The New York herald., 1874-02-24
Enthusiastic Mass Meeting at
the Cooper Institute.
The Question of Motive Power
Thoroughly Discussed.
MAYOR EASTMAN'S BILL.
Facts, Figures a
Suggestions.
and
The ssSlOw COach'' System
Vividly Portrayed.
Asleep for Twenty Years-Speeches by
Professor Eastman, Homer A. Mel
son, J. B. Haskins and Others.


meeting and hope 1t Will prove success said
one gentleman to another. as they were pushing
and tugging to wedge their way through the
crowd that early last evening gathered around
the main entrance leading to the great hall OF the
Cooper Institute,
"You can't come no rapid transit through this
crowd" answered corpulent gentleman, "unless
You follow sharply after me-"
That's the idea All we want is capable leaders
and rapid transit in this city is sure," observed
one OF the gentlemen In reply, and sutting bis
action to bis appreciation OF the corpulent gentle.
mans Joke. he quietly put himself in the latter's
wake>
IL have come a good, long way to attend this
meeting" said another, as the crowd kept increas
ing and surgtng toward the entrance, "and
wouldn't miss getting in for anything"
mo further than have come. III bet" remarked
another gentleman. ~ have come all the way
from Ninety third street."
"We-l-l," observed the first gentleman drawing
out his words very slowly, "that is a good long
way, to be sure, but have come from 129th street,
just this side OF Albany"
The laugh that greeted this sarcastic bit at slow
locomotlon in this city. giving to Harlem the geo.
graphical remoteness OF the State capital, put all
IN good waiting humor Underlying this large
crowd and the expressions quoted was this whole
told the interest felt in the subject told it 20 be
the most important question at present agitating
the public mind. At length the doors were opened
and then the work began. But o large crowd out.
side seemed but small one inside. However
when the hour had arrived for the opening OF the
meeting the hall was pretty well filled, and
made up evidently OF all classes OF our
citizens, including slight sprinkling Of Ia
dies. But the fact was apparent, that
Notwithstanding the interest all feel in the subject
there was disposition to general nOnc0mmittal
In the way of special enthusiasm. SO many
schemes for rapid transit had been promulgated
that 1t had come to be weary1ng ana lurking sus-
picion OF possible j0bbing and nothing really
earnest at the bottom OF any OF them, while the
Beach Pneumatic Transit Company, the Wander.
bilt Underground Road, the New York Elevated
Railroad and the Gilbert Elevated Railroad are the
only survivors of these many schemes. There was
some confidence in Mr.. Eastman's Rapid Transit
bill because it was known that he had no particu-
lar scheme to put forward. but, in the present
meeting wss simply seeking to feel the popular
pS'9 Inc and dpe " rns the mss1as was soM
In Qrgani2ing, and there was some impatient
stamping OF feet 10 consequence. At length, when
ins PETER y M
their appearance, they were warmly greeted. A
moment later the platform was flea with some Of
The meeting was promptly organized and then
the business OF the meeting Was entered upon.
thusiasm warmed up, and the frequent applause
that interrupted his remarks showed the hearty
approval of his views and suggestions entertained
by the meeting. And the enthusiasm waXed
warmer as the meeting progressed and other
speeches followed. Altogether, take the meeting
and its simple scope aud purport 1t was an un-
Mr.. JOHN FOLEY was called upon to preside and
In opening the proceedings SAID he was convinced
making on this question OF rapid transit. lAp-
plaqse2 blu had had already been introduced in
more happiness and comfort to the community at
large than any other popular measure brought be-
would Introduce Mayor Eastman, OF Poughkeepsie,
VINO had introduced the bill to which he referred.
MAYOR EAsrMAN's REMARKS.
Mr.. EASTMAN, alter few introductory remarks,
said:-
need not take any time to show that for the
great want OF rapid transit New York is yearly
losing thousands Oh her population she might other
wise retain 1t rs known to ever every N man & here to, to,
city to-day and comparison made with the past
1t woud startie the community. quarter of
and Long Island that belong 70 New York city
proper, and would be here to-day paying taxes and
tribute TO your every interest had not your eapi,
as bind as they are to-day to the true interests OF
the city You are familiar with the criticisms and
Depew's census. 1t was claimed that he cheated
New York out Of some 200, 900. and the Mayor
hrsation. honman tnlnk Wasmwas disappointed in bis
Depew, my friends. The same predictions were
maoe "a regard to the census OF 1870, and you were
" 1866. The truth is these 100000 people
you expected the census taker would find here
their beds with them. Another fact indicates
tue truth OF the above. l notice that the pas.
and south has not Increased the past Vear over
the previous year; the Third and Fourth avenue
lines actually show a falling of. This fact is more
lug to the statement. The lact It that Hudson
county, New Jersey, has increased in taxable
years, while Westchester has increased but
$4260, 900, and that The rate OF increase In pOpua
sSn IN hSs n New
startling that IL should be pasted IN the top OF the
hat Of every taxpayer In New York and Westches-
PUBLIC SPIRIT IN NEW YORK.
1t is not becoming in me, COuntryman, to
question the public spirit OF the citizens OF this
metropolis; but having had extensive business re-
lations mere or years, and having become familiar
open help but TO observe what believe to be your
shortcomings In several important particulars. Is
there another million Of people In the world that
would suf1er so long the Inconvenience, demora-
tzatiOn and horrors OF slow transit II situated as
you are, when relief could be afforded at an ex-
pense less than the cost OF single Court House,
and by that relief 100000 more people be added TO
your population, who would bear to DAY one tnird
OF your total taxable burdensY Having been
engaged the past few days IN examining into
your street Cleaning Department and having
Mken survey oil your principal streets, take
Tat am now more thoroughly convinced than
yteI tnat New Workers the easiest satisfied
Most contented and Indifferent people IN the
WI woriu. lou have such a generous way Oh accept.
ang eVeIy tnlng Just as you find it, If Croton water
gives out you cOntentedy use the sops OF the day
DeI0re over again. II your wife has dragged her
1oess 1aa tne muddy streets to its destruction
you senei iousy pay lor another II you lose two
hOurs DAY TO get down town to yOur business and
s.and on one loot IN horse car. with passengers
paCkeo im Hhe sardines in a box, you eAerge
extra Iare i0r ms KIND attention TO your personal
comforts But, Mr.. President, 1t is about time IL
should understand that If New YORK is to sustaln
her supremacy her pubc-splrlted men must come
70 the front. In the pubic works SO earnestly do.
manded, the foremost OF which, and the present
greatest need, Is system OF rapid transit through