The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-29

portion OF the city To connect with the great
central depot we have suggested would bs
best and in the end the cheapest. Thus we
should have most complete and beautiful
system of rapid transit and railroad communi-
cation from one end of the city to the other,
and all through, uniting with the great lines Of
the country near the Harlem River.
Nor is the time far off when great portion
of the shipping will go to the upper end OF
Manhattan Island and in the waters between
Long Island Sound and the East River and
North River. We look forward 10 the time
when vast ship canal will be made between
the Hudson and East rivers along the line OF
the Harlem River, with numerous docks, where
the produce from vessels coming from the Hud-
son and by railroads can be conveniently
shipped for expectation. The water between
the Sound and East River is deep enough Tor
fleets of the largest ships, in most parts, and
along what is known as Morris Dock II Is forty
feet deep. With these improvements, and
when He'll Gate is cleared Of rocks, large
portion of the commercial business OF New
York must be transferred go that end OF the
island Any legislative action or movement
made with regard to railroads and the inn
provement OF New York should be based upon
this view of the future. In twenty-five years
there will scarcely be vacant lot not built
upon on Manhattan Island, and our metro
politan population will reach near three mil
lions. The commerce Of the port, growing
with the wonderful growth OF the country,
can hardly be imagined. Will our Legislature
comprehend the wonderful destiny of the city
and prepare for it? Nothing but the railroad
system we have referred to can meet the
wants of the future.
Having adverted to the railroads Of the
State, the war at Albany about them, the
power of railroads in the Legislature, the
cupidty of railroad managers and the necessi-
ties and future of New York, let us say word
with regard to the duty of the federal govern
ment. The railroad interest has become a
mighty power in the land, and is welded for
the most part by few individuals This vast
monopoly is growing more and more to gigan-
tic proportions. There are few Of the State
governments that it does not control, and IL
has become the greatest power in Washington.
Nearly all its operations are for the purpose
of enriching few at the cost of the mass Of
the people. Stocks are watered and bonds
issued far exceeding the capital invested, and
every one who travels on the roads or trans
ports pound of produce has to pay for this
imitation or fictitious capital. The people are
taxed unnecessarily by the railroad compa-
MES beyond what the federal government
would venture to tax them. The railroads
are the great arteries of commerce among the
several States, aud Congress has the power,
under the express provisions of the eonstitu-
ton, to regulate that The time has come
when Congress should pass some general law
to restrain railroad monlpolies and to protect
the people from their exactions. The public
interests should be first considered, and pre-
tended vested rights, through charters OBJ
tanned generally by questionable influence,
must yield to them. Some of the States have
taken the initiative in graphing with the rail-
road power, and we may mention Illinois
especially but Congress only can accomplish
the needed reform.