The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-16
sTATEN ISLANDERs EXCITED.
The Police Interfering In a Meeting About the
Proposed New Island.

A curlously mixed assembly met in the
Village Hall OF New Brighton. Staten Island.
last night. TO protest against tho proposed island
on Robbins Reef. and To take such action as
might bo deemed necessary 10 prevent its con-
struction. Many OF the wealthcst residents of
Staten Island were present. and tho working
men were we'll represented. The room was
thronged. and when Mr.. Whttemore read the
call it quickly became evident that a very large
number Of the persons present wero not in
sympathy with the objects Of the meeting.
Mr.. Daniel Dempsey was. in a very Informal
way. elected temporary chairman, md Mr..
Prentice. Clerk of the village OF New Brighton.
at once denounced Mr., Dempsey rs a man who
had como there to disturb the meeting. and
who had packod II with on-property holders
who were not opposed 10 the construction Of
the island. Mr.. Prentice was called TO order
after he had pronounced the Chairman's action
Mr. Dwight Townsend ex-membcr Of Con.
gress said that the gentlemen, who had called
tho meeting should not be afraid Of dis 'uss ,on;
The Chairman said that after he had organized
the meeting he would quit the room. but il WINS
not easy to secure the organization. When Mr.
Whttemore WIS proposed as permanent Chair
man. tho motion was defeated by an over
whelming vote from tho men in the rcnr Of tho
room, who were without their coats. Mi. Prem
tice objected to the votes Of those men being
counted. because ho snd, they were not there
by invitation or in accordance with the call
some OF those men. he said. were residents OF
New York. and he appealed TO them to 20 away
and not concern themselves about things in
which they could have no interest.
INT l.. y. Moore one Of the incorporators OF
the bill for the construction of the island, spoke
amid great confusion. everybody standing up.
and many getting on the benches and applaud
ing furiously. Tho disturbance at last became
so great that the police had 10 interfere aud
force tho men to take their seNts. Mr. Moore
said he would read tho bill II II took him all
summer" but Mr.. Prentice again got the floor.
ami spoke until Mr. Moore got on his feet. and.
amid shouts Of Order" from one side Of the
hall and Go on" from the other, said he was
not going 10 be cut of in the height OF an ar
Eument
Finally, despite all opposition. Mr.. Moore read
the bill as well as set Of resolutions approving
the construction Of the island, and asking GOV.
Robinson to sign IT, The resolutions were
passed. The men who had called the meeting
had nearly all gone ont while Mr.. Moore was
the objection that ms the meeting had not been
organized no resolutions could b' egtimately
passed. He was greeted with icers and shouts
Of derision. and the obJector and others passed
out.
An entirely different meeting was then organ
tied. and Mr. Dwight Townsend spoke in favor
OF the bill. and snid that. by the eternal
heavens" no handful Of men, with roses in
thoir hats and bouquets In their buttQnholes
had right to meet in that hall and act as
though they owned Staten Island
Mr.. Moore read the following. which. he said
was a telegram sent by Mr. Humphries. editor
OF the Richmond County Sentinel, to Gen. Sharp
in Albany:
Defeat the Robbins Reef bill. and we will give Rich
mOnd County to the Republicans next fall