The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-28
The Common Council.

The Common Council.
yh. NJ. TWEED, OF THE SEVENTH WARD,
AND THE NSw FERRY BETWEEN NEW YORK AND
WILLIAMSBURG.
In the Board OF Aldermen, on us'dsy evening,
this ferry bill passed. mainly through the exer
lions Of Alderman Tweed, who was not only mem
Der Of the committee that reported in its favor put
advocated its passage with all his powerful energies,
amid one Of the most exciting debates ever known
IN the Common Council Alderman TWEED, during
the protrasted debate, in substance, said:-
Mr.. President, whence comes this powerful OPP
position to the establishment of ferry that has
been SO long desired, accommodation to that
numerous and useful class of mechanics and m err
chants who are compelled go often to pass pe.wgch
New York and the NEST southeriy section OF VII
Hamburg Sir, do the members OF this Board 10.
member the long list OF petitions durpg me present
tablishment of this ferry And that these peti-
tiens from MS respectable, honorable and indus
ious classes of society as can be found IN any part
Of the civilized world I Instead Of the deadly hos
tility hitherto manifested to this bill, and on the
present occasion, the ferry should have been es-
tablished years since Those who SO earnestly
desire this ferry, live on and near the boundary
line that divides Brooklyn and Williamsburg, aud
have NO immediate conveyance to New York,
without going q long distance north or south
TO the nearest ferry. TO the humble me-
chanic, (who depends on his daily labor for his
must DO apparent to every member here that it is
extremely hard, especially in bad weather,
to ploa through sleet, and mud, and snow, to
the far distant ferry in order to reach bus place
receiving the denunciation Of his "boss because he
did not arrive earlier in the morning: The poor
mechanic, and laboring man, and clerk, are thus
often denounced and their pride and manly feelings
sersly bruised because they did not do what it is
utterly impossible for them to do in consequence Of
eur remissness and gross injustice in not aftordng
them the means OF q more direct communication
from their homes to their workshops and places OF
business in New York. hear o member say that
tho mechanics Of Williamsburg should come over to
New York and live Let me tell the member that
Il ID not an easy thing for man who has warm
heart in his BOSOM and who loves his home, to sud-
dsnly leave his old homestead, with which is asso-
eatsd the fervor and civilizations Of boyhood. Be-
sides, the habitations in this city sufficiently
crowded, without the removal Of the nhaSitants Of
better for New York and Williamsburg If thousands
Of our mechanics and working men, with their be-
loved wives and children, should 60 to the pure
connection, / viii inform this body that was
last week solicited to visit poor sick family, resid-
ing in large cheaply constructed four story brick
house. in the OF one Of our prominent thorough
fifty families in the building. How, you may ask,
sould they be thus densely packed! will tell you in
deta rs the story rather puzzled me- until was o.
ssrted into an apartment, where found four faml-
my utter amazement, learned that of the fami-
lies thus charcoaled off had two boarders. That is
the sacred truth, end will afford some idea OF the
packed and wretched condition Of thousands on
Thousands of human beings in this great metropolis,
that boasts of 80 much happiness and prosperity.
Hany member of the Board desire it, or any philan-
thropic citizens, who have few shilngs to spare,
win shssruy accompany them to tni: abode to OF
tho time We Leave the City Hall. can introduce
You to such pitiful specsacles as few can csntem-
plate realize who more highly favored by the
suss.sted In this protractsd debate, sbous the happy
and contented people of Williamsburg removing
from their pure, invigorating ocean air, to New
York, with its outrageously high rents to
members will dispassionately and disinterestedly
consider these grave matters, and grant the
ferry in question, without further delay. The
bill proposes that the ferry terminus shall be in the
extreme section of South Williamsburg, near the
boundary line that separates North Brooklyn from
Seath Williamsburg The other terminus Of the
ferry shall be at Catherine street, in New be-
tween the Grand street and Peck slip ferries, being
most central and convenient location to all Glasses
Of citizens passing from either shore. And here it
may be proper state that the proprietors of the
Brooklyn and Catherine street ferry are expanding
some twenty Thousand dollars in the improvement Of
their ferry and that the proprietors Of the ferry
Lease now before us also propose to expend twenty
thousand dollars Gf they permitted by US to es
tablish It, in order to have ferry that will be Gre
QltaDle TO south Williamsburg, ana c0nvenlont anu
pleasant to those passing between New York and
Bouth williamsburg. am authorized to say, more
over that they will have as fast ferry boats can
be found in the East North rivers In view Of all
this, / do sincerely trust that all the members Of
this body who would promote the convenience and
common welfare Of our citizens, on the New York
and Long Island shores, will seriously consider
these propositions in the light of justice, and great
public utility, and accommodaton'to large body Of
our fellow. citizens who are constantly passing be-
tween New York and South Williamsburg. And
do hope that we shall vote unanimously for this i'm
portant ferry lease, and without the utterance Of
another syllable against establishing this desirable
convenience. Not syllable was uttered against it.
The vote was taken, and only one vote recorded
in the negative. The citizens of South williamsburg
to Alderman Tweed for his indcfatigabe cxertions
Ia sffectng the establishment Of this important ferry