The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-12

The BROOKLYN FERRTEs-ILLEGAL AcrIoS OF
THE CosPANY.-We recently had occasion to d.
rect the attention Of our readers to the merits of
the controversy now being waged between the
residents OF Brooklyn and the Union Ferry Com
pany in regard to the fresh alterations which the
latter have thought proper to make in their tariff
We gave the company the benefit OF the reasons
alleged by them in justification of these changes,
and We suggested others which might have been
properly urged in their behalf. We did this, of
course, on the assumption that their general ale
cations of loss on the present scale OF tolls are
correct, suggesting at the same time that IL
would tend to satisfy the public mind, and rem
der their own position more impregnabIe, were
they to come out with specific statement Of
their receipts and expenditures. This, for reasons
which may bc very proper and justiliable, the
company have not seen fit to do: but we find that
action has been taken, upon our suggestion, in
the Board of Aldermen, and that the Committee
on Ferries has been directed to investigate into
their proceedings, and to give Irregular profit and
loss statement Of their affairs. Thiswill speedily
test the question as to whether the company arc
dealing fairly and honestly with the public,
and put an end to the excitement and
i'll feeling which now prevail on the
subject. From what We can learn their motive
for Withholding this statement Is one Of expedi-
ency in reference TO future contingency, rather
than any inconsistency between the aycrments
contained in their recent notification and the
facts
Although their reasons for raising the tolls
may be justified on investigation, there is reason
to believe that they win be unable TO sustain one
Of the arrangements they have recently adopted.
They have made rather o singular mistake in sup
posing that they had right to abolish the sys-
tenn denomination In this matter they have no
discretion at ALL the Legislature having expressly
established the principle in the Interest Of the
Brooklyn residents. We qnotc from the second
section Of the law Of 1914
II And be further enacted, That u shAn be lawful
for any The present future residents o.
of the and island OF Nassau 70 compound by the year
snh tho essee or essees Of the sad erry or nh or hss
"a ems tor the Of ten doas per asnum, sud In the
came proportion for eight months for each person %
compromising The privilege Of passing across The said
they or either them shall refase neglect TO com
Iosnd wnh any OF the residents % inbsbiann ~ aore
said on hrs their application In writing delivered In
~ or et n the place Of residences Of the said lessee
or ks.ecs bis or their agent the party asereved a
ter the expiration OF ten days shall ana may recover The
:, n, Of tssp,y dollars, 10 and for his her use
An coats Of suit the said lessee lcssees HE
or their agent or from the person or persons taking
isse at the SAID srry In any court having cosnizsnce
Of the same.
This provision, VIC understand, has never since
lccn repealed, and is as much the law now as when
il was originally passed. 1t is therefore, in the
power Of any of the residents Of Brooklyn desiring
10 commute to compel the company to give them
tickets: and wcprcsume the question will speedily
be ru. 10 the test. Whilst the company, we re.
peat, are justified in raising the tolls to such a
point as will protect them against loss and give
hem fair return for the capital invested, they