The New York herald., 1871-03-29
THE NEW YORK CENTRAL AND HUDS0U
RIVER RAILROAD COMPANY.

Petition Of the Citizens OF the City Of New
| York TO the Legislature OF tho State OF Now
York.
The undersigned respectfully represent that the
| New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Com
pany Is now paying dividends TO the smoant OF
2ee and upon tine sum OF s47 sas $40 In excess
OF the cost OF the road ana property OF the c0m.
pany, the said sum being made up OF sia.42s $40
OF consolidation certificates and So 900 OF tho
capital stock OF the Hudson River Railroad NOS
called up, said certificates and shares represent
ing no portion OF the cost Of said road. but having
been issued solely as the means or instruments Of
dividing an income irom such road greatly IN OK
And we further represent that to pay said enor-
nous extra SUM OF So S34 260 annually the manage
ment OF said roads resorts TO iniquitous and Op-
public right, seriously injured the commerce ana
business interests OF this State and outraged Its ct-
By ievying oppressive, discriminating way
BY increasing its rates Of commutation:
BY irregular rates OF freight In summer to destroy
competition and business on the Erie Canal ana
Hudson river and BY cruel exactions In winter when
BY excessive charges upon articles Of daily con-
sumption ior the city Of New York:
the suburbs OF said city, without adequate protec-
tion for the safety OF its citizens
BY locating Its depots Tor Its own gain, without
due regard to public convenience:
BY failing to furnish comfortable and cleany oars.
and by running such as are too filthy aud disgusting
BY rudey thrustinG passengers from its trains or
compelling them 10 pay extra fare in palace cars.
when there IS no accommodation provided for them
elsewhere:
By falling to maintain proper system Of signals
BY falling TO keep proper watch, or guard.
upon the road, by which death has resulted:
BY sudden uncaled for and inexcusable changes
BY purchasing and holding property In real estate
by allow its oficers to engage IN business done
| upon said road the proceeds ol which do not 60
into the treasury thereof for the mutual benent Of
| By using its money to control legislation:
BY issuing free passes to public officers and MEM
by arbitrarily and without the color OF right TAX.
ing from the pockets Of the many and filing the
1t has created moneyed aristocracy, irrespensi-
bic, grasping, dangerous.
It's language to every interest Is "Stand and de-
liver, and to the uttermost.n
1t controls and regulates commerce and levies
taxes In defiance OF equity and public law.
Its unjust charges are an embargo upon trade. tho
very life-blooa or State, and have filled our ware
portation.
Its expressions have. in many instances, driven
| from us important industries; and, In every In
| stance, has this mammoth monopoly consulted its
own profits and ignored right.
It's anomalous consolidation certificates" con-
ierrlng all the advantages OF property upon the
| holders escape taxation.
This road was chartered under careful restrictions:
these have from time time been removed It has
abused the trust and forfeited public confidence.
It's public highway, constructed for public use.
| Ing therefrom beyond the adequate compensation
due ftS constructors and operators Upon this Plea
was Its charter asked for for this purpose was tt
authorized and sound policy viii permit no depar-
ture from this principle. It certainly win not do to
let railroad corporations, sngly or In combination,
usurp the legitimate functions Of government or un
| justly oppress the people.
An organized effort to correct these abuses Is de-
/ manded.
We therefore ask the Legislature to pass laws to
regulate the rates Of fare and transportation this
| and every railroad operated by steam within
the limits OF this State and make the same as near
uniform as may be, and 80 that he amount col.
lected shall In no instance be more than sufficient TO
| pay an annual dividend OF eight per cent on the
| actual cost OF construction and equipment, after
| paying operating expenses and reserying sunclene
to keep the road depots, bridges and rolling stock
this shall 60 into the Treasury Of the State for the
Also to pass law authorizing the appointment OF
commissioners to supervise the operations OF these
roads, to see that they are made safe and that the
laws in regard to them are complied with.
Also that no such railroad company or corporation
shall hold or possess any property in real estate
save as an easement for public use.
| That no free passes shall be granted.
Also prohibiting under severe penalties any officer
or empOye OF such roads rOm being pecuniarily in
terested in any business done upon the road where
with they are connected as officer or employe save
| and except where the proceeds OF such business
goes into the treasury OF said road for the mutual
benefit OF all the stockholders. And TO enact such
| other laws as will cure the evils complained Of.
Following are the signatures OF dry goods deal
ers-H. B. Cla1tn Co.; H0yt, Spragues Il Co.; NJ.
| Q. Langley Co.; D. II. & NJ Arnold Co.; Spauld-
,ns ms;a Hunt 99 AraaSla a Constable Co.. and many
MerchantsaN; I. 4 @. Grlswold; wetmore Crydes
g., and others; ,.. - s..ssss;
Brooklyn White Lead Co., and others.
hide and Leather Manufacturers Schultz. South
wick Co.; Frazer Major q Co., and Others.
ny; j. Russell Co.. s. Havland / Son, and many
others. S'~1a- s.5sss.~rrss ~; 'tf