The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-20
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN. %
The Underground Railroad Plan 10 Re-
| move the City Buildtngs Uptown.

The Underground Railroad Plan TO Re-
move the City Buildings Uptown.
An adjourned meeting of the New York Board Of
Aldermen was held yesterday afternoon, President
Vance presiding.
communication from the Mayor, nominating
Elijah w. Rowe Sealer of Weights ana Measures,
to I'LL vacancy, was tabled. The Mayor also COM
municated 10 the Board his refusal to sign resou-
tons to pave, regulate or grade certain streets,
because OF doubt as to the legality of the organi-
cation Of the Board OF Assist ant Aldermen at the
time such resolutions passed that body.
Alderman Billings desired to be excused from
further service on the special committee entrusted
with examining the workings OF the various city
departments. Several members objected, and on
vote being taken it was decided not to excuse
him.
Alderman Gllon presented resolution request
ing the Clerk to notify the heads of depart ments
that the employment of non-residents Is contrary
10 law. Inc resolution was Land over.
resolution, introduced by Alderman Billings,
requesting the Legislature TO grant certain rights
and otherwise assist the Broadway Underground
preparation rom the city Is asked Tor that such
request be voted on by the city at regular cleo
tion. Re erred to the Committee on Streets-S to o.
Alderman kocn onered document In which he
sets forth the position which the city OF New York
is at present occupying. All the adjacent States
are wing with us by Offering cheap transportation
and other Inducements TO divert trade from us.
Our natural advantages of water courses and
forty-mlle water 'front.' are our stronghods IN keep
ing cur commerce. AT present we only utll-
iZing five miles OF this water 'front.', OF which
two miles are devoted to foreign trade. The
streets leading TO these are narrow and the piers
dlapidateu. Washington and Futon markets
moncpollze the trade In that line and help to OBJ
Struct travel. The public markets should be 10.
Gated on either end OF the island and in the centre
OF the CITY. north OF Thirty fourth street, the
public buildings aud offices of the city and county
and Courts established in the vicinity of Madison
ana Reservoir squares, aud the commerce o. the
port so regulated that the trade OF the West and
North by canals. the Hudson River and various
should be concentrated north OF Fourteenth street;
that Ann street, Elm and other streets should be
wldened to facilitate the contemplated improve
ments; and, IN fact, that the city should make
such arrangements to give the public rapid transit
and other advantages as will confer credit on
this the first city on The Western Continent.
The document closes with q resolution directing
the Counsel to the Corporation to draw up a bill
emb0dying these recommendations. and request
the Legislature Tor it's action.
The paper was referred to the Committee on
Lands and Places.
Among the general orders called up was one by
which the Northeastern Dispensary, located on
Flity-nlnh street, adjoining the station house, IS
to be taken Tor the purpose OF giving the building
to the Fire Commissioners for an engine house.
Alderman McCatierty argued favor of retain
ing the same tor this charitable institution.
Public Buildings
On motion OF Alderman John J. Morris the reso.
luton from the Board OF Assistant Aldermen d.
recting the Fire Commissioners to loan an unused
fire engine and equipments to the Roman Catholic
Protectory was unanimously adopted.
The general order providing That the Comp
troler, Mayor and President OF the Police Commits
sioners be authorized to purchase plot o. ground
on which to erect station house Tor the
street nor further west than Lexington avenue,
and that the expense the col be taken from the
appropriation for especial contingencies" was
The Board then adjourned.