New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-26
THE DEBATE,


Albany. March 25-Mr. WEED asked unani
nous consent tho gentleman from Dntchess County
(Mr Eastman he permitted to offer resolution he had
prepared directing the Railroad Committee be dis
charged from the further consideration Of his Dill Tor
rapid transit in New York, that the same might be
brought before the House. Consent being gwen MI
EASTMAN offered the resolution. Mr. WEED then gave
history OF progress OF the rapid transit bills IN the
Committee He approached the subject dispassionatey
and said he believed the gentleman from Dutchess had
done him great Injustice. In connection with tne
senate Committee tho Railroad Committee had neld
jont sessions for the purpose OF considering these
schemes thorough hearing had been had before that
Com mittee and large number Of men had appeared
before them 1t was determined TO report three bills
one for sde for the center and ono for the
west side The latter was what was known as the
Green ichst Elevated Road which has been In opera
ton number OF years and its extension has been asked
for by some OF the best in the city. The crossown
roads asked for IN the bill stricken out The bill
was introduced in January aud long before the bill IN
troduced by the gentleman from Duchess.
Mr. WEED also referred briefly the Third and Fourth
ave- roads, and stated that they formed part OF "a har
monious plan for rapdItransit IN New-York He then
said that the gentleman from Dutchess County could
not have appreciated the scope OF this bill or he would
not have offered the resolution to-day 1t provides for
the appointment OF 0 com mission TO build roads
without limit. and authorizes them to buy land
without limit, and they may draw their warrant upon
the Controller OF New York. and 1t shall be his duty to
bonds to pay dollar used IN the construction
It eaves It to no Auditing Board but provides that be
shall issue revenue bonds IN anticipation to pay for
the roads, The commissioners might spend tlOO0OooOO
within the years without let hndersnce. He
aterward introduced another bill. improving the first,
and II Is due the Committee that 1t should be stated
that the bill which the gentleman wanted reported was
introduced the Sd Of March instead OF six weeks
ago on the 18th Of March seven days before he made
his MT he appeared before the Committee with
substitute. He therefore, did the Committee great
wrong In his statement that the committee hao re'aheo
the bill six weeks.
The Vanderbilt bill was introduced on the 10th OF
March; the others introduced long before and,
had Mr. Eastman risen to question OF privilege as
he did his would have been reported and acted upon
before this time The Committee had no pride of opin
ion on the question and have been endeavorng to dis
charge their duty to the best Of their ability and as
rapidly as time would allow II it be the pleasure Of
the House to discharge the Committee the Committee
would have nothing TO say but he deemed II right to
state the facts that the House could see whether It
WIS its province sssa one Of its committees In this
manner.
Mr. EASTMAN replied that bis scheme had received the
approval Of the people Of York with the exception
Of one two provisions. Those provisions he had
stricken out and all he had asked the privilege Of
substituting his amended bill and having 1t reported to
the House. he did not care how whether favoraby or
unfayorsbly.
Mr.. c. g. SPENCER said II would appro pirate that
the NewYork should be heard by one Of its
members He believed that he spoke the united minds
of the delegation when he said 1t was an imperious
necessity that the Legislature should not adjourn with
out giving New-York o plan Of rapid transit He
believed the people OF New-York would hodhtheir
delegation to o strict accountability In this
regard. They have been pursuing rapid transit
ioni' rat" for years. but has receded farther
as 1t has been supposed become nearly accepta
ble He would not reflect upon any body He wac ready
10 ascribe good motives rather than bad. and
he could not see jot or title reneot-
ing upon the honor integrity OF the Railroad
Committee He believed they had acted In good faith
but at the same time he thought that as the session
was approaching its close tbis rapid transit question
should be discussed and disposed Of without furhe de-
lay aud therefore without reneclng uro an!pouy ne
hoped the motion take this bill ION iRe Committee
aud place q. before the House would be adopted.
Mr. LINCOLN stated the action OF the Committee on
Dutohess orr. Eastmsn) He said that gentleman had
introduced two bills ON the subject and had declared on
whole matter. What" he asked was the Committee
think Of his interest In the matter when he rises
hsro and declares he has become disguised |
with nT AS to what has been printed ia |
the newspapers relative TO his schemes no |
INF. Line0DD believed that II he did not indlto |
those articles. he was In close communion with the |
detail tho action OF the Committee and that OF the gen
tleman from Duchess County tMr. Eastman, 10 show |
sue the they had followed He Insisted that
no had received the courtesy everybody
weeks he complains Of his bill sleeping In the Commit
tee had been before but and then he came 20
that new substitute might be put In for tho two
had made his appearance before the Committee. What
was Committee to think " thsf He mad introduced
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