The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-08

this petition let us look at somo OF the claims made.
What right nave the Mayor ana Common Council TO
compel the Madison avenue and Filth avenue stage
lines TO extend their route 7
Mr. TowNsEsD-I aid not draw up that petition.
Mr. Mayor and there are some things In 1t which
perceive are decidedly impracticable.
Mayor HALL-Can we compel the Harlem Rail-
road to stop at convenient points between Harlem
and Forty-second street2
Mr. TOWNSEND made virtually the Same reply as
above.
Mayor HALL.-Then we might compel the Harlem
Railroad Company 20 run dummy engines. but about
obhglng them to go IRON Harlem to Fourteenth
street In afteen minutesr think that would rest
petition with which entirely coincide that ia where
1t saws 'We are forced 10 add that the time mas now
arrived when something must be dOne,u Now. let
me ask again, what right have the Common Council
to grant francnise where one already exists2
Mr.. TowEsEND--LegalIy tank the Common Coun-
Gil have the right to grant nalf dozen franchises
The only question Is one OF expectancy. Mr. Town
send then reiterated ms request that the application
should be submitted by the Mayor TO the Common
Council and that he would look after the contractor
who had charge Of the grading Of Madison avenue
Mayor HALI-About this .outragen business and
neglect the part or our local O1lclas.p There
cannot be any neglect In the ma Ter, Us the Common
Counci cannot make any stage line or create route
until there are applications presented asking for It,
Mr.. f0wNsESD-I understand there has been such
an application made, but don't know personally OF
any previous application having been made TO your
honor or the present Common Council.
Mayor HALI-Thls the first application that has
il to the Common Council. and there my power
ends. And 1t seems to me that 1t may he q
question II the majority OF the property owners
along the route petition for 1t, whether the Common
Council will not be obliged to grant it, II that be
q correct view under the statute 1t Is not only
ineXpedlent but undiplomatc to commence opera
tons in regard TO- TINS by inveighing against the
Common Council. shall submit 1t TO the Common
Council bat beyond that you must do the work.
With all difference to whatever gentlemen drew up
this petition, must say that 1t seems TO me like o
very clever plagiarism OF the Mayors last message.
Now, aside from my Official capacity, as an ndiyl-
dual, must say no point lmpresses me more than
the subject OF rapid local transit regard It as of
regard TO stage routes, think they belong more to
the past, and would say IN allusion to the remarks
against the Filth and Madison avenue lines that
against anybody else getting an opposition. We are
all human, and think any Of you gentlemen would
do the same thing. In regard to voting against
any mayor, assemDyman, senator, &C., l think
80, too. Tnis IL matter Of public good. ana any
public officer who votes against 1t should be voted
against But this is the first time that ever heard
OF any New YORK Senator or Assamblyman charged
with neglect to vote for railroad; the complaint
has been that they were rather too lavish in giving
out franchises. fnis is certainly matter between
the Common Council and the public good, ana the
part. will set the bali in motion but whether 1t
will turn out to De football or base ball remains
municatlOn has been by sort of guerilla warfare;
applications made by lotteries rather than masses,
and the gentlemen In the upper part OF the city are
keeping up this spirit OF working together in tins
matter: and when the Legislature comes TO under
stand that there are no more Clique or cotere appi
cations but applications made by those who not
only point out the mischief, but also suggest the
remedy, they will cooperate with you. What you
need Is railroads for rapid transit
The MAYOR then went on to speak at length or the
practicabiiity OF the Underground Elevated and
pneumatic railway SYSTEM and SAID that the great
difference between this country and those which
systems had been carried out was that In those
counties capital Is petboro. Capital jostles capital,
But here the people cannot AFFORD or wont a1oId TO
years. When man can go down TO wall street snd
invest S. COO and realize rapidly he WON'T put IL IN
railroad which takes i've years TO build. Capital Is
the difficulty, and you nave 70 aRltate not only for
power but for popularity among capitalists. am
glad we have come 60 some understanding and that
1t can take this practical form.
MIR. TOwNsEND-The application will require your
appreciation before the Common Council can act on
It, and take 1t that 1t does not need your signature
after 1t Shall have passed the Common Councll.
MIR. TowNsEND-Ii the matter were passed we have
stages horses harness, anu all necessary to so right
Mayor HALL-The granting OF such privilege may
involve the city In law suit. But assuming that
there Is no legal oppos ton III the way, certainly
approve OF your application. AS to putting the
Stages on tomorrow, DON'T think 1t would do to
interfere with the vested rights OF the corporations
holding franchises until the subject was fully
decided
4 gentleman win blonde beard and very strong
spectacles said-Mr. Mayor, in regard to those
esnsa Ei0bts would ask YOU as one Of the sufferers
nue. ea and Nadsoa nes 20 request to the Fh ave
their stages up as far their franchises allow
let them give us the relief We ask or let somebody
else do 80.
Mayor HALL-In reference to the grading OF Nad,
son avenue the trouble seems TO be somewhat that
the building gong on on either side nerferes The
great difficulty is that the Department are moi homo
genous. The Croton Aqueduct Department acts
Independently OF the Street Department, and have
no control either. IL has been claimed that the
Crot0n Aqueduct Department Is Legislative com
mission but that is contested.
MIR. Townsend again referred to the grading OF
Madison avenue, and explained how the contractor
having the work was amassing wealth at the incon-
venlence OF the residents OF the nelghborhood.
After fOme further desulory conversation the Mayor
said that he would attend to the matter after which
the gentlemen Withdrew