The New York herald., 1861-12-29
MUNICIPAL AFFAlRS.

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Another StupendOus JOh-A Hafiroao
Franchise Worth q Million OF Dollars
Given Away-An injunction Served
upon the Committee ON Markets Rela-
tive 20 the Fort Ganscvoort Property,
Sc.
BOARD or couNoILMEN.
This Board Saturday evening, pursuant to adj
iournment, Morgan Jones presiding As the
minutes OF the previous meeting read and ap-
proved,
Mr. MILLER presented petition OF the Central Park
North and East River Railroad Company for the privi
ege OF constructing and running railroad through South
and West streets, Whitehall Front Monroe, Jackson,
Old slip and other streets.
Mr. ORION in very able speech, opposed the prayer
Of tho petitioners, observing that the franchise which
the Common Council asked give away worth
million Of dollars that responsible parties willing
to pay the city for it, and to make the fare for passen
gers three cents
Mr. said that tho intimation which the Board
had Of this important measure was q petition
from certain Interested individuals and then member
the adoption Of resolutions granting them the pri
vilege.
Mr.. STEVENSON was in favor Of the petition, believing
that II the railroad were made property up town would
increase in value
Mr.. ORION admitted that fact but inquired ii II was
right for the Common Council to give away railroad
franchise worth million Of dollars, without compsnsa
tionS 1t that required calm discussion and
reflection before members voted for IT,
motion 10 refer the paper 10 the Committee on Rail-
roads was lost.
Mr. Pcxsxy said that the people up ought TO have
something to say about this before 1t
ried The company petioned for this privilege
only required to their up to Fifty ninth street.
and the only designed TO benefit certain in
tsrescd parties Mr. Pinckney 10 speak about
how the members going to vote when hs was called
to by tho President who said he would NOT allow
him caechise the vote Of any member Of the Board
Mr.. PNcKxKy-I regret that the shoe pinches any
where.
An amendment was offered, proposing to compel the
company to carry passengers for three cens which was
lost.
Mr. HOGAN then moved the previous question: but this
audacous frownsd upon by those who were
in favor Of the swnds, and he yielded to their impor
tunites 10 withdraw the motion.
The discussion Of the matter continued At great
length and every parliamentary stratagem was resorfed
by the minority prevent the passage Of the resou
tions
Mr. PmcKMY inquired Of member thus ;-Have You
got your check
Mr. KExH called attention to the law Of tho Legislature
granting the company their charter, stating that
they could seriously affect private property In
the construction Of the railroad. Let not said the
speaker plundcr by RETAIL as we are going to do 1t by
wholesale.
Mr. ORION affirmed that the charter of the company
general license persons to do everything they pleased
for their own benefit.
Mr. LENT remarked that straws showed which way the
wind blew. The resolutions which the Board called
upon adopt drawn by the parties interested in
their passage. He ventured to say that the members
who would for them had perused the act OF
tho Legislature granting this privilege If such out
rage, carried Central Park might be
taken for stable and personal property might be sacr
feed to confer upon certain individuals, non
residents OF the city Of New York. valuable franchise
for which the citizens Of this city willing to pay
liberal price. the city Of Baltimore could run horse
railroad and receive large income for the city
why could not the city Of New York do much more'
motion TO print the petition and resolutions also
lost.
Mr. PNoKNKy moved an amendment, taxing the compa
cent each passenger which also promptly
voted down, but not without desperate struggle
part Of the minority.
Mr. PScKNYY said he perceived some Of the members of
the Board anxious force tho measure through
but be would remind the Board OF how much money
might be realized to the city by the sale OF this franchise
Mr. HOGAN moved the previous question, whersupon a
Mr. ORION handed up protest, which the President de-
clned receive would he it III, member
The vote was then taken the petition and resolutions
which resulted as follows
AFmatiuc- c-Councilmen Barney, Hogan, Shannon,
Miller, Ryan, Gross Repper Hazeton, Stevenson Long,
Curnen Brce and Brandon-13.
Ngare-Councilmen Hall, Jones, Smith, Lent, Keech,
0rton, Cleveland Ottwell, Pinckney and Trotter-l0.
Mr. Bickford was the only member who was absent
Mr. PIScKNgy, in explaining his vote, said that he
voted no" because it was huge swpds, in which the
members Of the Common Council were doubtless nte
rested.
When the was announced the PRESIDENT instructed
the reader read Mr. Orton's protest. which was also
signed by the members who voted in the negative They
protest against granting the prayer Of the petitioners
tho that Violation Of section Of th
amended charter which required the sale Of all fran.
chises to be made by public auction and to the highest
bidder and to give away valuable franchises vo.
Iaton Of the true intent and meaning Of the charter
The resolutions not sent to the reporters table
as is usually done with papers, but Immediately taken to
tho other Board that the members Of tho press could
not copy them. said by attache Of the Board
that the Mayor had left instructions to have a the
papers passed by the Common Council that evening sent
to his residence.
Mr. HOGAN presented resolution setting forth
that, inasmuch certain members Of the Board
Judge Hilton, prohibiting them from taking action
upon the ordinance known the "Gansevoort
property the Corporation Counsel directed give
the Board his opinion to the validity Of tho injunction
before the next meeting Of the Board. In connection
with that, he handed in affidavit Of James Taylor,
denying the charges made by Alderman Dayton that he
(Taylor) attempted to bribe him to favor Of the
purchase Of the Gansevoor property which was read
The resolution Of inquiry adopted.
Aspecial committee was ordered to investigate into
the question to whether Alderman Dayton other
members Of the Board approached reference 10
this Gsnsevoort property
Resolutions were adopted concurring TO make the
daily Times and World Corporation papers.
Resolutions in favor of giving $3.50 to each Of mo
clerks extra services, ;, lost for want Of con-
stitutiona vote, aftor which the Board adjourned till
Monday.
Final Passage OF the Great Belt Railroad
Charter I'm the Board OF Aldermen.
This Board met last evening, President Genet in the
chair.