The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-21
Few Plain Words About Rapid
Transit-Are the People To He
Cheatede

Cheateds
We are not disposed to allow the Senators
and Assemblymen at Albany and especially
the representatives from this city, to humbug
the people on the important subject of rapid
transit for New York If they once more
cheat the million of residents of the me-
tropolis for the sake of pocketing the money
or conciliating the favor of wealthy indi-
viduals and powerful corporations we viii not
allow them to cover up their rascaiity with
the cloak of ignorance or falsehood. Their
corruption shall be made so clear that the
most ignorant of their constituents cannot
fail to understand their true character.
Steam railroads at cheap rates of tare-from
three to five cents-run for the accommoda-
ton of the people, at three to five minute
intervals, as the London underground rail-
way is run, are demanded for the growth and
prosperity OF the city, well as for the public
comfort, health and morality To the poorer
classes in especial such means of cheap con-
veyance would be priceless boon. 1t would
take them out of the close, unhealthful COM
FORTRESS, demoralizing tenement house free
them from the exactions of greedy landlords,
relieve them from the fatigue of weary horse
car journeys at unreasonable hours at
the commencement or close of
hard days work. and give them
cheap, bright, healthful and pleasant
homes. Every public interest demands rapid
transit Of this character. 1t is opposed by
the Harlem and Hudson River Railroad in
terests; by the street railroad lines, the richest
of which is the Third Avenue Company; by
the owners of tenement houses and by the
ferry companies. All of these hold the people
now at their mercy and make money out of
the sufferings, losses and Inconvenience to
which the people are put for want of rapid
transit. When all other means of defeating
rapid transit threaten to fail its natural
enemies step in and bid for the franchise for
the purpose of excluding Others, and without
any intention to do the work themselves On
the one hand stand the people, who pray for
rapid transit but are unable to buy up the
Legislature in order to secure it; on the other
hand stand the individuals and corporations,
who will continue to make a hundred per
cent profit out of the people if they can defeat
rapid transit and who can thus afford to buy
up the Legislature at so much head to do
their work.
Although the Legislature has the right to
grant the franchises for steam railroads in
New York the city is the real party in interest,
and the franchises in fact belong to the people
of the city. 1t is proper that the control Of
the matter should be transferred to the city.
The people ask that this shall be done by the
creation of a commission composed of promi-
nent, responsible and capable residents of
New York, to be appointed by the Governor,
and the transfer to this commission of the
power to authorize the construction of
steam railroads, under proper regulations,
by private capital, or to build roads
for the peoples benefit with the
peoples credit. This would take the
matter out of the hands of the representatives
from Erie, Chautauqua, Monroe Oswego,
Cattaraugus, Clinton and other counties of the
State and place it under the control OF the
people of New York city, who are directly in
terested in it. 1t would remove the question
from the State Legislature, where it has been
q standard source OF corruption and infamy,
and transfer it to a commission of reputable
and honorable New Workers, whose integrity
could not be doubted and whose interests are
identified with the progress and prosperity of
the metropolis. How can democrats, who are
always elamorous for popular rights, oppose
such a proposition? How can reformed
Tammany' ask the confidence of the people
of New York if in this important matter 1t is
will To ont m q Nv
ton?
Two applications fo- franchises have been
made to the Legislature, which bear upon
them the unmistakable stamp Of insincerity
and corruption. One comes from the Third
Avenue Horse Car Company, whose enormous
profits can only be retained if rapid transit
shall be defeated. The other comes from Mr..
Vanderbilt of the Harlem and Hudson River
railroads, who is equally interested in killing
rapid transit. These parties now join teams,
harmonize their bills, apply for both fran
chises, and agree upon forfeits OF one hun
dred thousand dollars each in case they tail
to do the work. The forfeit would be
little more than one-tenth of years
profits of the Third Avenue corporation, and
mere bagatelle to MIR. Vanderbilt, who might
quadruple it in a day out of a rise in Harlem
stock. The very combination is evidence of
dishonesty for the idea of two friendly rapid
transit lines honestly run for the convenience
of the people, one on Fourth avenue and the
other on Third avenue, is preposterous. In
the language OF City Hall politics, it is ''too
thin," and the combination only means addi-
tional funds with which to purchase Senators
and Assemblymen, and the greater certainty
of cheating the people and killing rapid
transit.
We are confirmed in our opinion of the
dishonest character of these propositions by
the little side scene enacted in the State As
sembly yesterday. Some time ago MIR. East