New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-01
RAPID TRANSIT SCHEMES.

sTRUCTRD-ACTIUN or TIE BROOhL1N OO''i'''
COUNCIL.
The officers of the churches and the prominent
pnbc institutions situated on the route of the pro-
posed elevated railroad through fourth-aVe' anu
Iafavette-place to the City Hall are indignant al
the work of the Rapid Transit Commissioners. Inc
Rev. DR.. Washburn rector of Calvary Church. eX-
presses strong opinions on the subject and says the
scheme will be uncompromisIngy opposed. Inc
Manhattan Company is pushing ITS improvements az
Chatham-square and on the West Side Line OF the
New-York Elevated Road. In Brooklyn the COM
mon Council has adopted the routes OF the hlhgS
Comfy Elevated Railroad Company in spite OF the
Mayors Veto
ATAIK WITH THE REV. DIR. WASI1BURN.
HIS VIEWS IN REGARD TO MIR. vASDERBILTs LINE
TRAFFIC. NOT THE ONLY RIGHT OF RESIDENTS
OF NEw-YORK.
The Rev. DR.. Z. 4. Washburn, rector OF Cal
vary Church. at Fourth-aye. and Twenty-hrsst IL was
announced intended to make the Fourth-aye. RAPID
transit scheme and its moral aspects the SUBJECT oI MS
Sunday morning sermon This he did not do however.
Being asked If such had been his intention he sadi
al should been eager preach this subject as
deeply affecting the Christian rights and Interests
OF ctizrus but hot weather has taken 80 many
of nv parshoners out Of town that my views would
have been addressed almost to empty pcws. think
matter In which every clergyman should speak IN the
boldest and frankest way TO the public"
How DO sou regard the action OF the Rapid Transit
Commlss,nerst'
81 have nothing to say as To the motives OF those VINO
approved the plan. can only judge by facts. learn
that WAS not in any the wish design Of MAYOR
Cooper when this Commission appointed. to offer
plans that IL should concern tsef with any such rail-
road through the heart OF the city Yet find that
the first scheme made public IA this along FOurti-lyc
It's thrust upon at time when the summer heat
has driven Into the country FARCE part Of the residents
who might be looked to defend the rights of the pub
lie II is urged at the Board Of Aldermen and
might b, carried through AZ any moment with hardly an
opportunity Of rcmonstrance. This scheme Is plainly
ana oucnIy i'm the interest the rich Harlem Ralrad
CORPORATION. whatever, therefore, the reputation OF
those concerned in the scheme, they Will naturally be
subject suspicion that they nave been Influenced
by something than pure love Of the public good
We all know the power of rich corporations ana the ease
with which they make tools to carry out ans scheme
at their will"
Glow In your opinion would the. realization Of the
scheme affect the interests OF the churches y Ihe IN
Jury would be vast and absolutely beyond remedy u
"a essential TO worship that there should be quiet and
ORDER but this scheme utterly destroys this. CHRIS
tian citizen has much right TO the privilege OF quiet
worship as corporation to It's traffic. The churches
which may be invaded some Of the most Important
in this city There are seven OF them representing
various communOns. 1t Is probable that most OF tnem
would be so affected by the noise and disorder OF the
q
that they would be Obliged TO remove. The large
amount OF wealth invested IN these churches would bc
so IMPAIRED ms to occasion very serious loss to ne
holders Of the property | speak, OF course, with a
strong personal interest in Calvary Church, but my III
forest Is with that Of all other churches II The love
religions feeling IN the city, then New-Nork may we'll
blush for shame Perhaps II may De sag srd dna'
Let not the public be cajocd hy any tuch
djsouees Tge men who Will outrage Christian rights
liA- a Sc
f'om making money on ths Lords day Give tncm The
thin edae Of The wedge and they will split all religious
rights 10 pieces IN q very short time
"What 10 you think OF the moral side Of the ques-
- think the whole scheme the grosscst violation Of
the personal and sacred rights OF Nevlork citizens;
should engage IN IT, ana shall be sun more amazed If
the citizens do not rcDuhc the wrong IN tho strongest
us there any excuse for the proposed railroad on be-
| half II the pubic good Z"
Tits believe the convection of large part Of orr
best residents that have now al the means OF Tapd
transit needed for public convenience II II not So
it would still DE most serious question whether Tor any
reasons of traffic such route should be chosen, ~ 80
great cost properly ana interests yet higher than
property But there can ne no snduo" OF su,n
here. We NAV justify by necessity the elevated IOHis
near the extent that this newly proposed route would
and purB mostly through region OF SHOPS I'7uc ne
curchfs IL WOuld iniure the Academy OF Design, the
College Of Physicians and Surgeons the Young Mems
Christian Association Building, the B'lc House. the
Mercantile Library and the Aston Library. .
az nad been designed I'm pure malice,o moose mat
part the whore most damage could be done Wllu
The smallest space, other spot, save tntlaFe' cOuu
| have been selected for worse outrage.
m not easy say Low now far we can defend our
right, against the UOWcr of corporation Whch eau Duy
men and make tools al iis will Bun we snail .5sl by
every legal method and by strong appeal 10 ih' JUS
cc IS Wrl real interest OF the cy. our cause u
In the hands OF able lawyers, ana has already ems ed
the sympathy oil our best citizens our man dlfhculy
Il that must fight the battle In midSummeri Dut we.
shall watch yi-lauty aud are confident that Justice
and tine conscience OF the CITY VIII prevent the
outrage. meeting, believe, VIII shortly be held OF
toe Committee Streets, TO whom tue matter has been
referred by the Board Of Aldermen. AT THAI meeting
tne Institutions have mentioned VIII urge thelI rEte
and able VII appear charged 90 defend them Inc
result VIII decide whether the citizens OF Ncw-Iork are
slaves the uf our muntyed cOFboTatlOns ana
money hIHg,, are still IN possess on OF any nEnts
whatever | mold that The dangerous class Of this cry
Is not 10 be found wholly III such places rs the rive
Points, hut represented IN these vast combinations Oh
| ..lLLI L. IL II l.NI.