The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-08
RAPID TRANSIT.

UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS IT WILL PROBABLY
BE AcCoMPLIsHED-rHE CITY NOT TO BUILD
THE ROAD.
Rapid transit is coming ont Of the dim perspec.
tive. II seems to be advancing to the end OF the
avenue, where it VIII become q bold DEFINITE
ngure In the picture OF the general prosperity OF
new York. More has been done to urge IL forward
within the past two weeks than during all the
years that have elapsed since the subject OF the
necessity OF facilities for speedy travelling through
this city was first debated. The people who have
always desired TO have rapid transit made valu-
able fact have been educated to q certain degree
during the past two weeks. and they
now begin to regard with contempt
those things which have hitherto been
obstacles to the accomplishment OF this wish. II
Is wonderful that such things could have been
hindrances for so long time that the people
have sat IDLY for years while Emphatic inventors,
conniving politicians and unscrupufous rail-
road men have 'Juggled" the question OF rapid
transit and prevented the establishment OF rail-
way to overcome the most pressing need Of the
metropolis. 1t was grand idea OF Mr.. J. NJ.
Drake to appeal to the people to take the matter
into their own hands SO far as they
can. Grand not because Mr.. brakes project
Is one that commends itself to the
minds OF prosperous people. but on account OF the
appeal that proclaimed 1t having revived the pop
ular interest IN the subject OF rapid transit The
Indications at present are that the committee Of
gentlemen who were appointed at the meeting In
the Chamber of Commerce on Monday last will
not be able to procure pledges for more than
1.-THE OF the sum OF So 100000, with which II is now
proposed to 'subsidizen some responsible COM
pany to begin the construction Of rapid transit
railroad before some independent wealthy
association will start the work. At last
accounts not more than $4,000 had been
pledged to the ''subsdyn or deferred stock"
D an, and a part OF this sum was pledged under
conditions that may not be fulfilled
the most important Of all the meetings that
subject OF rapid transit was the session OF the AS
ssmbly and Aldermanic committees on saturday
have Deen made curing the debates o. the past
two weeks were uttered az that session. They
General Daniel BItterneld. They settled or
seem to have settled, that the late OF
an idea. which has been strenuoasly upn,ee!a,
alluded tot Is that which declares rapid transit TO
be something which private capitalists can never
achieve in the lace OF the great opposition TO IT.
This idea has become firmly fixed In the minds OF
many ardent wlsners for q railway on which trains
reached the conviclion that the city alone can
build such road, and should at once be em'
Ing the few words and references In
Mr. Peckham's speech as truthful, though not
ma safa oSd
to which Mr.. Pecknam replied, appear to Indicate
that some deceived themselves Willingly alter
studying the constitution. Even n Mr.. Peckham
had not demonstrated that the city cannot legally
be empowered to lay down railroad tracks, Gem
eral Butterfed's remarks would have shaken
somewhat the belief that only the city can
build q RAPID transit railway. General But
terfeds statements bear the mark or
sincerity. His scheme is approved BY and viii be
supported with the money OF several capitalists
O chance Is given them will bid high Tor the iran.
chise OF an elevated railway, for failure to build
which they WIN forfeit $500, ooo II Mr.. peckhams
statements are correct the Legislature must neces-
sarily pass general railroad law under which
every company will have a cnance TO bid for the
right TO build rapid transit railway.