The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-28


from saying aword In regard to this ferry in many
weeks, for two reasons, first, because the City
Convention embodied in the amended charter a
clause prohibiting the Common Council from dis
posing of the ferry rights belonging to the city in
any other way than by public auction; and second
ly, because a resolution introduced in the Board
of Assistant Aldermen, by Assistant Alderman
Smith Of the ninth ward, in reference to this
company, was referred to committee to report
on the expediency of passing it. Two reasons
alss, induce us to again take the matter in hand,
and continue agaung until this ferry is deprived
OF its monopoly features, the charge of ferrage
reduced from six to three cents and the public in
terests better provided for than they present,
The first is, because the amended charter
was rejected by our voters and the second
is, because although the committee appointed by
the Board of Assistant Aldermen have had the
matter twice before them-the first time for a
period of many weeks-they have not reported
yet.
To those who are acquainted with the immense
amount of business daily transacted by this ferry,
and the magnitude of the public interest that SUI
fers by the manner it is at present conducted,
matter of surprise that it has so long escaped
public condemnation.
Jersey CITY ana suDurDs contain some elgnt
thousand inhabitants, many of them own
citizens, who re induced to live there for econo-
mys sake. These are, of course, depending on
this ferry, but they not 1.-THE of the multi
tudes who daily and hourly pass between the two
cities. Some idea of the business can be formed
from the fact, that in addition to Jersey City, the
people of all the large towns, Newark, Railway,
New Brunswick, Paterson and Philadelphia &c.
&c, as well as all the freight that passes between
those places and the city of New York, likewise,
pass over this ferry, as well as all the freight
from this city to those places.
A company enjoying so much patronage would,
one would suppose, exert themselves to please
the public, and by having the rate of ierrage re-
duced low enough to be within the means of all,
Encourage the swarming population of New York
90 reside in Jersey City, and thus contribute to
the benefit Of both cities, and extend their own
business as well. But that short-siVhted policy.
characteristic OF corporations actuates this as well
as others, and no movement will ever be
made to wards either reducing the ferriage
or providing better accommodations for
their patrons, until the public voice is brought to
bear upon, them. Like all other ssociauons they
think themselves impregnable-they wrap them
selves in their monopoly, and defy public opinion;
they rest satisfied in their fancied security, but
like all objects that ever came in contact with
the popular will, they must and will succumb to
it or perish.
Public opinion is already arrayed against this
company, and in the nature Of things would
wiring from them all that is desired in short
umr, ouths not necessary to wait the time that
Woulo DC required to do it in that way, because
the Common Council of New York own the ferry
rights which this company enjoy, and can at any
moment take them away and give them 70 ano,b.
er company, on such terms as they please.
The subject is, as we said bcfo,e non,
before the Board Of Assistant Aldermen. and
we hope the Committee to whom !, was
yeered viii make a report soon, recommend.