New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-09
THE PROCEEDINGS.

,,onnuyring to the Street Committee, winch was
believed 10 favor the Vanderbilt project Tor roau
from the Grand Central Depot to the City Hail.
This committee was instructed to hold public meet
gs and give notice that persons desiring TO OPP
- the road could be heard. The committee has
-, held any public meeting taken any public
ton an the subject. 1t was believed by many that
g was the purpose of the committee to hold the sub
loot in allowance until the storm of public indigna-
don had blown over, when it was hoped TO have
tra Board take favorable action on the proposed
rtss This plan If such a one had been formed,
yas entirely oyoltlrOwn yesterday protest from
the Academy of Design against theproposed fourth
Avenue Line was read and referred to the Cominil-
T.. on streets, when Alderman Haughton rose ana
said: Il would like to ask if the Committee on
s.reets. 70 whom this whole subject was referred
has made any report" 1t has not" Tepheu 'no
president. CID.
10 discharged from further consideration of the
matter"
This motion was evidently made with the knowl-
EDGE Of ONLY few members who sat near Alderman
Haughton, and it Immediately attracted tine close
attention of the Board. Much surprise was mani
tested at the motion and the opponents of the Van
derbit road were afraid it might be the intention
10 discharge the committee and pass the scheme:
Aldermen Roberts and Norris the two principal
opponents, thought that would be the result OF the
motion.
Alderman Morris said hope the committee
will not be discharged, Mr. President, rs the public
las been piven to understand that sufficient notice
would be given that all persons interested could
be heard on the subject"
SERIOUS CHARGE.
Alderman Sauer who is a member of the Street
Committee and is supposed TO be the chief advo-
cate in the Board of the new Vanderbilt scheme
said "Mr. President, give notice that If that mo-
ton is pressed will expose the mover OF 1t and
those who vote with him for the motion" Flourish
ing his right hand menacingly at Alderman
Haughton, the speaker continued YOU'RE gov
erned by consideration, and you know itP
Alderman Morris then said; After hearing Al
derman Sauers speech l am satisfied with the pur-
pose of Alderman HaughtOns motion, and With
draw all opposition to IT,"
The attack made upon Alderman Haughton by
Alderman Sauer created considerable cOmmOtion In
the room, and was in no wise relshed by the oppo-
ucnts of Vandcrbilfs scheme, who intended to vote
10 discharge the committee. As soon as Alderman
Sauer sat down, Alderman Haughton jumped up ex-
citcdlv and said; /" made this motion in perfect
good faith and propose to stand by it and force
vote on it, and dare Mr. Sauer TO make any insnu-
atons against my character"
Alderman Sauer, inteTruDtiug IL know whatyou
are doing this for you're doing it for a cOnsdera-
ton. and know it, and can prove it. You know as
well as do what your motives are; and L repeat
that you are doing this for consideration" which
latter remark he again repeated III kissing tone as
he sat down.
ALDERMAN ROBERTs's REPLY.
Alderman Haughton seemed to be astOnished by
che charge and seeing the intense feeling of anger
which characterized the whole bearing of his OPP
ponent, he smiled and gave way to Alderman
Roberts, who asked TO be heard Oh the matter He
SAID: 81 have been member of this
Board for upward of a year and half,
and have served IN other legislative bodies;
but i'm all my experience as a public ethcer l have
never heard any language uttered against a MEM
Der Of any deliberative body such has just been
uttered by Alderman Sauer, without some action
being taken to investigate the truth falsity of
fhe charges made. The charge made by Alderman
Sauer cannot be allowed to pass unnOtced. Alder
man HaugltOn must take cognlzance of 1t, alike IN
his own interest and that of the other members of
tie Board concerned. The gentleman who has
made this serious charge cannot let the matter drop.
He owes it to himself and to Mr.. Haughton
to prove what he has said. have always opposed
mouopolies Of every kind, and do not change my
position in regard to this proposed monopoly. These
nouopolies are simply robbng machines that strip
the citizen Of everything he has. 1t IS the highest
yet what do we see in this ctyi Acts of spolation
that cannot be paraeled elsewhere in the civilized
world The property of the citizens cOniscated for
the benefit of corporation. The vested rights of the
pIopcrty-owncrs in the public streets taken from
them and given to corporations We have seen the
streets thus given away, and the people Of this city
despoled Of their rights, and have made no effort
TO aid them. When the proposition was first
brought before Us toconstruct new rapid transit
road below the Harlem River, l stated my objec-
tiOns clearly possible. 1t was said at the time
that had been made to have the report
Of the commissioners adopted without debate, and
without allowing hearing TO the property-owners
and others who would be affected. Afraid that such
plans had been perfected, | used my influence 10
have the matter laid over until some future time.
Ii was referred 10 the Committee on Streets, aud
instruction was given that the public be allowed a
hearing. And now, having explained my position,
Iwil retarn to this charge made against a member
of this Board. trust the charges are not true
indeed, don't think they could be truthfully made
against any Alderman Nevertheless an investigation
should be ordered. / don't want it TO 20 abroad
that any corrupt measures have been used TO de-
feat this new road to insure its Endorsement by
this Board i don't want TO cast my vote to-day,
because don't want it said that have been APP
preached by any corporation monopoly. An i'll
yesigatOn should be had, though done want to
make a motion to that effect"
Alderman HaughtOn (nterrupting)-" will move
that committee be appointed at the proper time"
Alderman Roberts" The gentleman shows his
good sense in taking that course. The mo
ton to have the Committee on Streets
discharged from the consideration of such an i'm
portant matter made at this time, may be said to
have suspicious look. Sufficient time has not been
given 10 the committee TO consider the subject. j