The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-09-24

lstrauon with any Important oiiclh lnIorInatlon
and one might with as much success look for Off
eal intelligence in paper published on the ex-
IRENE limits of Wisconsin, as expect to find it in
the reputed organ of the Administration at Wash
ington.
THE JERSEY Cry FERRy.-We are glad to per-
ceive that this subject is receiving the attention
which the principle il involves, and its inherent
interest deserve. Communications, from all
quarters, continue TO pour in upon us; but we do
not see that they contain any thing new. To be
sure, many of them refer to the terms the char
ter granted by the Legislature TO the Jersey
sociates, and insist that under that charter these
associates have not the privilege of running
ferry; but this is matter that we have no desire
10 NEEDLE with. The judicial tribunals of the
State OF New Jersey have alone jurisdiction, and
are fully competent TO adjudicate on this ques-
ton, fit should be brought to their notice under
Il writ OF quo marranto, or any other proper form.
The associates may powder away as much as
they please in New Jersey; they may set up
a claim to be exclusive owners of the whole
length and breadth Of the State for all we care;
but when they attempt to cross the Hudson, and
visit the city of New York with their monopoly,
and tax our citizens to swell the amount Of the
dividends, so frequently declared by this snug
little concern, 1t becomes our duty, as journalists,
TO resist them with all our might, and confine
them to the borders of their own State where
they can ride rough shod over the people, with
perfect impuny far as we are concerned.
The State of New Jersey, from one end to the
other is full of monopoes; but when any par
tcular one becomes ambitious, and desires to
extend the area OF monopoly-not of freedom
and cross over 10 another State for the purpose
that other State will turn round and protect her.
self, by either expelling the intruder-if it can be
done-or, at least, by clipping it oft unjust pre-
tensions, and combining it within mits, so mar
row, that its sting will be harmless.
The Common Council Of New York have this
matter now before them in proper shape, and it is
to be hoped that justice will be secured to our cit
liens before any lease be made with this compa-
ny. The Comptroller sent in communication
TO the Board of Assistants last Monday evening"
stating that lease had been drawn up in the year
lS4l for the slip at the foot Of Courtlandt street.
at the rent OF four thousand dollars per annum;
but it was not signed, as the Comptroller required
the signatures of the individual members of the
company, as it is foreign corporation; and also
on account OF one or two Objectionable stipua-
tons being embodied in it. The Comptroller fur
Their stated, that the President, and one or two of
the members, have recently come forward and
offered to sign it, and bolt it it was drawn up,
Objectionable features and all, at mouthful.
We have no doubt that this Jersey company
would be very glad to sign this lease in a hurry,
if they cosld have an opportunity; but what is
the reason that it has remained unsigned for so
many years and what is the reason that they
have come forward recently and offered to sign it!
The reason is obvious BY that lease they have
for five years past enjoyed the exclusive right of
one of our most valuable slips, at rent far below
its value and have also taxed our citizens much
as they pleased for crossing the river The pub
lie knew nothing about the abuses that had been
imposed upon them by this company, which rest
ed, it thought, retired and secure from the eyes
Of otlicious Intermediates, until the subject was
taken hold of by the press. The moment that
occurred, they made an effort to sign the lease,
which would ensure to them the enjoyment of
their extraordinary privileges for two years more.
But they found that the game was blocked-that
they were caught mapping, sharp they con-
sdered themselves to be. The lynx-eyed press
had been watching them
Now that the Common Council have taken up
the subject, and about to act upon it, we will
state how the public is served by this company,
and then how it ought to be served.
In the first place, the public do not geta much
rent for the OF the slip as they ought it is
clear, at first sight, that the public are entitled to
more than four thousand dollars year for the ex-
elusive of slip situated as the one foot of
Courtlandt streets. Secondly-six and quarter
cents is too much to charge for distance less
than a mile. In this age of steam and electricity,
it will never do to charge so much, particularly
A. ~ Il
companies afford to do the same service for two
cents-companies, too that are restricted by
charter from declaring over seven per cent divi-
dend. Thirdly-the people of New York are not
even allowed the small privilege of committing to
this ferry, but each person from the city must pay
the regular monopoly price of fare, to cross the
river. Fourthly-the public of both New Jersey
and New York are not served as they should be,
because q boat is run only every fifteen minutes
from sunrise to sunset, and every thirty minutes
afterwards till one o'clock.
This is the way matters stand at present. Now
we will tell the Common Council how they should
stand.
In the first place, in order that they should get
the full value of the slip, it should be put up at
auction. There are many of our steamboat own
ers who would bid for it when it is known that
they can get the exclusive right to establish fer
ry from the Common Council of Jersey City, and
would prefer investing their property in this way
and the certainty of getting an adequate interest
for it, to running to Albany and other places for
twenty-five cents. Secondy-the ferriage must
be put down to three cents Thirdly-all persons,
without distinction of residence, should have the
privilege of committing. And fourthly--a boat
should be run every ten minutes during the day
and night to twelve o'clock, and every half hour
from that time 10 sunrise.
Now this is the way in which the public should
be served, and the way in which it will be served
if the Common Council will act determinedly in
the matter 1t lies with them entirely to rid our
city of this monopoly, as far as our citizens are
concerned, and we call upon them in the