The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-12-24
SOLDIERS DEADTE1D
Tho Dispute between the NatiopaI Guards
men and the Ferry Companies

"Shall members OF the National Guard I'm
uniform bo charged ferriage in crossing fer
rics ?" is n question that has for some time past
been agitatcd. Members of the National Guard
take the negative and the ferry companies the
affirmative. and the Greenpoint ferry has de-
MED several National Guardsinen tho privilege
OF free transit.
An Old law especially says that tho militia
shall have free forringc when going to or re-
turning from any parade, encampmont, drill. or
meeting, and the law further provides that the
conveyance Of tho military passengers and tho
military property Of the State shall also be free.
The dispute first arose soon after the OPEN
ing Of Crcodmoor ranges when the East River
Ferry Company objected to carrying members
Of the National Guard free across the river.
The law does not apply TO any of the New Jcr-
as follows:
ANY person belonging to the military forces the state
& or meeting wc hc NAV bc rrsaard by Sw To A.
tend shall together with his conveyance and the militia
all tolsacs. over toll bridges and ferries.
The treasurer OF the East River Ferry, ply
ing between Hunters Point and New York.
says TINT the rush of military deadheads was
range in 1874. Previous to that the number Of
soldiers who crossed free were very few and
there was no objection made to them hut when
they came In droves IL was different. We have
the greatest affection for the soldier boys" con-
ike angels, but We don't think that we ought to
be expected to carry them deadhead by the
Wholesale, We pay our taxes. and the author
tiles hadn't ought TO require any more from
us. Sometimes we have carried as many
rs 400 soldiers free on n single trip, and the
thanks that we have got has been in the shape
ofbroken seats and dirty cabins We try to
keep our boats clean. but Il Is difficult whore u
body Of troops cross in them. On one Of tho
Jamess slip boats the soldiers put their muddy
feet on the camp stools in the cabins. and when
some OF the passengers objected. they run their
Nnn In Ia.
stances we have had our boats completely filled
with soldiers. and vehicles had been kept wait
ing or driven AWAY.
:, On the 18th Of August 1874 tho Seventh
Regimen marched over 500 men free. and in
the same month we took over 5Oi mombers Of
the Fifty-flfth. On the 10th Of September, 1874
we carried 600 members Of the Brooklyn
Iwenty-third Regiment, and on tho 18th of
September. 1875. We took over $50 soldiers OF
the First Brigade. On the 18th of June last we
transported free $50 members Of the Seventh
Regiment, and on the next day 5si members Of
the Ninth Regiment. From June. 1874. TO juno.
ISL, we took 27s2s soldiers FREQ across the
Thrty-fourth street ferry and 1914 across the
James slip Terry in the same period We do
not intend. however. to resist the SOL
the boys can march through whenever they
please. Last year Capt Casey OF Company OF
the Seventh Regiment offered to appear as
plnintin in friendly suit against the company
courts. but his superior officer warned him that
lie might expose himself 30 legal annoyances
and he did not institute the suit. He pays tolls
Tor MS men Whenever they cross the ferry.
and have written to the AdJutant- General and
the Attorney General of the State, but have not
obtained any satisfaction. The late Attorney
GENERAL promised TO give the matter Immediate
stitutional. but he went out Of office without
rendering decision"