New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-07
OPPOSITION TO THE VANDERBILT LINE.

DR. CRosBY's APPEAL TO HIS COMMANDMENTS
TRUCUoS or FOURrn-AyE. PROPERTY WITHOUT
RrCoMPENsE TO TuE OWNERS.
The Rev. Dr. Howard Crosby, pastor of the
Fourth Avenue ana nty-secOnd Street Presby
Church. called the attention of .s congregation ycstcr-
day morning before his Sermon to the proposed Fourth
Avenue Railroad that mas caused much discussion Of
late and spoke strongly against it, 1t Is not Often
said DR. Crosby that speak similar questions. for
they should, think, be kept away from the pulpit.
There are certain duties however that have to rer
form As citizens one OF the greatest dangers that
threaten that those whom have elected 10 gov
ern and protect may legaze the destruction OF our
constitutional rights In hs city there is now great
danger of special form Of this evil since 1t Is possible
that the rulers Of the city lcgisatc against the ct
zcns We threatened with proposed elevated rail-
road hat shall run directly by church. and which il
built VIII De . robbery of the church without the least
rproupusc II the authorities grant 10 the Harlem
Railroad Company the nght to build elevated road
down Fourth-Iye., work will be begun Immediately, and
before the coming Winter trains Will be running by our
doors and the cAurch will be shut up. We object to this
no. because IL will incOmmode rs, but because
n dclriyes us Of constitutional rights
without granting any adequate compensation.
For the church properly VIII thereby be
rendered absolutely worthless. Several meetings OF
those interested this matter have bee" held, aud II
has been decided that petitions against the proposed
~" circulated, lhal Wbch sSitu D' tue
properly owners along the proposed line cs.ees of prop
cry ana those interested IN The church property, they
should b. sent 10 the Common Council In order that they
may be considered by that body at the fitting tune.
Zach OF our trustees has such cory of petition, and
one may De found the yts;iDuc at the close Of the
service, where AL who desire may sign H. II l. 10 be
hoped by the united action OF the churches the
proposed route, the Young Mems Christian Association,
Inc Academy Design, and those otherwise interested
in Fourth-tye AMI dfycttc-piac3 properly, shall
be- able stop this most atrociOus outrage the rights
Of citizens
Ina conversation the close OF the morning service
Dr. Crosby said There seven churches on this pro-
posed route all OF which would be- rendered almost
Worthless ts elevated railroad j. built. Then again.
along the line there many public buildings, s:ch
the great libraries the Young Mems Christian AssDcia
non Binding and the Bible House, where absolute quiet
necessary order % enable those VINO frequent THESE
places pursue their reading ana stuy with comfort
and profit our idea rs 10 interest IN this matter AL who
property directly or Indirectly along tne proposed
route order tnat FUurtlave next Ia FlftldNc, the
finest avenue the city, may be kept free from ell
eyated railroad. Our nights citizens tstake IN
this matter"
After the service the petition, the leading points OF
which were prnted In TIE TRIBUNE some ums ago, was
signed by large number oi the congregation. This
morning canvass OF the proposed route VIII be begun
signatures OF property To the petition.