Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-05-01
NEW YORK LETTER.

NEW YORK LETTER.
The Elevated Raiiroads Advanctn0 to Com
pl.eton--1srilliaMt Eastev Di.pl"ys.
Correspondents Of the Globe.
New YoRx, April 24.-The activity shown
throughout the winter in building the ele-
waited railroad is not allowed to wane. In
functions upon injunctions were fled as OBJ
structions in their pathways, but to no effect.
The great corporations came out victorious
in the courts, and left their opponents only
the satisfaction Of seeing their houses dark
ened, the value of their property lowered,
and their business imperiled. No where
else but in New York would such robbery be
permitted, but New Workers are peculiar
people, long suffering and kind. The voice
of few, living on the avenues and streets
through which the roads pass, was dis
regarded; the mass of tho people
cried ssrapid transit the Legislature said
they should have it, and that was enough.
What right had property owners to object
to an ungainly structure being placed in
front of their dwellings and stores when the
public demanded that such q structure
should he built in order that the even selfish
public might reach their business and houses
by a more rapid method than that now in
vogue. This was the argument of those
whose interests lay elsewhere than on the
projected lines. The robbery has been COM
mitted, however, in spite of all opposition,
and the work on the roads has advanced so
we'll that q five mile section of the Gilbert
company will be in running order by the
18th of next month.
This structure is by far the strongest in
appearance of the two roads now being
built; but for distance of three miles is
supported in such a manner that accidents
on the roadway below are sure to happen.
The columns supporting this part of the
road stand in tue middle of the street. while
for the remainder Of the way, they are
placed at the edge of the sidewalk, position
not insuriny such great strength perhaps,
but more out of the way of street travel.
The great question to be settled is. whether
these roads will give the relief sAght for by
the frienGs Of quick transit. Had
the promoters Of the movement been
wise they would have followed the ex-
nple of the London companies, and built
underground railways. They claimed that
this was not feasible in New York, but the
late s'Commodore'' Vanderbilt has shown
them to the contrary by constructing four
track tunnel, throug four miles OF a popu-
lous district, without interruption to single
| train of the three great roads of which he is
the head-the New York Central, the Harlem,
and the New Haven. He committed one
great error by not extending this tunnel the
entire length of the city, when rapid transit
would have been virtually disposed OF. 1t
would not be surprising if VIM.
H. Vanderbilt should yet endeavor to do
| this, for the new roads will be in direct COM
petition with his line of horse-cars from the
Grand Union depot to the post Office, and
will surely lessen its receipts to great ex-
! tent.
! There is no doubt that the suburban
towns on Manhattan island will be greatly
| benefited by the increased facilities of travel,
New Jersey not being able to offer any
greater inducements as place for resi-
dences. In the districts known as the
Twenty and Twenty fourth wards of
| the city, but recently annexed, there are
many pretty villages which only lacked
steam railroad communication to the lower
part of the city to make them desirable for
homes for those of moderate means. Com
munication having been established, it is
expected q rapid growth of population
will follow. This, in all probability, will be
the case, for the combined advantage of
city and country is too great an offer to be
disregarded. Gas and croton water are fast
taking the places of kerosene and wells, and
for many, these are things not to be done
without. If those in power are not blind to
their own interests and those Of their con-
stitu ,nts, New York will still hold up its
head as the Empire City, Notwithstanding
the great efforts being made to draw from it
both population and mercantile supremacy.
! EASTER HOLIDAYS.
The beautiful weather that it has
been the lot of New Workers to
enjoy for week past, of
course gave full opportunity for the ladies' to
parade their new apparel and flower garden
bonnets. Easter Sunday attractions crowd
ed the churches to overlooking, drawing
many occasional Christians thit'ler from
curiosity to see the floral decorations and to
hear the hallelujahs Of prima donnas, with
orchestral Accomplishments. So great was
the attendance at some of the more fashion
able places Of worship, that the pew owners
and regular attendants were crowded out,
and great was their righteous wrath thereat.
These may be hard times, but
a stranger visiting our churches
on Sunday last, would certainly
have thought to the contrary. Floral dis
plays which must have cost thousands, COR
geous new dresses overtopped by exquis
itely rich and costly hats. met the eye at
every turn, and gave ono the idea that it was
incumbent on the devout to show outward
as well as inward gladness on the celebra,
ton of such memorable event. Certainly
a finer array of handsome, smiling faces
could not have been produced than that
which presented itself on Fifth avenue afte1
morning service. In fact, every one seemed
to inhale spirit of gladness from the warn
spring sunshine which not only filed thei
hearts with happiness, but which radiatet
/ from their faces in beams Of peaceful joy.
II FOREIGN GRAIN MARKETS.
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