New-York tribune., 1875-07-02
RAPID TRANSIT.
TIE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED BY MAYOR
WICKHAM.

THE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED BY MAYOR
WTCKHAM.
JOSEPH SEIIGMAN LEWIS b. BROWN, C. II. DELA-
MATER, JORDAN l. MOTT, AND CHARLES j. CASDA
APPOINTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE
Hustled BILL-CHARACTER OF THE APPOINT
MENrs-wORK OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
The Mayor has appointed five Railroad Com
missoners under the provisions Of the Hustled Rapid
Transit act The Commissioners are Joseph selig
man. Lewis B. Brown, Cornelius H. Deamater, Jordan L.
Mott and Charles J. Canda The following is a copy Of
the Mayors communication
1t appearing by the application made TO me on the 10Th
aay pa S Of the & and nd Of ana d
State OF NewYork, verified upon oath before Justice Of
county of steam railway railways the transporta
on Of Passengers mails. and freight and 80 days not
having expired since SAID application, In pursuance
of the provision Of the act entitled AN act further
provide Tor The construction and operation Of steam
June X, 1873, threcffths being present, l. william H.
Wickham Mayor OF the City Of NewYork do hereby aI
county TO he Commissioners under and pursuance Of
the provisions OF said act, namely:
Cornelius II. Delamater Of No l2i West TwentIcth-st
hnndredandt thirty y-thirdst.
Charles j. Canda Of No. 20s West Fourieenth-s
In witness whereof have hereunt0 signed my name,
the first day of July, 1873.
WM II. wrcHHAM, Mayor.
In making these appointments the Mayor has not
solely from desire to give the city some prac-
ticable scheme OF rapid transit. The gentlemen
appointed arc oil wcll-known business men, and
were selected with the belief that their expert
encc would enable them to choose the best and most
available route the proposed road roads,
and upon plan Of structure that would promise
from its cheapnoss and availability for the purpose In
tended, to attract the attention capitalists and insure
the success OF the undertaking. The Commissioners
either personally known 70 the Mayor. received
the Endorsement capitalists real estate owners, and
other business interested in solving the problem of
rapid transit. All have been for many years in active
business pursuits, have wealthy connections and tEeIr
recommendations would carry much weight with cap
taiists her, AMI in Europe.
SKETCHES OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
Joseph Selgman is the wellknown German banker OF
No. ~ Broad--t He formerly in thc dry goods
business bu for several years past has been engaged in
tie banking business. He IS reput,d TO be very wealthy
and has extensive business connections here and abroad
He appointed School Commissioner by Mayor
Haycmcycr and still holds that position. lie took
active part in the Reform movement, but has not other
wise been prominent in politics. lie was recommended
for the position y John A. Stewart of the United States
Trust Company, President Lewis OF the Board of Alder
men, and others.
Lewis b. Brown ia large owner OF real estate the
side OF the city and al Long Branch He for
mcry merchant, but Withdrew from trade several years
ago. He was recommended by Howard Potter and
Others
Cornelius II. Dcamater is President OF the Dclamater
Iron Works He has, tor many years past been known as
OF the extensive iron workers in the city, and IL
connected with various and railway interests. He
warmly urged for the position by Benjamin b. sher
man. VIM. Borden, and others.
Jordan l.. Mott for several years has been connected
with the iron trade He has fouuderes In this city and at
Troy He has taken active part in the local interests
of the annexed territory lie offered the position Of
Park Commissioner some time ago by the Mayor and de-
cned Il. He ia IA member OF the delegation from the
Twenty-hird Ward in the Tammany Hall General Com
mttee and Of the VicePrcsdens Of that Organi-
zation. He has for years been Of the Mayors
Intimate friends, their acquaintance dating back To the
time when both were officers OF the old Volunteer Fire
Department lie was recommended for the position Of
Railroad Commissioner by large number Of the more
Influential residents OF the annexed territory.
Charles J. Canda formerly connected with the firm
OF Arnold, Constable Co., In the dry goods business
several years however. he has been engaged with
VIM b. ogden of this city and the Hon VIM ii. BaEnum
of Connecticut various iron and railroad enterPrs g.
lie il now Of the Trustees ~ the Brooklyn Bridge
Company He was recommended to the Mayor by Wm
B. Ogden and several downtown capitalists, who have
known him intimately for several years.
Mr. Dcamatcr, Mr. Canda, and others OF the COmmis
sioners appointed out OF ownyesterday hut was
learned that Mr. Delaatcr had received notice Of his
appointment and slgni1cd his acceptance
LEGAL PROVISIONS FOR THE COMMISSIONS WORK
The act under which the Commissioners were appointed
provides that Oh the petition Of 80 reputable house
holders and taxpayers the Mayor may appoint five COM
issoncrs who shall designate the route for the proposed
road select plan and fix the rates OF fare and freight
the time wiLiin which the road is TO be completed,
and tie amount Of the capital stock BY
two-thnds the company may increase It's capital
ana determine the motive power To be usec WHICH, how
ever must lie 'ulhcr than animal power The Gov
crnor has the power Ia the commissioners lor
casc ami 10 in vacancies in the Board caused b: DEATH
resignation, or removal Before route can he eslab-
le the Commissioners must first obtain the consent
of the local authorities having control or th potion of
street or highway upon which IL Is proposed to con,
struc or oucftc the railway. In NcwlO these local
authorities are the Board OF Aldermen And,
secondly, they must ask the consent ~ th"
owncrs OF onclaf IN value Of the property bounded on
the route the consent of the after cannot b
attained Commissioner are io be appointed
by the General Term Of the Supreme Court Ia determine
whct cr the road snail be built the designated route
or not and their decision H. O he 1nal So NchOlS-aNt,
Broadway and Fifth-lvc. below fityn'hthSt focrth,
ave above Forty secondst and AL the bOuioVafds ana
public parks, excepted from tile routes open u the
choice of the Commissioners