The New York herald., 1869-03-13
SIDEWALK DISTRACTIONS.


Usurpations OF the sidewalks Of the city have been
SO rapidly progressive and promise such continuous
progressive developments that 1t Is time some stri-
gent measures were adopted to put stop to these
illegal encroachments Mayor Hall, with his broad
and intuitive conceptions OF the rights OF the public
In tins regard, 10 evincing just determination TO
oust these sidewalk squafters and prevent con-
tinuation Of their glarng infringements upon the
public domain. -, ss~,.~ Z :. Z. -ss.,f&s<,,--
A primeval exercise OF doubtful charity BY the
Common Council introduced the peanut stands
and apple stands, the cigar stands and soda
stands, the ice cream stands and root beer
stands the refreshment stands and all the multi
tudnous stands OF small vendors Of sma wares With
which the sidewalks abound Granting permission
to some aged and helpless widow crippled old man.
having no other means OF subsistence. to occupy a
portion Of the sidewalk and this was the inception OF
the evil which has now grown into an uubearaole
nusance-a peanut or apple stand, and thus ena-
bling them 10 e&e ouI a living and become selfsup-
porting instead OF r burden AID expense 70 the
city, was, 10 a certain extent, tustiuahe.
The time was when these permits were only
granted TO such persons as those rc,srrcd to,
and one ventured 70 optrude hs stores OF street
merchandise upontne sidewalks without permission
from the Common Council apd street Commissioner.
The times have changed. Permits are noL th0rrnt
OF, are not asked for, and IN no wise constitute
our sidewalks. strappiny hale men anj Wo-
men, ENJOYING q superfirlty or robust health,
III disposed to hard and honest labor. a1i
having no scruples on the subject OF adding
to tine bills OF mortality through the viiianousiy
unnea,ni cnarac1Sr "a n,v ona s aousp ,o tn
the evil and that is to do away with Il entirely ana
at once-to sweep out OF existence all these stands :
to Issuc o pronuncinmento against them and any
further occupancy OF the sidewalks and make it as
irrevocablc the laws or the Medes and PersIsns.
about It let them look otter signs suspended In viola
ton OF the law after the blockadng OF the walks bg
boxes and bales OF goods, aud after every sort OF
fringement OF the city ordinances regarding street
obstructiuns In view OF the present burden OF city
taxes IL may also be advisable TO ferret out those city
railway corporations and others who may have been
exactng rent for occupying the public Streets winch
has been done and is being done, anu compel them
to pay into the city treasury every dollar thus ex-
The complaint clerk IN the Street Commissioners
onice, Mr.. II. w. Dayton, acting under drecuons OF
the Commissioner and IN accordance with the re-
against the unsghtly shantics ana bszaars winch
have so long defaced and disgraced the puDlic
squares and park-borders Ia the lower part OF the
city. This has frequently been attempted before
but when the propnetors OF the warehouses; alluded
to would receive notice to remove Their institutions
they would call upon some friendly city oincni Tor
whom they had voted early and perhaps often, aud
request his interference to stay the destroying angel
The "'nuencen was put on and the rcmovai ior the
Tn The Hasor and Street Commissioner have decided
to disregard the appeals or inercessons In behalf
OF those nuisances which nave oeen 80 much CON-
plained or and have commenced by causing the
removal OF the establishments whence indlgcstible
Printing House square and at the railroad terminus
at the lower end OF the City Hall Park The estab-
slment last referred to is alleged 70 have been
nroiucttye OF good rental TO somebody. The holel
was topped win . collection or weather vanes
which, It Is said, turned $500 per annum into the
coers OF the hotel keeper, while he IN turn paid ~
much more 10 some usurper for permission 70 cater
TO the wants OF the inner man or travellers arriving
from Harlem and intermediate stations.
the ofiiciaIs have also commenced 70 clear the
ndewalks on Broadway OF signs, cases. awning
naps, and all other obstructons which protude be-
vond the stoop lines The Commissioner has
Already reached as far north ~ Grand street, and
Intends TO carry the war an the way up. Many OF tho
srorekeepers nave obtained permits IN tunes past
from the License Bureau In the Mayors once to put
out the signs, cases, &C, and they apply TO the
May or's once when notified to remove tnsm. on
application they find the permits have all been re-
yoked and that the balance Of the permi, money
is ready for their acceptance. The authorities hav
ing at last made good beginning In this matter.
can ce pofiecnr secure of popular support IN thsir
el0rts.