New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-06-07
CITY ITEMS.

Rock BLASglNG.-NcsSrs. Editors
About week since. two gentlemen residing IN Twea
tv-n.nth-st waited Oh MAYOR Kngsland and repre.
scented 70 him that their families and neigh5ors were
exposed 20 imminent danger from the careless blast;
ing OF rocks IN that vicinity. They exhibited and
ielt with HIS Honor. fragments which had been
thrown on their premises, heavy enough to Kill an OF
or an elephant falling, not on distant or unlreQuenl-
cd parts but at their very doors, where members OF
the family pass and repaSS every ten minutes OF the
day The Mayor noted the facts and promised 10
give the matter his immediate attention, SINCE which
we have heard nothing concerning II. Meanwhile,
the blasting has gone on under the superintendent
of an ignorant and reckless man, who pays no heed
10 The fears and the cautions OF those whose lives
endangered. On Monday last, fragments OF rock
weighing 10 pounds. were thrown distance OF sew
eral hundred feet. and lell on The sidewalk of the
NTH hOuSc scattering smaller pieces over all the IN
tervcning space. The iron railing IN front OF the
house Of l.. j. Porter E> Mas struck by large mass
and broken like ppe->iem. The wrought ron sup
port OF his courtyard gate, nearly cube inch Sohd
Was much bent by the violence OF the blow. InlS IS
the only passage of mgICsS and egrcSs OF The nolse
The writer of TINS notice passed the quarry on We
nesday afternoon and seeing the men al work suspect
cd no danger. lie had not reached the limits ot The
shower of rocks Oh Monday before he was startled
by terrible explosion, ana looking back saw hyiag
IN all directions over The street and sidewalks fag-
mCntS large enough 10 KIN any one whom they miyht
At No dldiN Wa ki ven 10 ltNNtkttc u With tftn
of the danger. Two men were struck oy pieces
which happened 20 be too small 10 lnAlct injury.
The writer kp0rS that the owners of the quarry
have been advised again and again of these or similar
facts. lie has himself gwen civil caution 20 the
conductor OF the blasting, that Il was dangerous 10
human life and received for answer. that he " knew
It, but It could not be helped" This l. the point 20
which he desires 10 direct the attention OF the City
authortleS.-t an It be helped" or mott Has the
Mayor any authority, or II he has none, has he any
dpfeS the chief officer of the City, IN these prem
lScSi
Il cannot be considered diSrespcctiul 10 His Honor
10 start this inquiry. to nothing OF the pri-
waite ntercesSion OF citizens, he must have become
informed of all the material facts of the case, by the
numerous complaints which have been published for
many weeks past IA our daily papers As public
officer he has no right 20 be ignorant of matter that
Is so notorious re does not deserve the respect Of
those whose lives are al continual hazard through
his indifference on mcficency He cannot blame
them for asking whether the executive power OF his
office extends beyond the old womens appcStantS,
and the omnibus drivers, who 20 too fast one day
and too SLOW the next and some empty boxes on the
sldeN ALI, and other matters OF equally tnhlng I'M
p0rance IL Is easy 20 be great on small things like
these. but such greatness Is no credit 10 any man.
There are real and serious grievances which are
much and often complained OF by respectable clll-
zcnS and tins dangerous rock-blaStlng IS one OF
them.
| may state the result of my own observation,
that no provision whatever - made TO prevent the
rocks from flying IN all directions few heavy
umberS. strongly rOped together and lald over the
blast would answer every purpose. The charge OF
powder should be moderate at the same time. Ons
or two hours OF attention by His Honor IN the same
energetic manner in which he oyerhrew the old
womens appestands would correct tins evil. O.