The New York herald., 1879-07-09

man glanced at his accuser Mr.; sauer who sat with
his head resting mis- two hands and then began to
explain his motives in calling up the rapid transit
report.
ssIn asking" began Mr.. Haughton. 'for the dis
charge OF the committee who had charge of the pro-
Central Depot the City Hall and in requesting this
Board set its s6a of condemnation that nfani-
scheme. did SO in the most perfect good faith.
the matter to vote to-day. think in taking this
course. but echo the sentiments of ninety y-nine
out every hundred OF the inhabitants of this CITY,
The people have deluged this Board with remon-
strances against building the proposed road and
sideration. Why do these men want q new
road down Fourth avenue? Is 1t to be run in
the interest OF the citizens. or is it to be made
part of the great chain Of monopoles that under
These are questions that ought and must be fully
considered in taking action on the report that is
before the Board. There does not seem to be
any limit to the impudence OF this man
Vanderbilt. Here he Is asking permission to
for his own purposes another gigantic road that
would bring millions of dollars into his already
almost bursting treasury. This matter of mon
opolies and the people must up sooner or later
The fight is bound to take place, and when it docs
the issue will transcend in Importance any political
issue that has ever come up. If my colleagues
stand frm-Qooking about the rooml-I hope
and trust that we will send this job back to the
Grand Central Depot, where it was originated, and
say that the power Of the people Of the city and
county New York is far greater and stronger and
more powerful tuau I'LL OF tanu6rDllt'S m1lsOuS. i
did not suppose when got up to mako my motion
that would be charged with any corrupt motives.
did not think that would be made the subject Of
insinuatiohs innuendos of charges which,
II true, would unfit me to be member Of the Board
OF Aldermen. And in relation to what has been
charged, will say. right here. to the person who
made the charges, well to my colleagues and
everybody else in the chamber, that am well
known in this town as anybody and have just as
much regard for my character anybody else.
With this Introduction will commence to defcnd
my action to-day in SO far as think there is any
possible need of derence.
THE ALpERMANs DEFENCE.
In the first place, will state why called up the
Of the Street COMMITTEES from ts further cons,dera
tion My for doing this is first. because the
proposition to build a new road through Fourth
City Hail. is infamous scheme and an
outrage on the people of this city; secondly.
have always considered delays to be dangerous
when rich and powerful corporations have to be
dealt with. This is particularly the whore the
corporations to be dealt with all powerful, and
may say where they not only rule the Legs-
lature OF our own State. but even shape
the legislation of other commemorative: And
0T subject of common rumor 'D It's discussion may nay
be heard here, there and everywhere The impress
sion has abroad that Vanderbilt has got to have
q road through Fourth avenue anyhow-no matter
what the opposition the part of the corporate
thorities; no matter how strenuously the people
may object; matter. in short. what influences
are brought by the people Of this city or
by their accredited representatves-the road must
Se or on e 40
along the street, anywhere without somebody stop
ing me and saying. ''Ha ha old boy. you've got a
good thing now; how much is old Vanderbilt going
to give you for passing on his proposed new road?
Iaughter.) Another friend will siyly wink and say.
s.Now you've got plan,' 'How much is it worth?'
and so on Ny very ears tingle with the sounds I
can hear them now as am speaking. Now all this
not very pleasant. and ask my colleagues here
to-day to refute these charges by voting against the
adoption OF this report. 1t has been said that
the Committee Streets had not been given
time to investigate the matter. but they
consideration
for two weeks. and what have they done? Why have
they done nothingG Why did they not act promptly
when the matter placed in their charge? Two
weeks was amply sufficient time in which have
tho matter discussed. Many meetings could have
been held in that time and all that could be said for
and against the project might have been heard
The committee for some reason had seen At not
to hold such meeting at which the whole subject
know. And here will. for one moment. alude to
significant and, believe. an undenable fact. Has
any man, has any body OF men. appeared before the
Mayor, or petitoned the Board OF Aldermen in favor
Of this roadY Have the taxpayers of this city or
any number of them signifed their Willingness
to have the road constructed? No; not even
citizen, not even one taxpayer, has raised his
voice in favor of the Vanderbilt scheme. On the
the Rapid Transit Commissioners presented
to Mayor Cooper a body of men. represent
body of men "a it has been in my ex-
perience to see-waited upon the Mayor and in the
most earnest manner requested him to use his in
huence to prevent the confirmation Of the report
This he had promised to do aid that he kept his
promise everybody knew. He was compelled by law
to send the report to the Aldermen. and he accom-
panied it with a communication expressing his
timents at the action Of the Commissioners.
REPLY CHARGES.
'.And now will come to the consideration Of the
very extraordinary and grave allegations that have
this day been made the floor Of this chamber by
reply want the patriot who makes these charges
to thoroughly understand fact and that is that.
the top to the and
I defy any to find ANYTHING against me.
and just there. IN the language OF the boys is where
lay over the common political trickstors who make
q trade of politics. My motion not made for tho
purpose of insulting the committee. had no desire
to do Neither was it made in anticipation Of
l have been in Office year. and I am
not particular about place or. position.
take it if it suits me. When it don't then attend
to my private business, which is more than. said
q mode of living. The scene that has just been
witnessed in this Board very extrsordi-
nary in its character. member of tho
Board has risen in his seat. and in cool
and deliberate manner has made charges affecting
my character and reputation and standing this
community man would naturally suppose that
he had the proof that would support allegations;
that he had. in short. evidence that could not be
gainsaid; that could not be contradicted. aud
that would bear the searching light of any
inquiry that might be made into the matter.
I suppose. of course. that before he made
falsity and. after due deliberation and careful
consideration. has come to the conclusion that they
are well founded. NOW, whether this be 80 or not,
want the gentleman to- come out now like
and tell all he knows or prctends 10 know In rels
ton to what he says. want him to come out here
and now before all my colleagues and before all the
other gentlemen present. The charges publicly
made, and think am justified In asking for pub
lie hearing of the proof OF their trnth If any such
there be-"
Here Alderman Haughton stopped. as IL to give
Mr.. Sauer opportunity to make good his charges,
but the latter remained seated and said nothing. He
did meet the glance that shot out of the
excited eyes OF Mr.. Haughton Seeing that his col
league did not desire to say anything Alderman
Haiighton continued:-
"And now, / cannot induce the person who
made the charges to substanae them at the present
time will give him all the opportunity lie may de-
sire to do so in the future For this purpose not
only request but insist upon having committee
of investigate appointed and, with the permission
of the Board. would ask favor to name the
mittee. Lot it consist OF three five Aldermen. or
any other number. would name the committee
Alderman Roberts. Alderman Morris. Alderman Per-
10y, Alderman Finck and Alderman Keenan,. That is
all desire to say on the subject"
The remarks OF Mr.. Haughton were listened to
with marked attention. and he was warmly congratu-
lated by his friends ON his course. His object in