The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-20
HIon WoRDs BEF0RE THE MIroR.
UsuPpatioB, Pothouse Politicians, and Other
Thinws Referred 20 In n Discussion.

The Common Council paescd on Tuesday
last on the motion Of Alderman Reilly. rcso-
luton which alleged that tho Now York Elc-
vatod Railroad Company. In running iis tracks
across the Battery, had altered tho route Of its
road prescribed by the Rapid Transit Commits
sioners; directed tho Park Comm ie8ioncrs to
revoke their PORN scion to use The Battery. and
requested tho Corporation Council to compel
the company to build ia road ON the roatc drs-
ignated Ivy tho Commissioners. Cyrus W. Field.
David Dudley Field H. W. Bishop. -. Brewster,
j, NJ. Ffkc. Charles j. Onndn. and other gen
tlcmcn WHO are Interested In tho New York
Elevated Rad urged Mayor Ely yesterday to
veto tho resolution. David Dudley FcI was
the Spokesman. lie said that the Aldermen had
not tho power to pass the resolution. tho con-
troll Of the parks having been given Nv tho Log
isaturo 10 the parl; Commissioners. Tho pas
sage Of the resolution was an act OF usurpation,
and the Mayor. by signing it, wouldApprovc the
usurpation. Tho resolution drccttA the Park
Commissioners to 10 what they could not do.
Tho Park Commissioners could not revoke the
permit given to the railroad company to uso
the Battery without six months notice To tho
company Of their intention. No such notice
had been given. Tho Rapid Transit Commits
sioncrs' resolution fixing the company = route
provided TINT II might be- so varied as ~ cause
the least obstruction or injury to tho Battery.
consistent with an adherence 10 the route M
DESIGNATED. Tho line thus designated was that
for which the Park Commissioners gave their
license, varied only undcr the reservation con.
tHinnd in the Rapid Transit Commissioners
resolution fixing tho route Of the road Tho
directors Of the road intend to do what they can
to prevent the disigurrmpnt Of the Battery.
Mr. Field thought that the disadvantage Of
little less beauty in u corner of the Battery.
which is enjoyed bya few hundreds. would DO
overcome by tho convenience afforded to
thousands moving from one end Of Manhattan
Island To the other. Tho Aldermen did not think
II Dissertation Of the Battery To maintain on IL
the emigrant depot for the convenience Of the
few hundred thousand immigrants who yearly
arrive IN this port. surely It was less dcsccra-
ton 10 permit n few feet on one side of the Bat
tory To bo used for tho convenience Of millions
Of our own ctizcns.
man Reilly. the father Of the resolutio ion. asked
tho Mayor when those who favored il would be
heard Tho Mayor PAYING. no attention 20 the
gucstion. Mr. n.illy Said' III talk TO the Mayor
Mr. Field said that everything about the ma
ter must bo public
Thcreupon MIR. Reilly said TINT representa-
tivcs Of the railroad company had been lobby
ing around theCity Hall for several days. Ho
had been asked what could be done for him.
Mr. Field asked for how many uinces the Al
dermAn had applied to the company. and Mr..
Reilly. replied that he Ind asked for one placer
lie added that Mr. Fields assertion that not
more than two hundred persons visited tho
battery on any diay at this season of the year
WIS ridiculous. | and my family go there
nearly every day IN the week" he said. Then
Mr. Reilly attacked Mr. Fields allegation that
the Common Council had no right to pass the
resolution. Ito gave as proof that they had the
authority that in 1877 they passed resolution
relative TO locating an armory in Washington
squire.
" II what the Aldermen have done Is proof Of
what Is the law" Mr.. Field replied. tho Lord
defend u.s."
Mr. Reilly wished IN know why Mr. Field
came Ia the Mayors Office to oppose the rcsolu-
ton II the Aldermen had no right to pass it,
=" Because il is directed against my clients. &"
Mr. Field answered. " would protect them in
this case rs | would protect one Of my friends
against the attack of a set OF pothOuse politi-
clans, IL II Is in MY power TO do So"
Mr. Reilly asked. Indignantly, what Mr.. Field
meant 10y pothouso politicians. Mr.. Field began
90 explain. but was Interrupted by Mayor Ely s
remark that Mr.. Reiliy's question was not ger
name 10 the subject under discussion.