The New York herald., 1870-12-25
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.


The problem of cheap and swift city transit, by
seam has engaged the attention OF our citizens,
earnestly, for the past ten years, and yet awaits
luton.
Many schemes have been pr0posed-ingenious
skllful, and Offering every apparent guarantee OF
success, yet none are In practical execution. Year
by year the pressure for improvement has increased
as the totally lnadesu means Of present transit
are felt-the public voice ana the public press
unit on the subject. Any amount OF money has been
expended, and any amount Is still ready to So
cure the object, and yet we are. apparently, no
nearer the attainment OF the great end than when
we began We are nearer, perhaps, so lar as the
discussion OF plans Is concerned, but apparently
no nearer the actual execution OF any plan.
desire in thus article briefly to point out the
causes OF failurehus far and hereafter, if you
will permit me, In another article to suggest the
method OF their eHectual renewal.
Those causes which have been at the bottom OF all
our defeats are two-the hostility or our city rail-
roads to any scheme which threatens their interests;
ana, second, the rivalry hostility towards each
other or the different schemes proposed.
To persons outside OF politics and rings and the
ways OF legislation this may not be so easily under
stood; but IL Is very plain to persons conversant
with them No legislation pays like railroad legis
laon. The fight for charters Tor city railroads-un-
derground, overgrouud. arcades ana what not-has
cost more money, In working up and defeating
plans in supporting lObbies and corruptlng leglsa-
lures, than would pay the interest for ten years on
the cost OF any available plan il carried into execu.
tI0n Yet de cat and and not execution. Is all that
has been accomplished.
The policy OF the city railroads has always been
to any scheme they have watched closely the con-
test OF each with its reads anu have never failed to
come IN at the opportune moment and give the ala
needful to insure defeat IN their own interest. Or
II the pressure has Dcep 30 great that bill OF some
kind must pass. they Have joined It's opponents in
loading 1t down with provisions, which insured Its
falling stubborn into the Statute Book. 1t Is thus
that the Central Underground Railroad Company"
after vexing the Legislature for ten years and re-
celvng chartcr, mas remained u dead letter ever
since.
what was known as the Three Tier bill passed the
Assembly with but one dissenting vote. II failed In
the Senate. rival scheme had the unanimous vote
OF the Senate, but failed in the House. The next
year neither succeeded IN either branch ana yet the
bills were the same and tnelr merits the same then
as before, But the Broadway Arcade had appeared
ON The stage, with more money and influence, and
hence the loss OF favor. This newcomer took all
rivals by the throat and they In turn seized IL, and
IN the death-hug that followed all went down to-
gether.
Last year the fight was renewed by haf dozen
contestants. the Arcade managed 10 squeeze
through, but In form made SO odous by its enemies
that We were saved Its inficton only BY the Execu-
tive veto. and again the Legislature adjourned ana
nothing was accomplished.
The key to all these contests Is easily found. Any
charter feasible In It's terms which gives 10 It's
owners a monopoly OF carrying the people OF this
city up and down town by steam for an undeined
term q years ls mine or wealth. richer ana more
eXhaustless than the mines OF Goconda, ana
every Charter seeker perfectly understands 1t.
Hence this struggle.
sidered beyond what the merest expediency de-
mands. Thus one bill, nearly passed. gave an ex-
elusive monopoly to the company, free from all
petilion, for one hundred years. Another modestiy
fixed the limit OF charge for each passenger to not
exceeding fifteen cents'-than which nothing could
be more mlschievOus. for cheap well quick
transit Is the first and last necessity OF this city.
The Legislature IS again about to assemble. Al
ready the schemers are alert, aud we shall see the
old faces and new ones once more IN the field. Shall
the dsheartening history OF past sessions repeat
selrY Shall we see that body exhaust another winter
III useless wranglng over conflicting interests and
again adjourn and nothing doney We certainly shall
unless the peope and pfe5s sneak out and demand
new solution OF this veXei question.
That solution already suggests ITSELF Let all pri-
yate schemes and monopolies be set aside and let
this work be done by the city ITSELF not IN the inter-
ests OF any company but solely IN the interest Of her
own people.
to show that 1t is the legitimate ana proper work OF
the city. as corporotion. TO open the avenues and
in the last degree dangerous 10 turn this business
over to any monopoly or privaie Interest whatever.
T..
To THE EDITOR THE HERALD.-
Mayor Hall, In his message 70 the Common Coun-
cl June 7, 1869. called particular attention to the
''rapid transit problem" He said among other
things, ''long ago we should have become able to
stead OF twelve miles long" He particularly urged
the Common Council TO agitatc the subject, and
said:-"Tne plan which promises to give immediate
relief Is the plan to be assisted by us.n Again. in
his letter to Mr.. Foley on the 10Th inst. he says
"that the question OF transit Is a question OF capt.
tal;'' that he has reliable information in regard 10
capitalists who are willing to subscribe the money
to build viaduct railway. Now, as Mayor Hall
reads the papers, he must be aware that not oniy
have capitalists been found who willing to sub
scribe, II charter Is guaranteed TO taem but that
they have already expended a very large sum OF
money in building and putting IN opera
tion section OF railway uuier Broadway.
which has been visited and approved
have standing advertisement Of this railway for
the past months and the extracts from the press
endorsing and recommending II have been printed
in pamphlet, which covers twenty-five pages.
This pamphlet has been forwarded 10 Mayor Han
with an earnest request that he would come and
the operation OF the undergo 0unl railway, ana pass
Judgment for or against II. We invite examination
and desire criticism ann as Mayor Hall believes so
strongly in helping forward the solution OF the
problem of 'fap.d transltn we hope he VIII come
aud give IN opinion ON our underground railway.
We certainly give hlm the most rCliahe niorlaa-
ton he possibly desire as 10 our ability carry
out What we have so well begun soon aS we get
the necessary legislation and encourag agement which
We mad every reason u believe woud bc cheerfully
extended 10 ms on every hand as soon as we demon
straled the thing could be done VERY respec fully
yours. JOSEPH DIXON, Secretary.
QrcjS Transit.
To THE EDITOR OF TIE HERALD
While many plans are being constantly brought
forward for the a ccouiplislfnent OF this 30 much