New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-11-22
The Ferry Question.

Our readers have probably discovered that we
DO not sympathize with what IS called the New
York side OF the Ferry Question on which our
CORPORATION is now at issue with that OF Brooklyn
To our mind. New York and Brooklyn are really
but separate parts Of the same great Emporium
and the rights aud interests OF hose who live on
one side OF the East River are Just as precious as
if they lived on the other. Now the Ferries con
Germ us all but they concern most the residents
of Brooklyn who cross them far more generally
and frequently than the dwellers IN New York. To
maintain, in the strength of any amount OF musty
parchment that the People living on this side Of the
River have the exclusive right to establish and reg
uate Ferries and that they may make an indefinite
amount of profit thereirom is to affirm what seems
20 Us grossly adverse 20 natural Justice Whether
the power has been will be used well or Ill, We
do not now inquire suffice it that 1t maniestly
tends and tempts 10 abuse, and we trust the
law of the Legislature committing this whole sub
iect to a Board Of impartial Commissioners, will
be sustained and carried into full effective call
attention TO the following statement OF the case
To the Editor Of The Tribune;
A good deal OF angry feeling has been manifested,
especially in publications in the newspapers, In
Long Island A plain statement OF the nature OF this
controversy and a suggestion of the mode OF remedy
ing il may be useful at this time.
NewYOrk claims the right under some OF the old
charters 10 establish ferries the East River and
indeed all the waters surrounding the Island Ia
the exercise Of this right she has been 10 the practice
OF establishing ferries and OF leasing mem out rom
time 10 time individual lessees reseryng rent 70
herself
These lessees have run their boats under that lease,
taking just such tolls assre allowed oy law Great com
plants were made BY the citizens Of Brooklyn few
years back OF the in which these Ferries were
conducted They complained that the lessees did not
put good boats such as would afford the requisite
public accommodation that they ran old boats which
large enough and strong enough 10 resist the
Ice Ia the Winter and 10 the river with the
requisite speed In short that they consulted exclu-
siyey their private interest without due regard
10 the interest and accommodation OF the public.
These complaints and difficulties finally led 10 an ar
rsngement In which large portion OF the citizens OF
Brooklyn and other Inhabitants Of Long ISLAND were
concerned They formed 4 common stock and thereby
raised capital for the establishment and running Oi
these ferries. They appointed Trustees who were TO
get the leases and the boats under them To insure
economy and cheapness and 10 keep down the tolls
within reasonable limits the Trustees were 70 act with
out any compensation, and State stockholders ware
limited to per cent for use the Of their capital All the
surplus profits Of the ferries after payment OF The
rent % the Corporation Of NeW.fOrk, and the per
cent interest on their capital ~ be applied b i'm
proving the boats and extending the accommodations
IN other respects at the ferries.
his plan went into tTtCL ! Nc uds's were hutru
the capital raised-trustees took upon themselves
the burden Of conducting the ferries, aud the whole
worked ike magic, 10 the satisfaction Of everybody
but in 1874 when the leases ran out and the Trustees
applied 70 the Corporation Of New York for renewal
their lease they resolved 10 put them up Al auction
and to dispose Of them 70 the highest bidder To suc
ton they resOrted number Of competitors presented
Themselves The ferries were finally struck OF 10 sn
individual at yearly rent OF S30JOO This individual
afterwsrd entered into an arrangement with these
Trustees % allow them 10 take bis Lease, which was
assigned them and thus the ferries have since been
and st are, running upon the same economical prin-
cipcs before.
The plan OF putting up ferries at auction and striking
them "a 70 toe highest bidder for the greatest rent
gave great dissatisfaction 20 the public Ut Long Island
They thought not treating them Justly and fairly
that 10 holding out temptation 10 greedy specu
ators to get ferries and run them upon the old plan.
With old boats and other stnted accommodation and
without due regard 10 tie public interest II
red their plain, common sense, that the pursuit. Of
this plan would inevitably rebound 10 their injury.
They saw thought they saw that such " their Ia
nsoiants VINO might be disposed u such ferries
with liberal view % the public interests, could
compete Ia bidding with these greedy spectators,
VINO by sighting tbs public accommodation, could
the ferries more chesp and Al the same time axe
great private profits 20 themselves.
In this state Of the csse they relief but by sp.
plying to the Legislature Accordingly 10 Albany they
vents and aid their supposed grievances before the
representatives Of the people. The Corporation Of
New York wss heard 10 opposition They presented,
through their counsel their legal and constitutional
objections ocr Il vas all Of no avail the las passed,
snd under that lsw the Commissioners appointed nave
granted the leases which making much noise
vito that class Of people who delight In noise.
Bat the course TO take IN adusting this controversy
q plain and obvious The Legislature have made
law The Corporation Of New York complain that that
law unconstitutional that Il 10 an Interference vita
their private vested rights On the other hand, Is
maintained that tse law In question % resaSuon OF
public political righ, only which IL fully under Legs
snve control That the power 20 establish ara license
ferries the public nsvsaoe waters OF the eIae,
which is for public Accommodation ID rgni Oi that
character.
Now this presents fair question for the Judiciary to
settle IN this country want no clnols~ or pistol
law % settle such question Two sucn great parties
a. the public Of the City OF New-fork and the puoc
Of Long Isand ought not 10 set bad example 20 the
rowdies OF the day who unfortunately are becoming
more and more numerous.
Let al the parties concerned, in the spirit of peace
settle th.s mater in the Courts In aracable suit
Then the sun will continue 20 shine and the
vstchmer 70 cry ALL Is WELL.
- BESJ. PERLEr PoORE Esq. is 10 become
the Editor Of The B0ssH Das Bee cn the lot proximo.