The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-02-14
STAGES VS.. CARS.

To TIE EDIroR OF THE HERALD
History tells that in the olden time much ingenu-
ity exercised the invention of instruments Of
torture. There thumbscrews and racks and other
diaoolca machines but it reserved for the present
generation TO produce that peculiar irritating torture
the street Perhaps the public would not grieve
had the inventor, like OF the oden time been
crushed 10 death in the instrument Of his inven-
ton aud il is wonder that he did not invent india
rubber car, that would stretch TO avoid such a
contingency Rapid transit is wanted, undoubtedly,
but SO is comfortable transit, which the monopolists-
the companies-will not supply "Fourth Avenue
Conductor says the public "had better take what they
get and say nothing the advice given the darkey
who went a chicken stealing expedition, but which
reminds the public of the who skinnng cells
and swearing them because they would not lie STILL
'Daily Vctim suggests cheap cabs and free transit.
1t would seem If the latter would remedy the evil
few years ago some gentlemen contemplated start
ing stage line to Yorkve, but they found them
selves opposed by act of the Legislature claws OF
1852, which in substance fOrbids any stage line being
authorized without frst the consent of the properly
owners along the line, and secondly the sale of the
franchise by public auction, the idea aban-
doned. This law gives tho car companies a monopoly
Who would take the trouble get the of the
property owners, with chance Of being outbid the
franchises
Now, why should the car companies, who on their
own showing cannot accommodate the public prevent
others doing SOY In London Paris, have heard IL
said the right of transit is open TO the general public
ana any person run public vehicle upon paying a
license which states the number they shall carry
why should IL not be so hereg Why
should not any one be authorized to a stage
or stages at a rate Of fare not exceeding ten
cents competition would regulate the below that?
Stages have many over the street car They
have front platform which the traveller can be in
vitcd to Jump ON he steeet stop for pas
sengers at the risk Of breaking his neck and aghtng
fn1,u
Tho traveller who obtains a seat-a probability in a
stageis not seated between two extremes; that is,
there is front door to give him cooling draught'
now and then, and the windows are not so ngeniousy
arranged to send draught continuously the back
OF his neck, and 50 give MIN touch OF rheumatism.
There straps which he have the privilege OF
hanging TO II one should be vacant and there no
front platform where he have his pocket picked
be pitched into the street through some impatient fell
low passenger pulling the bell in undue season
Possibly other vehicles running side by side with the
street conld accommodate passengers with seat
aud they would take the way travel which the car COM
panes throw away, for few people care about rid
ing dozen blocks In a crowded horse car and between
three and seven r. W. very many walk the short dis
tances rather than hang on TO strap stages would
most likely be less Objectionable to property owners,
and would be convenience across Thirtyfourth ana
Forty streets Chambers street from the Erie
Railroad 20 James street ferry.
AS the car companies were authorized to charge Eve
cents iare with seat, why not compel them TO take
lhree cents without and have two cusses of cars
or seated passengers only at six cents, and the other
for all AZ three oentsg that of your cor.
respondents are rather facetOus on this point one
cuartably suggesting subscription TO buya drawing
room car Tor another correspondent and third GEN
crously sending twenty cents Of the
same lhing But these gentlemen will probably recol-
lect We have "gentemen's cabin and "lades'
caoin on our Terry boats and why should not have
the same thing on our cars n Is hard 10 tell
They must have felt the annoyance If thew have had
20 take tho cars when accompanied with ladies' OF ind.
ing them filled with passengers carrying packages Of
all kinds nom aturkey a bundle Of coats or paper
boxes Al the same time poor people have equal
rights which should be respected btt not with mo
idea that they only should have rights and that people
must either occupy their or none "The world
was made for Cesar, but for Titus, too I"
Why not have hrst class cars in which everybody
could ride and hang 20 the straps to their hearts
content carry bundles, with the contingency of a
scat or vacant strap u u could DO found-fare throc
cents-and a second class for seated passengers
oniy-fare. six ccnts3 Limit the number TO
be carried In the latter; impose nne
OF $50 for each extra passenger carried, and
allow any one 70 prosecute for the penalty and receive
half the fine Then throw open the rgb Of 10
Tho general public 10 run vehicles alongside OF the
'ars. II may be said nothing but second class cars
Suld be run, and few Of them Possibly the general
patNc would supply the accommodation. and besides