The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-06
EXTENSION OF MANHATTAN ISLAND.

Ger County-New Railroads-Port Morris a
Grain Depot OF the Pacific RaiIroad-Pre.
posed Closing of Harlem River. sA 4
When MIR. Chauncey M. Depew's census returns
were published, showing their face an actual
crease OF population In the city OF New York. from
lsoo to 1865 Of several hundred thousand, nobody
believed him. Even his own party friends in this
city were ashamed at this exhibition OF folly, at this
aame attempt to make political capital by underrat
sng the growth Of New York's prosperity. Since
Their similar attempt, If were to be made, has
been rendered utterly abortive. The growth OF New
York city has been progressing on such scale that
Il needs no mathematical calculation to prove It,
Like every other automatic fact, 1t proves ITSELF
The rapid increase In the number OF new build
ings begun and completed every succeeding year Is
one or the best proofs Of this fact. More and more
do the vacant lots disappear and palatial rows Of
houses take their places. Storehouses OF immense
dimensions are being erected to accommodate trade,
and dwellings, from the large stone front palace Of
the wealthy to the unpretendng tenement OF the
thrifty working classes rapidly extending on all
our streets and avenues to the northward And
these new structures are tenanted and swarming
with inmates almost the moment they are COM
pleted, and In many cases even before the last
troweful OF plaster has completely dried on the
walls.
Moreover, the activity shown by the people Of all
the counties surrounding tho city to profit by the
continuing growth OF New York s the best possible
evidence that the people OF these neghboring places,
who all have moro or less general interest in this
city are fully aware that their own prosperity is
connected intimately with our own and that their
increase Is but the outgrowth OF New York,
Is the branches and leaves OF q huge oak draw
their giving nourshment from the trunk and Its
roots, Everywhere in our immediate neighborhood
the inhabitants are more than ever engaged in dis
cussng and developing plans calculated to invite
the location OF settlements FOR which New York,
owing to Its narrow limits may not AFFORD ROOM In
Kings and in Queens countess across the Hudson in
jersey this activity is prevalent wherever we may
look. But nowhere more so than in the county
north Of us-in Westchester.
visit to Westchester county ia peculiarly at
tractive at this present time IN view OF the many
plans tor improvements already determined
on to bring 1t into still closer communion
with this city. Its typographical conhguration
adapts it well--at least its southern half
70 become in time an outer ward, the northern
frontier, 1T were, Of the city OF New York.
Though rising with somewhat steep hills on the
Hudson its entire surface, from the heights the
shore Of the river eastward to the banks OF the
Sound, is slightly unduating, presenting no. higi
hills deep valleys ravlnes to the extension OF
roads and avenues. The numerous creeks and
rvulets afford ample natural draining, and the whole
Is well adapted for building purposes and 1t may,
In time to come, be Of itself vast city, counting its
population by the million. This, OF course, Is not
mentioned as sure to be within the lifetime OF those
now projecting improvements in this county. But
with the growth Of the whole country in population
wealth and political influence the heart OF the coun-
try its commercial and financial metropolis will
assume commensurate proportions and then what
ever is now accomplished or In the course OF com.
pletion will reap Its full harvest ss.
It is but lately that the HERALD has referred to
the great Importance OF clearing He'll Gate channel
of all DISTINCTIONS and how necessary for the gene
raj commerce Of the country and its naval defences
1t was that Congress should provide literally out OF
the federal treasury the means required, instead Of
throwing millions away on scheming jobs and into
the pockets Of lobby SPECTATORS With reference to
this much needed Improvement 1t was said that on
the East river, and along the south shore of Harlem
river might be concentrated and would, by the
natural force Of the laws Of trade become located
our whole commerce with Europe. 1t appears now
that these suggestions, 80 natural from the 0ro-
graphical character OF the Sound approaches to the
harbor Of New York. were evident to others also.
And 1t In projected to cover the county Of w estches
Ger with several branches Of railroad, with the evil
dent purpose to accelerate this event. whether or not
the federal government may move in the matter A
more particular reference Will AZ once ulbclOse tne
true intent Of these projects.
NEW RAILROADS
Between the great bend OF the Erie Railroad to the
south In the town OF Monroe, In Orange county, and
the Hudson river opposite Peekskill there IL only
distance OF about twelve miles. This will soon
be covered by road to the Hudson river. A COM
pany has lately been organized. composed Of SUBJ
stantal men OF westchester county, with view to
extend this proposed connection Of the Erie Railroad
through westchester county. This road will start at
PeekskIr and run through the sawmill river valley
southwark to Harlem river, with branch to Port
Norris The Harlem river terminus OF this road Will
be- 30 1t Is said. probably at Central Bridge known
O. Macomb's DAM and 1t was given out that arrange
ments had been made with one OF our city railroads
20 extend Its track to the Harlem river and its
cars In connection with trains from Peekskll. 1t is
believed that tins Ia to be on the Eighth avenue the
cars Of which now run up TO l24th street, and but
small expenditure OF money would carry Its track 10
the bridge, 1t cannot be positively stated whether
this belief s correct though OF the fact that the road
therc be no doubt This road win open for set
tement large portion OF the most attractive part OF
hailins distance Of the centre Of our city But OF
stun greater Importance Is the branch already men
PORT MoRRrs-ruH PACIFIC RAILROAD
The connection by rail OF this place with one OF the
great trunk lines to the West would undoubtedly
point Is Just north OF Wards Island and outside OF
the Hell Gate channel with deep water at its shores,
Il may, with proper facilities, become great
cntrep8t OF trade In grain and similar bulky mer.
chandise, the product Of the West. Whenever tho
management OF the Erie Railroad shall have settled
down into something like an honest administration,
with view to promote the public good while in
creasing its own profits, the community Will have
through Westminster county to the shores OF the
Sound The beneficial results OF this new branch
road from Peekskill evident that IL Is already
mooted that the Union Pacific Railroad have it In
contemplation to establish nc Port Morris depot for
their tranic, aud build comm0dious warehouses and
extensive docks to accommodate all the trade cross
Ing the country from the Pacific and seeking
lei for Its transfer TO Europe.
EXTENSION or THE SECOND AVENUE ROAD.
There still another railroad project In the course
OF realization which will yet more strongly unite
the progress OF Westchester with the CONNER
clal increase OF our city. IL IN proposed
W extend the Second avenue railroad
across Harlem river, through westchester county,