The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-07-05

from the amounts awarded 10 lot owners 10
the extent of the estimated value Of their
buildings for removal 80 that they had
really bought and paid for these very build
ings But the Street Commissioner refused
TO listen TO these protests, and the sale went
on, the original owners being obliged to can
eel their private contracts and return the pur-
chase money where sales had been made.
Tho Street Commissioners sale occurred
about the middle of April, 1860, fifteen
months ago. After the sale, and about tho
middle of June, 1860, the awards Of damages
were paid by the city authorities. THIS pay.
ment was based on the report Of the Com
missioners appointed by the Court, aud in
cluded no allowance for rent or interest, nor
my additional sum for the worth of the
buildings. The aggregate valuation ofthcse
buildings is at present unknown, but that
sum is an item in tho profits rcaped by the
officials out Of this job. as the damages
proven and allowed were fully provided for
10 the regular assessment. Tho sum thus
realized unjustly and illegally, and solely
for the benefit Of those in the Ring, was GER
tainly several hundred Thousand dollars.
Thus one year ago private ownership In
the street was finally extinguished and pub
lie possession assumed. The purchasers Of
the buildings were required TO remove them
forthwith, aud in most cases they did 30.
But although year has since elapsed max
ing about Eve years since the commencement
of the procecdings-tbc street is not yet
thrown open to the public. In fact until
quite recently, it has lain as O noisome nui-
sance in the heart of the city-a dumping
ground for filth and garbage, Astounding in
pestilcnt pools of stagnant water and heaps
OF the most offensive substances.
Another important street opening is
now going forward The Commissioner
Of Public Works has just conpletod tho
sale of building material in Laurcns
street standing on tho land to be taken
in widening that thorouahfarc from Wash
ington square to Canal street. We do
not know whether this property has been
stolen from the owners, RS was that in Church
street, or whether the tito to It was more
II Nuo We
trust some of tho victims will have the bold
ness to resist the unauthorized appropriation
of their property. But in any event we shall
look for more expeditions and satisfactory
completion Of the work under the personal
supervision of the Hon. w. MARCY TWEED,
The history Of Church street is but spcc.
men OF wnat "a usual in these cases. The
opportunities for delay, for blackmailing, for
private stealing, and for general corruption
are altogether too great, and the difficulties
in the way of fixing the responsibility for
such robbery and swindling render the at
tempt utterly useless. 1t is proposed to ma
terially modify the map of the city, especially
IN H.: lower and denscr parts; and street
opening schemes al - projects sTv @s:l W
every hand. In view of all this. we submit
that the best interests of tia city demand
some amendment Of tt.c law under which
these proceedings arc had. And until the
Legislature m AXIS out new aud better way,
we arc posed to any more street openings,
IL ,scvcr much public convenience may dc
| mand such improvements.