The New York herald., 1876-10-26
NEW YORK AND ITS TRADE.

To EDITOR HERALD
The HERALD from time to time has shown an INTEL
gent in the question of providing proper
nal facilities for the transaction OF business along
tho water front OF the city. New York. by Of
her truly magnG Gcent water advantages a seaport
has naturally attracted the chicr commerce OF tho
country With the Hudson River and the Erie Canal
connecting the great northern lakes, and previous 10
the completion OF the great railway limos Boston,
Philadelphia and Baltimore, the vast products OF the
West and Northwest we're noatcd to our docks much
easily ana economically than at either OF the
seaporis above mentioned. For ten years past agen
ces have been steadily at work 10 bring tho great gram
aud pork producing regions within easy reach
OF rival ports By energy, capital and persc-
verance natural disadvantages have been overcome
and the result Is that New York has three pow
crful rivals. Business Is not done for the simple
pleasure Of nll,ns up time the paramount purpose
competition, such ms We now Witness those who have
capital to embark In trade arc 60 ug 10 put that cap
tai at points where u will yield tho largest return.
Previous 10 1870 our business men here appeared to
have 1t all iheir own way. In the general OF
Southern and Western trade TO the city little or
attention was paid 10 securing convenient terminal
advantages. Our docks wero largely in the inter-
esls OF politicians and spectators, who prac,sed
wicked and criminal ext0rtions upon the business
men, The structures left rot down, and thou
sands OF dollars were charged 10 the city Tor repairs
aud improvements never made.
The whole record Of the management Of this price,
less estate, previous to the organization OF the Dock
department.. ms vile as anything could well be-
department. and II Ia wonder that Now York succeeds
all undersuch Wild harvest OF fraud and obbcry
Nothing sut her natural advantages saved her from
ruin.
Tho Improvement OF the docks and whsrves Is to-day
OF the most important subjects that possibly
engage the attention of our citizcns a walk along
South and West streets will any
person that the commerce OF this port, II be
maintained must Je provided with better facilities.
This great necessity has grown upon me steadily
from the first hour OF my connection with this depart
ment and yet, strange II may seem, with
all the dangers that menace our trade, there has
been what do not hesitate 10 characterize stupid
siuon to the progress OF this great work The city
debt is large-too large, admit; woua not consent
to add dollar unnecessarily to this heavy burden;
but power to lit these burdens and our future
success depends upon the fact whether New York
continue to hold tho key to tho commerce OF the
country. West street most be widencd to admit the
passage OF railway trains in closo proximity to the
docks This IL necessary IN order 10 inertranst
expenses, for, as tho HERALD says, "a few cents
hundred turns away trade from us" Ii is the last
straw that breaks the camcrs back
must, in order to save themselves, put forth heroic
efforts.
one other thinq-the authorities OF Boston, Pha-
deiphia and Baltimore have generously como to the
belp OF raGways seeking relief at those scaboards
How has II been in New York This question is
easily answered by those who have watched The
Of things here There seems TO have been for years
past sort OF combination between the authorities and
property owners 10 keep railroads from coming into
the city at all. Tho continuance OF this system OF blind
sei-prcscrvation must II persisted In. check tho
growth OF the city and dcprccac the general value of
property 10 extent wholly unlocked Tor by those
wnc the subject from narrow aud selfish siaud-
point New York will continue 10 grow, but she wants
increased supply Of water ana better pavcmcnts.
and she must have, in keep increase her
population, rapid transit and cummodous wharf
and dock accommodations. Mess these things
valuable element OF power anu growth Very respect
fully, $. II. WALES.