The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-02
The Merchants Cut Loose from the Axe
Grinders and Lobbyists.
The Matter To Be Considered by the
Common Council.
Mr.. A. A. Drake on the Solution of
the Ugly Problem.

completion Is spreading. and many public spirited
citizens and property owners who would be
benefited BY such boon are now for The first
time moving in the matter Meetings have
been held, as Is already known to the readers OF
the HERALD, by merchants and others, who are
determined as the first step toward quick transit,
to raise $3,oO0oOo by popular subscriptions to push
on the work; but the adjourned meeting called at
the rooms Of the Chamber OF Commerce yesterday
by Mr.. Drake, Chairman OF the merchants confer
enoe that was held last Wednesday, In point OF
interest and enthusiasm excelled any OF the
previous gatherings in this direction. Among
THE PROMINENT BUSINESS MEN
in attendance, either as advocates or spectators,
were Rev. DR.. Stoddard, OF Washington Heights;
Lawson y. Fuller, Louis b. RAIDER. Fort Wasning-
ton; A. B. Mills. Washington Heights; F. M.
Jencks. Washington Heights; L. Friedman, Pine
street; L. G. Phillips Henry Bergh. H. b. Clafin,
d. NJ. Garrison, General D. Butterneld Grifith
Rowe. Cyrus Clarke, Commodore Levy, John Ha-
ven, Mr.. Morrill,, X. n. Hazard, R. C. Root. John
M. Kemp, Charles H. Roosevelt and william H.
Webb. From the drift OF the discus
sion it was very evident that there
were present persons who had axes to
grind and we're desirous to capture the movement;
but they were most sgnaly defeated, the spirit OF
the meeting being ipdisposed to consider outside
issues as to this or that scheme until SUFFICIENT
sum had been subscribed by persons deeply inter.
ested In the solution OF the quick transit problem
to justify the consideration OF these less weighty
subjects.
The meeting was organized by The nomination
and election Of B. L. Alderman as Chairman and
Charles H. Roosevelt of New Rochelle, IS Secre-
tary, when the minutes OF the Wednesday meeting
were read and approved.
Mr.. DRAKE, chairman OF that meeting, ad-
by that body authorized TO take the prelim-
mary steps to call meeting. A day or two after
the last meeting he had received Q letter from
gentleman OF influence and wealth, expressing
some doubt about the propriety OF public meet.
ing at this time. In the meantime, said Mr.. Drake
the movement became more popular, and de-
cided to delay the matter, and, while taking the
liberty OF differing from the gentleman a. 10 the
propriety Of the meeting. have thought 1t advis-
able to invite you TO meet again for the purpose
Of giving this movement wider and more i'm.
portans bearing % basis for it, start. do not
think that anything has been loot by tho delay.
SHUTTING OFF THE AxE+GRINDERs.
CHARLES h. ROOSEVELT offered the following
resoutton:- 5
Resolved That the proceeding Of this meeting and
the 3 q. S @ sDS s
raising fund - bssis of rapid transit l,I rs
This caused considerable commotiou In the
meeting. L. F. Barry objected to It because It
closed the mouths Of the gentlemen present. They
need not take action upon ell tho points connected
with rapid transit, but there may DO some things
desirable for US to know and act upon. For this
reason ne opposed the motion. Mr.. L. NJ Vail,
who at one time was Secretary OF Q rapid transit
movements In Yorkvllle. also opposed the resolu.
ton, and moved tnat 1t be laid upon the table.
Mr.. DRAKE-From the outset OF this movement
the only subject noticed here has been to make
move Tor subscriptions, and any other proposition,
think Is In bad taste. THIS meeting is merely to
induce capitalists to advance the means put the
undertaking through. We have come here simply
as matter OF business. II variety OF topics are
to be introduced 1t will embarrass the Chairman
and will not accomplish anything.
Il. PETERsoN-l will move an amendment / de-
sire 10 speak upon subject relative to rapid
transit Therefore move that the question
JACOB COHEN Qnrerrupting)-I hope the resoln-
ton TO limit tho BUSINESS will prevail. 1t is not
to bring In rapid transit plans we have met.
What we want is money. l am willing to sub
scribe $1,000. (Applause.)
Mr.. BARRY-The object Is not so much to raise
money as to build q rapid transit road. We must
know how 1t Is to be appropriated before we can
expect to have large sums subscribed This reso-
luton. Mr.. Barry maintained. would shut out In
quiry and prevent discussion.
The point Of order was here raised that motion
70 table was not debatablc. when the resolution
was withdrawn. Mr. Drake appealing to the gen.
tlemen present to connne the deIi0eraslons strictly
THE RAISING OF MONEY
He then sald:I will offer for the consideration OF
the meeting matter which Is strictly germane.
Tue question is asked. what Is proposed to be
done" have condensed TINS In the form OF
natures OF such gen tiemen as desire " see rapid
transit % success. Mr. Drake then read the lolo W.
ing SUBSCRIPTION pledge -
set oppoe their respective names toward the creation
Of nd 70 be In the capital stick Of s
haitian Island to such points northcry may be deter
n %ass Ss al Of II re sSs
81 sa S pDn n e IS S %
that the said two thirds shat represent more
srSed ay and ur ssS povdsd sa
Cptesa sum s S ssa h Ss
claim for interest divioends other
a and T. ali ds to &c Of Os Ua
action.
This form of subscription was unanimously
adopted by the meeting which by this time was
composed OF iully one hundred oil our most eni err
prlslng merchants ana business men.
Mr.. DRAKE remarked at this stage OF the pro-
cecungs that this paper presented In NJ lew words
as possible the only feasible plan Dy which rapid
our State cons. itutlon prohibited the passage OF
new charters by the Legislature, and as nearly all
the franchises granted mad lapsed II seemed to
HIM that the subject had got ~ be done de nOc0.
The obstacle in the past has been Tue want Of q
sufficient sum OF money to make capitalists feel
secure In putting their money into .sne investment
Now, II the pc pie VINO are directly Interested IN
this subjective people who ride ana own prop
erty OH the line o! the proposed road-wilI come
forward aud beg Subscriptions TO paper Of tnl5
kind, snow their determination 10 push the work,
the wealthy capitalists o. this city aud Europe
means might be rcquled to nnlsn the
road. 1t is q mistaken impression tnat tue
~ m n n In hny
conversed with many OF them and they snow
more active interest than the people at large.
they have given their time anu spent consid cradle
money IN perfcctng schemes of rapid transit.
The TACT Is that the people have been Wiling TO az
hid the wagner OF wn0m we read in our school
books. When ne got stuck nc did nothing but lie
down In his wagon and
CALL UPON HERCULES
to help him out OF the mire. Nov let us put our