The New York herald., 1876-03-01
1870, 1871. ls'2c 1873, 1874.

This shows a total OF l2l killed and 252 wounded
omitting the year 1870 eight the New York
pads II will therefore be noticed that the estimate gwen
above Is not exaggerated Many of the wounded were
fesrfully mutilated some had one or both legs ampu
tated, and their lives brought TO an untimely end; ;
others again rendered completely helpless and be-
cane burdens either on their families friends or the
public. And Il Will almost stagger belief that the
companies in reporting to the LEGISLATURE frequently
used the heArtless term, "Fed with rum, " when rc
ton that this heavy bill OF mortality and misery s
mainly the result OF forcing passengers TO occupy the
platforms because seats or standing room can be
secured inside.
rnx SIXTH AVENUE COMPANY.
There s one point made by President Butler OF the
above company concerning the affairs OF his company
which needs some correction. Among the important
roads OF the city the Sixth avenue Is the shortest,
being only four miles in length The track is over one
OF the largest built up districts OF the metropolis and
the grade Is remarkably even Besides, portion OF the
rails of other companies are used in the traffic Ger
tsnly no street railway company in regard TO distance,
required smaller amount of outlay for It's construction
lpd equipment In 1865 say twelve years after II went
with debt OF 1926, ,000 and the dvidcnd on paid up
yock $3.50 0O0 was ten per cent outside OF seven
cent on indebtedness Two years later the debt was
reduced and the same dividend and interest paid In
lSs3 tho debt was $4,000 and cost OF road 81 S2 000
Now, by the last published report the dcbt Is
81 195 0O0-that IS OF about $500 900 in
year. The profit on the road with the exception of
one ycar, has renamed the same since 1865, as tho
accounts show but there is no reason set forth as to
what became OF $500 900 added to the obligations OF tho
sitth Avenue Company during the past two years and
upou which interest at the rate OF per cent
any improvements or repairs made or cars or cattle
purchased beyond the ordinary requirements OF traffic.
THIS IA singular condition OF affairs, requiring
PLANTATION from Mr.. Butler before he commits himself
10 the opinion that law that works we'll IN European
and American cities cannot be enforced in New York.
The actual cost OF the sixth avenue road is autbora
lively represented to be So 225 600 IL just four
miles in length and cost over $3.50, 900 to put It in
operation l The Belt line is eleven miles long and
cost according the official report considerably less
The Eighth 10 over three tunes the length OF tho
sixth and cost above half the amount said to be ex.
Aef fOr fho lalf md 10 IL
long as Mr. Buffers road was purchased recently. out
and out for $4,000 Mr. Butler considers the pres
value 81 the property of his company at 81 d25 O00
which is, OF course, a most extra"aeant estimate.
AVENUE LINE DEFENcE
Passing from Mr.. Butler who estimates hts road, IN
cudng cars horses &C. iuly three uncs It's actual
value. the President OF the Eighth avenue line is found
30 grow enthusiastic over the blessings conferred on
the public bJ street cars with all their nagrant abuses
He rather prefers riding IN crowded vehicle standing
on platform or packed like herring inside than
USING his own elegant carriage or handsome buggy.
He thinks also that passengers are continually
changing they get seats IT they want them Ii rs
needless to remark that all this Is moonshne and that
Nr Law would think more than twice before ntrusiing
his person and the valuablcs he, no doubt, usually
carries with him, within the precincts OF convey
anee that may be justly compared TO the Black Hole Of
Calcutta and which. Notwithstanding ITS responsiveness,
is notoriously patronzcd by representatives OF the
light fingered gentry. But Mr.. Law still further
would hesitate long TO endanger his Lie or limbs by
standing the platform of ono OF his street cars Tho
statement given above Of fatal casualties and Injuries
20 passengers 10 which he Is no stranger would deter
HIM from ncurrng risk, and u Is with the view Of pre-
venting the public from being constantly exposed to
the same danger that the Legislature u bcsought
pass tho biii before Il, so as to put
an end overcrowdng which Is the chief causc Of the
freqHent scenes OF slaughter and muiation. No one
knows better than Mr. Law lha; the Eighth Avenue
Company IL hound by is agreement TO ran ts cars rs
oen the public convenience requires, and that the
statutes OF the state require proper accommodation
that tr as has been decided by tho highest Courts
scat with sufficient room within the vehicle. Had
this been the not onetsnth OF the cruel deaths
aud maiming referred TO could possibly have taken
place II may be said that nobody rs compelled 70 ride
unless they get a seat The Eighth Avenue company,
az well inc city authorities, understood this when
the former obtained It's franchise over twenty years
age ana provision made in the grant tnat every
passenger desiring to ride should have seat The
corporation got the Of the best part Of the streets
already graded and improved at public expense as
consideration for this accommodation The privilege
mentioned Is q the greatest possible value aud yet
while occupying the principal thoroughiaros OF tho
city 70 their injury for ordinary purposeshcse over
grown corporations, who realize unhcard OF profits,
treat with contempt the demands oi Tho people tor
decent treatment while riding IN their Not alone
Is this outrage pcrpoirated but offered IN
extenuation unreasonable TO merit only dcrson.
II ls about time for the Assembly Railroad Committee
% take action on Mr. Killians bL