The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-05

dollar OF Its stock. For a considerable Tune Iney
ton of the two roads, and gave that company as
little encouH cement as possible, hoping TO De aoic
to satisfy. the public, and prevent. by every fatr
means diversion OF travel from their road Du-
ring all this time no conveniences or accommoda.
tons were afforded, except such as we were com
PEELED TO furnish by the demands OF the travelling
public. After the passage OF the general railroad
law, compelling US TO afford any railroad company
connecting with ours, all proper facilities for con-
nection and interchange of business, this company
continued to charge the same price to and from
Sufierns to Geneva, as to and from New York to
Geneva. Yet with this discrimination against that
road, we, upon average, lost in our trips coming
east, from a third to half of our passengers, be-
cause they could reach New York generally one
hour and half earlier than by way Of Piermont. :.
To protect themselves against this diversion of
travel and to pay the expense Of running trains to
Piefmont, and steamboats, to New York, the COM
Snffens as toNew York. Without this discrimi-
nation against that route we could have retained
rev or no passengers, east OF that place THIS at
tempt virtually to compel the travelling public to
60 by way OF Piermont or to pay the additional
charges on another road, caused much and severe
complaint, which was daily becoming more and
more general. With the best arrangements we
could make on our ferry, with the aid Of the fastest
steamboats, we could procure, from causes of fire.
quent occurrence, such as storms ice, fogs, &c,
passengers were not unfrequentiy two hours longer
time by way OF Pierm0nt to Sufferns, than by way
of Ramapo Railroad. After the passage Of the
general railroad law, modifying the charter and
compelling q connection with that portion Of the
RamapO Railroad in Rockland county, known al
the Union Railroad Company, the directors were
still determined to make an earnest effort to satisfy
the public and prevent q diversion Of travel. But
after long and faithful effoft we were driven re-
luctantly to the conclusion that we could not sa-
tisfy our passengers and prevent diversion which
was every day increasing. Besides which, the de-
tentions on the river from causes referred to,
rangements into confusion, and thereby delay In q
greater or lesser degree all the trains on the road
And who are the parties who complain 90 vehe-
mently at this changef Simply the citizens of a
owners at Piermont, without whose promptngs
the public would PROBABLY never have heard Of this
meeting. The convenience or wishes of the great
mass Of the travelling public, even through the
quence, if the gentlemen composing that meeting
can be giatihed. And what real cause have the
citizens OF Rockland county to complain?
They are now accommodated by q passenger
train daily to and from New York, and upon the
approach ofspring daily trains will be provided
all our freight and milk business is done there
usual, with no intention Of changing it, and only
the regular passenger business is arranged so az to
allow passengers to pass through New Jersey, (and
that not of choice, but from necessity This real
or pretended alarm and indignation on account Of
and from this city, BY the nearest and speed.
est route. is too grossly absurd to need refu-
tation. The directors are citizens Of New York,
win no particular liar, friendship for New JerSey OF her
will receive all the benefits from the construction
of the New York and Erie Railroad, to which she
is entted-but In doing so we are compelled 10
allow our passengers TO pass through a corner OF
that State. The directors have no apprehension
that the citizens of New York, with these state
ments before them, will question the wisdom Of
Accommodated by the New York and Erie Railroad,
nearer to the city by at least one hour and half
especially in view OF the fact that the most strenu
Gus efforts will be made by means Of railroads now
fay fhAv SfatA tn ekA ID
business Of the great Valley of the Mississippi, to
neiehboring cities.
The directors cannot see any proprety in compell
ing all the travel over 447 mhes Of their road, Tin
addition to that portion which will soon come over
equal length of tributary railroads) to pass
that portion of railroad east OF Suierns Depot for
the satisfaction Of the inhabitants residing there,
when IN hours oan he saved by taking another d.
rection. II is not believed that the Legs lature to
whom the meeting appeals for redress, will attempt
such an act OF injustice after aordng all the rail-
roads IN the state the privilege of shortening or
changing their respective lines whenever distance
can be saved
On the Central Railroad from Albany to Buffalo
the change Of lines contemplated, will, as is under
stood, save some 30 miles In distance, which i'm
provements are now commenced under the provi-
sion sof the general railroad law; and tits not believ
ed that the Legislature will passsa general law com
peing connection with any and all railroads, and
then shut out the New York and Enc Railroad from
its benefits; neither il il believed that the Legsla-
ture will attempt virtually to compel the New York
sengers, amounting to hundreds OF thousands an
nually, 10 and from New York via Piermont, at an
increased expense, and an average loss Of time of
"a hours, or say equal to 30 or 40 miles increased
distance on the railroad, while shorter and SPEED
Ter route presents itself for the acceptance OF the
travelling public. Neither is it believed that they
will attempt to compel this road run empty trains
from SufeIs to Piermont, and incur the expense
OF running steamboat to New York, comparatively
without passengers, or compel the company Ito pay
this increased expense) to charge the passengers
the same, or nearly the sameprice, to Sufierns and
thereby subject them TO the additional payment Of
passage on another railroad Neither is il believed
that the Legislature will compel all the travel
throughout the southern tier OF counties" to 90 to
ward for The large donations of land and materi-
ais made by parties living at PIermont. Ii would
be tar better TO impose tax on the southern tier
OF counties" and pay off their claims at their own
valuation.
Inc address speaks Of the advantages of connect
ing by ferry from Piermont with the Hudson
River Railroad. This we should gladly have
done had IL held out the advantages OF the other
route. Ii may be a Sufficient answer to this suq.
gestion to say, that passengers by way Of Ramapo
Railroad can be landed ia the city 10 as short
time as they could be landed on the eastern shore
Of the Hudson nver opposite Piermont, and reload
ed with their baggage on the cars of the Hudson
River railroad, where they would be twenty -four
miles distant from Duane street, from whence we
take aud land our passengers.
doubtless the time will soon arrive when by the
rapid extension Of our city along the Hudson River,
end by the increase Of population along its shore,
will be for the interest OF this road, and for the
convenience OF large number Of our citizens, to
run trains in connection with the Hudson River
Railroad, If such arrangement be satisfactorily
made; and whenever the business will warrant such
connection, be Il sooner or later, il will afford the
directors great pleasure TO make IT,
The interest manifested by the citizens OF Rock
land county in behalf OF the growth and prosperity
OF the city ct New York, Is duly appreciated. The
charges and insinuations against the directors OF
being influenced by private considerations Of gain
or speculations in land in New Jersey or in the
stocks OF the railroads referred to, treated with
the contempt they merit. The directors do not
now, neither have they ever, directly or indirectly,
owned one foot OF land on the shores Of New Jer.
sey, opposite New DIRK, or one dollar in the stocks
ofthc railroads referredto. A large proportion OF
the property OF the directors is invested in real