The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-17


The Nineteenth Ward Citixens' Asscc.nficn--
Intcrvicw with Commodore vanderbilt-Thc
Madison Avenue Horse Railroad.
committee appointed by the Nineteenth Ward
Ctlzens' Association to wait upon Commodore VAN
derbilt IN regard TO additional railroad facilities for
communication between down town and the region
between F0rty-second street ana Harlem river ana
between Third avenue and the Park, met at the
New York Honl yesterday morning promptly at
nine O'Clock, and proceeded thence TO the Office OF
the Commodore, on Fourth street, near WOos
ter. The committee was ushered into .
plainly furnished room, and assured by an
attentive and polite little old gentleman
who was in charge that the Commodore was ex.
pectei every minute, and that the gentlemen had
better help themselves to seats and wal. minute
two. lie then went out, and while he was away :
probably hunting up the Commodore, the business
In hand was talked over. One OF the gentlemen
said he had been assured by o delegation OF Tam
many men Of the Nineteenth ward that II the Cti
zens' Association would assist them In the coming
campaign they would see to It that the Madison Ave-
nue. and Fifth Avenue Stage Companies would be
deprived Of their franchises unless they agreed
run the stages up TO SUIT the Association and the
people It represented. That, IN fact, the
matter would be attended to at once. and the de-
sired communication be opened as soon
| as "Wednesday next. The merits OF the candidates
Tor Legislative honorS from The district were can
vassed pretty freely and 1t seemed TO De mutually
agreed upoa TO wait until "Wednesday before ex.
pressing any sentiment ana see II there would be
anything done toward the fulfilment Of the promises
made. One gentleman said there was no use in
putting trust in promises. One Of the members
OF The delegation, by whom the promises alluded
to had been made had held power fully eight years
winch they now nurrledly promise, and he lthe
speakcr) did not believe that anything would be
done IN the matter.
informed the gentlemen that 1.-The Commodore has
had his breakfast; tnars one thing SO he won't be
seats" After little while the door opened quietly
and puH OF smoke from q good cigar entered the
1t and the genial face OF the venerable Commodore
under it.
"Good morning. gentlemen. walk right in"
quotn tho railway king, walking eisIrely INTO a
back room and followed by the committee. The
room was furnished somewhat more tlan the front
room. The walls were covered with pictures aud
models OF boats ana ships, and on hgn Old desk in
one corner was studied "Tabbyn Of large sze ana
with such a goou-natured face that it seemed to
impart an air OF comfort to the place which the fire
cracking in the CRATE could not do alone.
The COMMODORE seated himself at one side OF the
table. anu after dollng ms beaver said, 'Well,
what is The sunlect!'
Mr.. K. ". TOWNSEND, counsel for tho assocl.
they were, what they represented, why the asso-
ciaton had been lormed and said that they thought
SON ' svenue s mat 0'ss would furnish what % tey
needed, aud obvlatc the necessity Of their
hanging by straps ana having their wives
anu daughters crowded ana jammed IKE
cattle III the cars OF the Tnri Avenue
Railroad Company, and that tho association had
appointed the gentlemen present committee to walt
upon the conptroller-the intelligent ana no doubt
pecuniary conptrolier-of the Harlem Railroad,
which, they understood held the franchise for run
ming horse cars on Madison avenue.
vo pns w seaea quietly et " sey
true, &c Mr.. Townsend then went on 10 explain
how the second avenue line worked in the mornings
TO accommodate the people OF Norkvllle md was
avenue had horse cars
Commodore VANDERBILT Hnterruptmgl- stick
right TO the point. Don't go around saying If so
TO have a horse railroad IN Madison avenuel
Mr. TowNsENp-fhat is 1t, precisely
Commodore VANDERBiLT--Weil so do we. We
want n, and are Just as anxious to have lt as Yea
are ihat question have asked our people several
times, and the answer invariably comes, 1T can't
ne done" The grading and paving aud building
sewers continually nitelfefe with Ii. But we don't
ike TO run through the tunnei and byway OF Forty
secSitd street.
Mr. TowNseSD-Your road hns the charter. has 1t?
Mr. VANDGHBLT-only above Forty second street
tilnk the city has the right TO grant the franchise
below that. II
Mr. FoLEy-Ilas the Common Council the power
10 grant the privilege Tor rum NJ railroads below
Fofty-second streetp
Mr.. VANpERDuT-T think SO. i wouldn't cay
Mr.. TDwNsEsD-ln your opinion would It be
practicable TO run the horse cars through tie
MIR. vASDERBILr-They've rot to run through
Cad they can't climb over 1t.
MI. IOWNsEND--Ihen The only delay is the grad
mgr
Mr.. VANDERBILT But IL had my way we
should have no railroads below Fory-secold street.
have assurances from the Street Commissioner
that they intend to pave the avenue from Forty
second to Eghtysxlh street, and when they 10 that
we Shall be sure the street is finished and can 20 on
with our morse railroad.
Mr.. Townsend then referred TO other parts OF the
city IN which the tracks were laid aud running,
although the payements were not laid.
Mr.. FoLEY-That pavement may not be done for
Two years o. more and are we TO suuer all this in
convenience until that Is doncs
Mr.. NANDERBILT-We are anxious TO have ii COM
peted but don't want 10 do a foolish thing and do
1t tomorrow. We might lay the rails aud IN week
or TWO something would be done to cause the re-
mova or change OF the track. We want TO have the
road run down TO Twenty-third street 10 be OF any
real service, and think they should have allowed
US TO run along Lexington avenue.
Mr.. FoLEY--Could any arrangement be made
that the steam cars would stop at certain points
between Forty-second street and Harlenp
Mr.. NANDERBILT-l have thought OF that. tried
to have local trains run to Harlem every twenty
minutes, II you please, the train Just to 20 up to
Harlem ana back again, but 1t could not be done
without interfering with the express trains.
Mr.. FoLEY-But could not the accommodation
trains be stopped IN the mornings and evenings.
Mr.. NANDERBILT-Well, now. Will you just soc our
superintendent, and my son William Mr.. Buck
bout, the superintendent, Is thoroughly ACQUAINTED
with Oil those things, aud am sure could give you
more information than | could. am anxious to
accommodate You, ana give You all the means OF
communication In my power But you just 20 talk
to Nil. Buckhout sad William, and they may be able
to ma Ike some arrangement to suit y0u.
The gentlemen then, thanking the Commodore for
his Kindness and attention, ana alter exchanging a
"g0Ou molllng' with MIN, withdrew,