New-York tribune., 1867-03-12
NOM ZIP

Tho signs OF the times indicate n pretty liberal
| assortment of questionable Railroad legislation
at Albany this session. We have had so much
to say on this head in past years that we are
half inclined TO say little or nothing now, but
stand by and look on. We cannot offer the
members so much cash in hand for voting right
as they can easily get for voting wrong,
and other arguments would seem OF little
| avail. Judging by the fate of the Board of
| Public Works, we conclude that the lobby has
| the Legislature by the nose, and will lead 1t
whithersoever it wills defying all exposure
or remonstIancc. Yet, before we turn away III
despair, we would utter few words of admo-
milton with regard to one measure that is like
good many others-the bill "to facilitate the
construction of the NewYork and Albany
Railroad"
We have already two railroads hence TO
| Albany through that narrow strip of our State
| which lies east of the Hudson River, while much
the lager portion of the travel comes from the
west side Of that stream. 1t is. therefore, wise
| and proper TO construct railroad along the
west bank. and We have a strong personal in
| terest in its early completion Such II road
could not fail to add considerably to the circu-
| lation and sale of THE TRIBUNE and we hope
| to chronicle its completion at an carly day.
But tho road is one thing and the bill before
us quite another.
A road along the west bank of the Hudson,
trayersing or skirting the important villages of
| Haverstraw. West Point, Newburgh, Saugerties,
Kingston, RondOut, Catskill, Coxsackie, &c,
&c, and intefcepting the travel of a rich and
wide back country, ought to pay fair dividends,
il economically built with cash in hand. Ten
millions of dollars ought TO construct, equip,
and stock it; and, if thus built, 1t could
hardly fail TO pay ten per cent interest
thereon. And there is ample wealth
in the region il will traverse to construct it
without mourning dollar of debt. The bril-
liant success Of tho Hudson River Railroad
whose stock went begging, and which was
built with the money OF men who hardly ex-
pected it to pay dividcnd-ought to fill up
tho books in q week. Newburgh, Saugerties,
Kingston and Catskil ought to build it, if they
were obliged to furnish every dollar.
But, instead of proposing to build il as the
two roads on this side of the river have been
built, the projectors of the New-York and
Albany Road brand their ba9tng a pauper in
the cradle and send il begging in its swaddling
clothes They have concocted an elab-
orate scheme for bonding towns and vii
lagos by popular vote under the aus
pices of three commissioners, charging 50
each por day chosen in each, and author
ized to subscribe for stock and issue bonds III
behalf of their township or village. There is
machinery enough in the bill for the govern
ment OF India; the road, with all ts appurte-
nances, Is to be exempt from taxation till in
running order; and the City of New-York is
| an Iuadt 10, l.,.I 10 Al
to the extent of s1,oOOOOO, as Albany likewise
may to the extent of S5OO0OO.
Even at the risk of inslrng its success, we
must protest against this most Objectionable
scheme. There can be no need of it, as there's
is no reason in it. This road ia not to run across
the desert of Sahara, nor the desolate Plains of
North America, but through a rich and flour
isling country, thicky inhabited by thrifty,
fore-handcd people. The enhanced value of
! real estate alone within five miles of its