The New York herald., 1879-07-30
RAPID TRANSIT.
How Mr.. Jerome Created a Sensation
at a Melr0se Meeting.
EXPLAINING HIS POSITION
He Protests Against the Pro-
posed New Routes.

Rapid transit meetings, like all convocations for
the discussion of great economic questions. not
noted for sensatonalism, and it was expected that
that called for last night, in Central Hall. Mel
rose, would be no exception to the general
rule. This expectation rewarded with q
most agreeable disappointment, for probably
more interesting meeting has not been
held since the agitation for rapid transit began
than that called to order last night by Mr.. Alonzo
Carr. Ever since the present Commissioners of
Rapid Transit made their report the rumor has been
industrously circulated that Mr.. Jerome and num-
Der of gentlemen owning real estate in large tracts
in the upper wards instrumental in
having the routes reported adopted by
the Commissioners. At a meeting held
on Monday night much was said by certain
speakers. and the public announcement seemed to
nally settle the question of the influence that had
been at work behind the commission. So settled
was this belief that last night when Mr.. Leonard
W. Jerome appeared at Central Hall he
| expected to defend the action of the COM
mission. When. however, he took the floor and
openly pronounced against the report, the astonsh
| ment and enthusiasm of the people great and
he was frequently interrupted with loud applause.
His sentiments were unlike what the people, mis-
led by rumor. had expected that veriable sensation
resulted.
MEETING.
Mr.. James r. Angel. prominent citizen Of the
annexed district opened the meeting by stating that
the purpose in issuing the call had bring to-
gether all the citizens whose rights and con-
venience affected by the late report
and get from them an expression Of their
opinions in regard to the matter. Further
than this it proposed to hear and entertain sug
gestions concerning what should be done in the
premises With this brief statement of the objects
of the meeting and with the hope that all the pro-
ceedings would be conducted in an orderly manner
Mr.. Angel consigned the meeting into the hands Of
the gentlemen present.
The meeting organized with Alonzo Carr
preside MT Messrs Nicholson, Purdy and Brenner as
vice presidents and Mr.. d. D. Randall as secretary
| Mr.. Randall read the call for the meeting and Mr..
called the meeting together plainly before those
present, the following resolutions. which car
ried:-
Resolved That rapid transit roads, constructed upon
such T routes ute as will best the
solute to the growth and prosperity of the
EssoIyed That greatly the ssmDlis.tions
the commission honesty Of purpose endeavorng
shsh sfsSs in rss 1ssG
the Third or na, odam ma, r syoas as no
Bridge the great az ma natural artery Of local travel for all
citizens would at become the patrons Of rapid
transit road throu Ii and along such
such road would certan once, under
proper and liberal management remuneratve to its
Resolved That without rapid transit road along and
srson of p ss s %
tric would be practically useless nearly the whole of
Resolved, That while would encourage tho eonstruc
of annexed territory wherever capital may be
70 build the same we ppsitvey and nncompro
ao"s Or fordSam avenue from marie% River north-
Resolved That we firmly construction an
Fordham avenue entirely practicable that capital
Invested therein would be secure and profitable and
Resolved, That experience of thirty has taught
Company continuance Of its extortions and disposition
pRSspa Rseovsa % That IT. the Harlem Bridge, Horrisana and
m itself either M any
people although has been aided by and
Rosased That committee five be appointed by the
a IN Hsss !" ouSe Of
city of New York and to take such action will lead to
Third the first demand of people in that
MR. FULLERs SPEECH.
Mr.. Lawson N. Fuller being called upon. addressed
had to say would be mere repetition of the
experiences of many among his hearers. He had
YEARS. YEARS. s ' the M upper more end Of Manhattan
island. and had. during that time. seen
many changes in the method of transportation to
the city. He told with quaint humor how often he
had gone down town in a Third avenue car, taken
his lunch with him and finished 1t on the way; of
how many times he had taken two three good long
maps the trip up town. "In fact" he said, IL
think that IL q calculation of the thing were
made it would be found that in the twenty five years
preceding rapid transit spent about seven years in
the Third avenue cars. Speaking of the Wander
bilts. who said to bo ut the bottom of this
commissions report. Mr.. Fuller very caustic.
He told how, before the late Mr.. Vanderbilt as
sumed of the Hudson River road fares to the
| ri
MIR. Vanderbilt on assuming control immediately
this he shortened the route from Chambers street
to Thrtieth street, and then made his passengers
pay extra five cents from Thrticth street to the
old depot down town. To this policy OF hunger.
he said the backwardness Of the north.
western section Of Manhattan Island was
paralyzed the district and II he was allowed to gel
hold rapid transit in westchester county he would
do the thing. He warned his hearers against
the fate OF all the once promising villages on the
Harlem road that had been made untenabe to the
tant fares charged by Mr.. Vanderbilt on tina,
road. He could not bring himself, he said
to charge corruption against the gentlemen com
posing the commission, but it pain to him that
they had been hoodwinked and captured by some
one in the Vanderbilt interest He thought that tho
people of the annexed district should protest against
the routes proposed and insist on having the road
built along Third avenue. The si.5oo.ooO capita
OF the company, he said. would all be absorbed
was proposed to build the road II the Third ave
, Third or foriham avenue all this expense would be
saved AID the road would be in operation in sis
months.
ANGELS REMARKS.
, Mr.. Angel followed Mr.. Fuller. He spoke in nc
measured terms of the audacity OF the gigantic
poration that had tor years retarded the growth
of Westchester county seeking now to control its
rapid transit franchises and deny It boon lonl
sought and of accomplishment. He besough,
his hearers to stir up their friends to a Of the
real danger that mpended While he still speak
ing Mr. jerome walked into the place and buzz OF
comment went around the hall. When Mr.
Angel concluded Mr.. Jerome addressed the
CHAIR and requested that the resolutions
which he had not heard, be read again. Mr.. Ange
read the resolutions Having listened attcntively
; tho reading, Mr.. Jerome asked permission to say