The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-20
Brooklyn CITY News.

BrOOkIy1 lily N0W6s
Tns Uncs FERRY QUESTION IN TIE BROOKLYN COMMON
CouSul4-The following Communication from the Drec
tors Of he Union Ferry Company presented to the
Common Conncil last night
To HONORABLE MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF
CRY or BROOKIyN:-
The undersigned respectfully represent to your honora
pany, of Brooklyn that large part Of the stock Of said
company held by persons living out Of the city, and
hundred and eight that with one or two exceptions
they have never had q large pecuniary interest
in this or any other organization enjoying ferry privileges
between the cities d New York and Brooklyn, and that
some OF their number have been connected with one or
all OF them for long term Of years. rendering grauitoas
portance the Of Brooklyn especially that the
communication between the cities should be commodious
and cheap the safety Of life and limb being Of paramount
regard thatwithout direct interest OF any moment IN
the property of the company of which they are
the managers, they have at all times underworld
to administer its affairs with express reference
to the growth and Improvement Of the city, in the pros
perity of which they have deep and abiding interest,"
hat with THIS end IN view the several ferries now running
consolidation perfected at this time may be attributed the
preservation Of many lines OF communication with the
neghboring cities; Of which could have separately
sustained competition with the Fulton ferry, the large
profits of which charge Of cent per foot passen
GER emboldened the managers think and upon the
belief that under organization the whole could be
maintained at this uniform rate. They were soon
of their and in order to continue the
vices a despo the stockholders they reraced their
steps, incu an amount Of popular reproach gross
undeserved. More recently receipts of the
company have pointed reduction Of the existing rates
and the only obstacle to this has been the uncertainty
TO renewal Of the leases held the value Of their
boats and fixtures depending upon the continuance of the
several ferries and OF one organization andne expiration
at TINE Of the various leases To prepare the way for
change desirabefor reduction in the rates Of fer
riage from which there should be no second return
the undersigned have recently procured from the
Mayor and Common Council of the city of New
York authority determinate the several leases stimuli
taneousy and of the whole for term of ten years
was 70 have taken place on Saturday, the 18th inst The
sale has been averted by injunction of the Supreme
Court or Is only permitted upon terms which would
cude the present company from competitions; and TO the
uncertainties which have hitherto delayed improvements
that much needed now added those of the law
AT the time of the consolidation referred to the under
signed who were for the most part representatives Of the
Fulton Ferry Company 0he former Union Ferry Com
pany) and to certain extent guardians Of a
public trust, for the sake, they believed, of a
public gooo, caused the properly of the COM
into that Of the other ferries running under their
charge. valuation agreed upon far below the orr
gna cost Of each and and the whole COM
all the ferries, except the Fulton Ferry Company being
heavy losers, their property alone being undervalued
formed the original and actual cash
stock Of the company No change has ever been made:
the shares have at all times been in the market for sale
sometimes at par-oftener below than above, and yet
there has been so tleSdsposton to invest the stock
that at the present day it takes upwards Of five
hundred monopolists to engross the whole For all
the risk incident 10 this species Of property such
suit from collisions with ships and steamers and una
vodable accidents TO human lfe the stockholders have
never received over eight per cent and
can receive under the articles of the association more
than ten per cent. Inasmuch then your honorable
body have felt to be necessary for the public interest
to injunction to be put upon the renewal of the
ferry leases except upon conditions which the
essees cannot accede and have been willing to guaran
tee to the city Of New York by resolution OF your
Board, annual compensation for the various
ferry privileges equal to that hitherto pad-provided
the takers OF such leases obligated reestabsh, on
all the ferries rates that only be maintained by the
Fulton ferry the undersigned deem be consistent
with the spirit that has hitherto governed them pro-
pose the extension OF this guarantee against loss under
full legal sanction TO the present propretors il they
should bid for the ferry leases the terms proposed by
your honorable body TO the city of New York. to any
other parties willing undertake the charge in whose
the community will have greater confidence
With this substantial guarantee against loss after paying
The limited dividends 10 the stockholders contemplated
by the articles of association the undersigned managers
u the Union Ferry Company will agree to reduce the
Of foot passengers cent at any Tine within six
months Without 1t boats of the magntRtH and speed
low employed cannot be on ali the hrries on the
erms named unless comforts convenience and life itself
to be held OF secondary Importance cheapness of
are. Respectfully submitted,
Joseph Ketchum, N. B. Morse,
Jas. Howe, Henry Perrepoint,
Horace B. Clann, Eza Lewis,
A. B. Baylis, D. A. Perry,
j. S. 7. Stranahan, a. r. Warrington,
John Blunt, A. A. Low,
c. 7. Smith, John Degraw.
Alderman Dayton presented the report Of the special
,mmittee appointed to confer with the Common Counco
York, relative to the sale of the ferry leases and
Ter discussion the powers Of the committee, the
bove communication referred to them (thc Special
emmttee on Ferries.)