New-York tribune., 1867-04-20
LEGLSLATION-,JOBBRRT-WHARTES

New YOrk has the largest commerce of any
city on the globe, London only excepted.
Should Interoceanic Canal, with the Rail
roads now in progress, or in contemplation,
destined to connect the Atlantic with the Pa
cifc, be promptly constructed, the exception
will cease to exist about the close of the
present century. And, though London has
as vet the larger trade, her natural facilities
for extensive commerce are strikingly inferior.
Our magnificent bay, wherein all the vetsels OF
the globe might ride at anchor. and the ad-
mirable frontage afforded by our two great
rivers, proffer advantages unparalleled through
out the civilized world.
But, when we pass from the bounties OF Provl-
dcnce to their improvement by man, all cause
for graduation is lost The genius of Clinton,
the daring conception Of the great Erie Canal
have made New York, in her own despite, the
great commercial emporium of this continent;
but she has.added little of her own device. She
should be the cleanest and healthiest of great
capitals; she is one Of the filthiest, most moi
some, and her rate OF mortality is quite hlgh.
With the grandcst approaches, the most capa-
clous bay, the noblest and most extensive
waterfront, she has the vilest lot of Piers and
and Wharves of any great mart OH earth Com
nared with the Docks of London or even Liver
pool, they are simply a nuisance and disgrace.
The cost and waste of landing goods from sea-
going vessels. cartng them to store, thence back
to our tumble down wharves, and placing them
on steamboats,, sloops, canal-boats, &C., mnst
amount to Millions more per anDum than would
be that of hoisting them into great fire proof
Warehouses; huilt directly on the Wharves,
thence transferring them Immediately to the
smaller craft or cars destined to bear them
inland TO their destination. These squandered
Millions are as much an obstacle to the growth
of our City as Il shifting, dangerous sand-bar
across the mouth of our harbor would be. They
are a tax on the Industry as we'll as Il clog To
the Commerce of our whole country and every
citizen has direct interest in their removal
Our last Legislature, being asked to take
the needful steps TO secure the erection OF
suitable Wharves and Piers, devolved on an
able Committee the duty of thoroughly iuves-
tgating the subject in the recess between the
session Of 1865 and that of 1867. That Com
mittee fulfilled its trust; and, after hearing all
Interested, reported by bill at the present ess-
sion. That bill had the hearty support OF the
Chamber of Commerce, of the Ship-ownerss
Association, of the great steamship lines, and
of the Canal and Railroad interests generally
It's passage would have enhanced the trade OF
our City, by diminishing the cost of transfer
ring and rans-shipping Produce and Goods
Ii was so clearly in accord with the general
interest that but tco votes were cast against IT
when il passed the Senate. Yet, when it came
before the House, it encountered powerful OPP
position from the Lobby. headed by it's Father
and was there killed. Why killed! Here is
what is said by certain inspired" journals:
Ifosi The A1aay Be,stag Jos.aoi
"sATAS REBUKIS0 SIN
"IIis Imperial Majesty never pronounced sermon on
the moral virtues ridcuously out Of character than
the wordy dcnunoiatons BY TnE TEiBISs. Of what II
calls lobby corruptons and yenali,y it the old cry
bread In his mouth. recltIng the maxim that Honesty Ia
the best policy Thus fOr instance. TnE TRInusE Ii
the Pieq and wharf iii Vas not passed
defeat Of that measure TO tho pressnce OF oppy ana ma
only lobby which appeared At the CaP,o ID ihis matter
st ali were used 20 procure spassase Had theee efforts
proved success the stock oJ the New. YORK Pier and
Warehouse Company now comparatively yaiuees would
have been brought up 20 par thcreahouts IN conse
quence OF the monse franchise proposed " DC donated
TO IT, Aud the yirtu0us interest OF TIE TRIBUNE ~ e1
lnsnt on tSe subject is t. stock
is held by prominent member Oh ~ I r m hs nsOca ca
coanut About fOurfifths of al ts tNadde about br
equally unSubstantial foundation"
ZION TI< LocL1f,s Democrat
The wharves and Piers bill Was defeated In the House
last Saturday by very emphatic majority, ~ pre-
dicted in our last letter There were ssmo revelations
made IN regard 10 its real purpose which added to the
general feeling In the Republican party that the COmls
Sion business for NewYok been carried quite far
enough, made the defeat Of the measure inevitable IL
was shown that the bill principally feeder for the
Pier and Warohousing Company corporation which
obtained its franchise from the Legislature two
This fancy company issued several millions ofstock but
considerable amount Of capital was ever paid In fhs
sSSk 10 rs control of s WarTes sa% p %
and give their rebuilding and repairing TO tins corpora
stock Thereby hangs tale IL Is stated by those who
E,ow that one OF the principal shareholders In THH
1ocS Of NE per and I
the lively interest which that disinterested journal has
Remuneration Of the large number of Republicans who
voted against thu Job 90 ondy nused and fostered ny
'Ths why THE TRIBUSE, like the unctious Pceksniff,
turns its sanity eyes hcayenward and exolaims Let
not I'm favor with THE TRIBUNE Association aud
to nnchIng fat legislative Jobs which cost
the yoto OF independent legislators rob them OF one OF
these sayory feshpos they vent their hungry iHaign9
1t being thus proclaimed that the ownership
of some stock in some company by some one
who has an interest in THE TRIBUNE has
served as q pretext for the defeat of this most
important and bene6cent measure, we have for
the first time inquired into the matter, and as
certained that the obnoxious clause in the bib
is Vcrbdhm as follows: ~.
Nothing in this act contained shall be- held 20 interfere
with any right authority conferred upon the NewYork
Pier and Warehouse Company by chapter 5G of the laws
Of 1865. or by chapter 500 Of the laws Of 1895"
That is the whole offense. Some person to
us unknown has obtained patent for u new
and superior combination of Wharf, Pier and
Warehouse; and, as the plan requires large
capital, company has been formed to put his
plan into execution. Our last two Legislatures