The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-28

THINE CENT RAILROADS. has now been
sufficient experience in street railroads to instruct
us in come degree upon the subject Of the passage
fare, and the conclusion ut which arrive 10, that
five cents is too high charge. The lessees Of tho
several roads throughout the city not the only
parties interested in these enterprises. The city,
community, has q large interest involved. It's
,N.ure growth and expansion win msinly depend on
,ba facility ans cheapness Of transit from one point
- another Il ia the want of such means L,.nr,,
that has expanded the population latsrally, and
built up Brooklyn and Williamsburg Tue rapidly
chan gng centre Of trade from the southern extremity
to a point higher up town, is doing much towards
retaining the population on the island; but more
than that must be done to keep it here. Street
railroads will prove to be as conservative of our
population as ferries have proved themselves to be
capable Of drawing it off, to the increase of the bur-
then of taxation upon those who remain; for, while
the residents Of Brooklyn, and other suburban Cities
derive their income from New York, they spend i.
elsewhere, and do not even contribute to the OK
penses OF the city government. These roads, it
seems, have become kind Of necessity, and the
great point is now to regulate them with judgment
their movoments-ascertain and establish the lowest
rates Of fare at which the essees may be fairly COM
pensated for their capital and enterprise. Were the
income of the Sixth and Eighth avenue railroads
made known, it would be found 70 nearly double re-
muneratiIg receipts. The Board Of Aldermen, hav-
ing granted gratutousy, for next to nothing the
exclusive prvileg Of laying rails in Broadway, have
now the opportunity Of giving tho people, for whose
convenience this railroad is alleged to have been
started, the benefit of cheap fare, which will
pensate them for voting away so much of the public
property to few individuals, while at the Same
time it will do injury whatever to the company,
or lessen their profits in the slightest degree. But
be that as it may, the most important interest and
that which should be considered first in all cases, is
that Of the people themselves The amount of con.
venience and comfort afforded to them, and tho ex-
pense for which such accommodation is afforded,
is paramount to every other consideration,
The convenience Of the people requires an
increase in the number and direction of tho
lines of road. Their comfort equally demands com.
mo6ious cars, and stringent regulations against
overloa ding or tn, admission Of any person for
whom there is not vacant seat. The ready re needy
for overlooking is an increase in the number OF
cars The rate OF charge is 70 less impor ;ant six
cents on enc road and FIVE cents on the other are
rates too high for the public advantage and for per.
manent success. The city Of Brooklyn increa sed
very slowly until ferriage was reduced below four
cents. When it was put to two cents the growth of
the city received an extraordinary impulse and no
when the charge il reduced cent, it's extension
is outstrippng New York itself, and the value of
property has nearly doubled in two years; while the
miserable stand still policy of the people of Jersey
City, still permitting charge Of four cents, is
tsrding the expansion Of their population, keeping
property at its old price, and obstructng Tie gsner
al prosperity, by lettering the merchants Of New
York, and others doing business here, from select
ing that side of the water for their residences SINH
lar results to those produced in Brooklyn will follow
here from moderate rates for railroad fares aud the
value Of property will be enhanced up town. and the
city will rapidly spread itself up the island Bring
the remote parts into easy and cheap communication
with the business centre, and the disposition to
CAPE from within the limits will be greatly modified if
not entirely removed Let the fare therefore, be at
once put down to three cents for any distance Bring
the price of ride down to the means Of those who
while they work the hardest, and do most to build
up our city, receive tho lowest compensation for
their toll That class which in general are least
considered in calculations of this kind, and whose
comfort, convenience and expenses are too seldom
regarded as worthy of any serious attention. Fix
the price within the reach Of the numerous female
operatives, who are now compelled to travel miles
on foot Let the price be SO low that all may par
tcipate in the advantage of street railroads. and
ceive some compensation for the public property voted
away to the various companies.