The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-06-23
Drawbacks and Duties or Rapid
Transit.

lNauueu III tne iAteicStS oi ING many tAVy
cannot. be relinquished because they hap
pen to be inconvenient or even injurious to
few. The law of course protects the rights
Of the humblest citizen and throws proper
safeguards about private property, so
that it is not permitted to be
taken even for public use without
fair compensation. In civilized society,
where law and order prevail, the strong can
not Cypress the weak, but individual inter-
ests must nevertheless yield to the general
good. When railroad Is constructed
through settled State it necessarily cuts
up farms, destroys the symmetry and
beauty of pleasure grounds, and sometimes
necessitates the destruction of buildings.
The owners are paid what is found 10 be a
just valuation for the property taken, but
when this is done the rights of the individ-
ual are at an end. A farmer may consider
himself very inadequately compensated by
the price he receives, and il his wishes
could prevail would not probably allow his
land to be divided by railroad track for
four times the amount The owner OF an
estate may consider himself very hardly
treated when his lawns and gardens,
which afford him 50 much pleasure,
are destroyed, or when the home in
which he has lived all his life is pulled
down to make way for the iron horse But
these considerations cannot be permitted
to block the path of commerce or to
obstruct the progress and prosperity
of the Commonwealth. The courts will
always interfere to prevent wanton
and unnecessary encroachment on
citizens property, even for public pur-
pose, whether it be the construction of
railroad or any other improvement. But
the principle that the convenience and
wishes of individuals must give way before
the interests of the community is we'll set
tied and perfectly just Without it few
great works could be undertaken by State
and the power and growth of country
would be fatally crippled.
Rapid transit is necessity to the prog
ress and prosperity Of the city of New York
and to the health, convenience and comfort
Of million people. This consideration
justified and demanded the construction of
the elevated railroads. They were opposed
by individual interests supposed to be adj
versely affected by them, and the tedious
delay TINT occurred in the commence
: careful consideration by the courts of
the points whether such roads were pub
lie convenience and necessity and whether
there was any private ownership or rights
in the ground they were to occupy with
their posts and stations. When these ques-
tions were decided all legal distractions
were swept away and the roads were
built. 1t was not to be expected
that such a system of locomotion could be
put into operation through crowded city
without interfering with some interests,
and if there is any resident of New York
who expects to derive all the benefits of
public improvements without experiencing
any discomfort he should make his home
elsewhere. The complaints now heard
against the Metropolitan Elevated Railroad
come from two sources-the storekeepers
and residents along the line of the
road and the people who travel over
it. The former find number of
are damaged by the road in several
ways. The trains jar their buildings and
make so much noise as to be not only n
serious discomfort, but to interfere with the
transaction of their business. The sparks
from the engines set fire to their awnings
and endanger their houses by entering the
open windows. The fine coal dust and
a., 49, 4
mode them, and the poison of the
coal gas is unbearable and dangerous to
health. Those who travel on the road make
complaint of the smoke. the coal dust and
the gas, the latter being sometimes so often
sive in the forward car as to compel persons
to leave it. The foot passengers and drivers
OF vehicles also have their grievances, and
cry out against the noise OF the trains, the
putting of the engines and the carelessness
displayed in dropping cnders, water and
sometimes bolts and other dangerous things
from the track to the annoyance and peril
Of the passers by.
The residents along the line of both the
elevated railroads will, no doubt, suffer
some Inconvenience and disconforts under
the best of circumstances ! but, as in all such
cases, they must submit to them as best
they may. taking with the rest Of the people
the benefits conferred by rapid transit
rs their compensation. The complaints
that come from those who constantly use
the road have good foundation but
it should nevertheless be remembered
that the Metropolitan Elevated road had
great difficulties to encounter; that the
work of construction was pushed with n
vigor and spirit deserving of all praise that
the commendable ambition of it, managers
was to open it to the public at the earliest
possible moment; that perfection cannot be
attained at once, and that practical expert
ence is needed to point ont faults and to