certain hours Of the day to obtain a
conveyance up town; and he had frequently walked
down towards the Battery order TO secure seat in an
omnibus going up Nor could he perceive how the mum.
Der OF omnbuses could DO increased in Broadway while
there was disposition of citizens OF more ra
pa conveyance, to poss the ferries to Brooklyn,
Williamsburg and other places Believing that pub
lie interest requires it's construction Mr. H. hoped that
the application 1.-THE petitioners would be granted The
speaker then proceeded 10 complain OF tho amount oil
TAX imposed upon him for property In the i2h ward;
mat having something to rely upon he had been enabled
10 prevent his land from being sold In payment OF taxes
but that many Of his neghbo not quite 40 as
himself in this respect had lost all they had without
any, prospect Of redaeming -, wnie inc properly
itself in many instances would not command high
or rent than his grandfather received Tor the same
upwards OF rs yours aEo-tnst some ume SINCE ne was
sning Manhattan Square, but that he should never
derive my benefit from the improvement unless people
could into that neigborhood reside, which they
would not do until facilities provided for rapidly
passne and from the business sections OF the city
Under these Circumstances the residents and property