The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-09


sors:--
Whereas, the county of New York has, under the
general laws, the same Independent jurisdiction
and responsibility to its citizens the other coun-
ties of the State, and the territorial wants Of its
inhabitants are the in respect to their accom-
mediation with proper highways, especially in the
section of the county beyond the surveyed limits
of the official map Of the city OF New York. filed
determine the same under the act of the Legisla-
ture passed in 1904 to lay out the streets public
places, &C.. in the said city and
Whereas, the said survey was determined upon
quadrangular scheme as far as l55th street,
being so fixed as an ample and judicious ex-
tension of the city, leaving the rest OF the
island to continue in its natural condition, and
to be laid out at the convenience Of the residents
and that the highways beyond the limits of the said
survey or map were then subject to the usages and
laws Of the State and regulated thereby; and
Whereas, heretofore the Mayor Recorder and
Supervisors of the county until tho recent separate
organization oftl,is Board, and therefore it
venient to vest in the Mayor, Aldermen aud Com
monalty, by various special acts, the usual con-
troll over the roads, streets and highways, con-
ierred upon Incorporated cities and villages, as
more particularly specified in the general enact
ment Of 1913, reducing and compiling into one act
so delegated however, nowhere prohibit the exer-
else Of the authority and jurisdiction In tile pre-
misses conferred 10y the acts of 1888 and l94S, in
respect to the ultimate powers OF the several
81
authority now conferred by law for laying out
highways "cannot or will not be exercised as
hereinafter set forth; and
Whereas, said portion of the county not laid out
by the Commissioners aforesaid has been hab
tualy neglected, and the convenience and interests
of the owners Of property and the public disre-
garded in the course of the vast expenditures for
Improvements within the limits of the official sur
vey aforesaid, the Corporation systematically re-
fusing even to accept the jurisdiction Of roads laid
out by the residents and except as to the main and
indispensable highways, neglecting to work or re:
pair the needfu cross roads of this thckly settled
neighborhood; and
Whereas, that various petitions and applications
have been put forth, without avail by the residents
of the aforesaid section of the county ad-
dressed to the boards Of local legislation and
also to the Legislature Of the State, praying
for relief from the uncertainty, inconvenience and
other disadvantages OF the mode in which their
highways are regulated and determined at present.
and that the value of property, the natural beauty
and attractvenes, Of the upper section of the coun
ty, as well as the better accommodation of the pub
lie at large would be greatly promoted by reyi-
sion Of the regulations now prevailing, and the
adoption Of judicious system of roads to be car
ried out in the said section of this county, beyond
the surveyed limits of the streets of the city of
New York, to wit, above and north Of l55th street;
and
Whereas, these objects could most conveniently
and satisfactorily be met by the remedy provided
under the general laws of the State in regard to
laying out highways, in the manner provided
ways by the several boards of Supervisors where.
by the right of appeal to jury of freeholders and
to the Supreme Court is guaranteed, and the local
rights Of property owners protected in every case
Of objection or dispute; and
Whereas, no exception is made to the exercise Of
the power to appoint Special Commissioners of
Highways by the Supervisors of this county, and no
reason exists why relief should not be granted to the
wants of the inhabitants of the locality in question,
except far as the special laws relating to the jul
risdiction of the Corporation within the limits Of the
city Of New York may affect the same, and also the
absence power in these special acts, or under the
general laws to authorize the right to close any of
the existing roads in the said district and
Whereas, the appointment Of Special Commits
sioners Of Highways by this Board would be highly
eXpedient and desirable, to exercise the powers of
such officers under the general laws Of the State.
within the said district Of this county, north of
l55th street. together also with the power to close
existing roads, and general power to complete
and determine survey and map, to be filed as
final and permanent plan and record of the high
ways Of the said district in like manner the Off
cia map of the city of New York; and that such
permanent map, or survey, could be made peculiar
ly available for the preservation of the Revolu-
tonary monuments and other important historical
features of the topography of said district, and its
crowded patriotic associations, and
Whereas such extended powers for such Special
Commissioners, so to be appointed, can only be OBJ
tanned by an act of the Legislature Of the State,
granting the same /; therefore,
Resolved, That George Bancroft and G.. W. Smith
be appointed, End they are hereby authorized, As
Fptcsl Commssio0er6 oil High under this Board,
New York north Of the limits laid cut in ss official
vey Of the city Of New York to wit ABOVE ls5ih street.
in the said city, said special Comm ssioners 10 be kno
and designated as the "Commissoners OF Washington
Heights'
Resolved That the special Commissioners herein pro.
vced are appointed under the sting limitations OF the
statutes and they hereby authorized TO and
determine in regard to the matter OF suitable ROAD to be
altered, surveyed laid cut worked nished regulated
upon the bats Ct any Of The existing roads proposed
p.ns Of roads respect to which they aye directed to
IN ha ha
Seer the upper borders Of the county Spuyten uyvel
Creek, through the mdolc or along either the east or
west shores Of the said district Gown to the surveyed
mits OF the city at l55b street, between any points
nsce Of such limits which be expsdent and the said
Commissioners sha ascertain the in regard 10 the
failure OF the existing authorities to order and complete
severa roads oil esT provided for by law in the said dis
tIjct rs tDe "Tenib avenue ''tha exterior Htrlc
road, and ohers and the sad Commissioners shall
port the! con to this Board.
Resolved Tba. the said Special Commissioners saall
meet ane orzsnze to receive and hear applications aui
petitions of sne inhabitants OF the ssd dstrct aad
other citizens Of tne county in respect to 'he hea 7ys
he said dstsic sni they shall also examine al the said
roads and The a, 1s of proposed changes and tns
sites for roads; ,Dey shall asceItsn aad ent,r Oh
record al the rosds laid GU. and surveyed within the
sail limits indicating those which tho city has decllaed
20 socep aud work az OF pubic nrisdction they sha
in tse bes manner they car ascertain the waots tos
Inhabitants II regard to advisable stem OF roads for
TIE fad district, aud report to this Board TIE best in
their opinon OF combating TIE Interests Of tie property
owners sin tho pubic good regulating the nish ways
toe,ep, rore particularly with view the proper
Communications Of travel Between tbscouaiIes Of New York
a1d NeEscbcStSr.
Resolved That the sad Com rnssioners hereby d.
rected TO make the dra Of embracing such extern
eion OF their they shall Gesn necessary
aole them to carry cut the objects herein specified with
the view that the may be passed upon by t, Board
aud submitted for approval at the next sesson OF the
LegisatrTe
Resolved, That the oNecs in Wow herein contemplated
ia 10 determine st in what mode IL shall be advisable to
regulate The ways aud the OF res
dDs Of tie said district, and therefore the powers
OF tie Commissioners herein provided for shall have
reference for the present 10 the survey and onsr pre-
lirOinAry proceedings aud shall MOI assume to affect
tho reguiaobs and state Of the existing high ways or
author ze the opepiog Of others until the further
action Of this board and the rosed further exeason of
the OF said Commissioners by the State Lsgsla
tdre Also the hearing OF any objection suggestion
snch the corporate authorities of the city Of Now York
may offer in the premises.
Resolved, Tba. the Commissioners herein provided be
restricted to the OF suuh facilities az the Corporation