The New York herald., 1869-03-13
sID1WALK DISTRACTIONS.

Usurpations Of the sidewalks Of the city have been
so rapidly progressive and promise such continuous
progressive developments that 1t Is time some srin-
gent measures were adopted to put stop to these
illegal encroachments. Mayor Hail. with his broad
and intuitive conceptions OF the rights OF the public
In tins regard, 10 evincing just determination
oust these sidewalk squafters and prevent con-
tnuation Of their glaring inlringements upon the
public domain. ssrts-d Il PAGE
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
tudlhous stands of small vendors Of small wares With
which the sidewalks abound. Granting permission
to some aged and helpless widow or crippled old man.
having no otner means OF Subsistence. to occupy
portion OF the sdewalk-and this the inception OF
the evil which has now grown into an uhbcaraDe
nuisance-as peanut or apple stand, and thus ena-
bling them 10 eSe ouL a living and become sef-sup-
porting instead OF q burden AID expense to the
city, was, TO a certain extent, lustiilahe
The time was when these permits were oniy
granted TO such persons as those referred TO-
and one ventured TO obrude hts stores or street
mercnandise upontne sidewalks without permission
from the Common Coancil and street Commissioner.
The times have changed. Permits are noI thought
OF, are not asked for, and IN no wise constitute
an essential preliminary TO the occupancy OF
our sidewalks Strapplng hale men ani wo-
men, enjoying supernrity OF ROBUST nealtn,
having no scruples on the subject OF adding
to the bills OF mortality through the villanousy
unhealthful character Of their wares, usurp The
sdewaiEs at will There is only one way 10 combat
the evil and that Is 10 do away wtn i entirely ana
at once-to sweep out OF existence a tsese stands
further occupancy OF the sidewalks and make if as
irrevocabe as the laws OF the aedes and persIans.
And while the Mayor and street commissioner are
about let them look after signs suspended In viola
tion OF the law after the blockadng the walks by
frinSement OF the city ordinances regarding street
distractions. In view OF the present burden OF city
taxes IL may also be advisable TO ferret out those city
cxacting rent for occupying the public Streets which
has been done and u being done, and compel them
to pay into the city treasury every dollar thus ex-
The complaint clerk In the Street Commissioners
Office Mr. n. w. Dayton, acting under directions OF
the Commissioner and In accordance with the re-
quest OF the Mayor, has commenced q crusade
against the unsghtly shanties ana bazaars winch
have so long defaced and disgraced the public
squares and park~borders In the lower part OF the
city. This has frequently been attempted before.
but when the propretors OF the warehouses alluded
TO would receive notice to their institutions
they woudca upon some friendly city ofnciai Tor
ey mao sosa to M
The .'nuencer was put on and the removal for the
1Se Hasdr and Street Commissioner have decided
to disregard the appeals or lntercessions In behalf
OF those nuisances which have oeen so much COM
plained OF, and have commenced by causing the
removal OF the establishments whence lndigestible
edibles and cureall drnkabes were disposed In
s ~ e e1a c II Ham r e
iishment last referred to Is alleged TO have been
productive or good rental TO somebody The hotel
was topped with collection OF weather vanes
which, Il Il said, turned $500 per annum into the
cosrs OF the hotel keeper, while he in turn paid as
much more to some usurpcr for permission 70 cater
TO the wants OF the inner man or travellers arriving
from Harlem and intermediate stations.
the otflciaIs have also commenced TO clear thes
ndewalks on Broadway OF signs, cases, awning
naps, and all other distractions which protude be-
yond the stoop lines. the Commissioner mas
already reached as far north ~ Grand street. and
intends to carry the war an the way up. Many or tho
storekeepers have obtained permits In times past
out the signs, cases, &C., and they apply 70 the
May or's once when notified to remove Them. ON
application they md the permits have all been re-
voked and that the balance Of the permi, money
Is reaoy for their acceptance. The authorities hav-
Ing ~ last made good beginning 10 this matter
enorfs-