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

tne uranu central Depot 10 tne Clty nan, uiu SO
in perfect good faith. l represent in that motion
the sentiment of 90 out of every 100 inhabitants of
this city. made the motion on my own response
bilIty, and l intend to press it to vote. want
this Board now to set it's seal of condemnation on
that infamous scheme. The people have deluged
this Board with remonstrances against the proposed
road, and it is time we gave heed to them. Who
asked for this road Is ii to he run in the interest
of the citizens is it to be made part of the great
chain of mOnOpolies that now under the control
Of the great monopolist of the agef There does
not seem to be any limit to the impudence of this
man Vanderbilt who, notwithstanding all the
privileges he has got, now tries to take
away from us another of our avenues. l
would teach this man that, if he can buy mp the
Legislature of this State. he cannot do the same
thing with this Board. l did not suppose when l
made this motion that would be attacked, but as
have been, promise TO afford this Board ample
satisfaction at the proper time of the purity of my
motives This fight between the monopOlies and
the people must come sooner or later. and when it
does it will transcend in Importance any political
issues that have ever como up If my colleagues
stand firm hope and trust that we will to-day send
this job back to the Grand Central Depot, where it
originated, and then we Will be able to say
that the power of the people Is greater and
stronger than all of Vanderbilts millions. In re-
gard to the charges made against me, will say that
am as well known as any member OF the Board
and have just as much regard for my reputation.
''My reasons for asking the discharge of the COM
mittee are that the scheme for the proposed ele-
waited road on Fourth-ave. is an infamous one, and
DELAYS are dangerous where rich and powerful cor
porations have to be dealt with, and particularly
where q corporation is powerful as to rule
the Legislature and shape the legislation
of the Commonwealth. The impression has
gone abroad that Vanderbilt is to have a
road through Fourth-ave. at any cost. He cares
not it is sad for the opposition of the people, of
the corporate authorities; the road must be built
in order to satisfy the craving for power and for
tune of the Vanderbilt dynasty, why, MT ffesl,,
dent, can hardly go anywhere on the street thot
am not asked bow much Nanderblt Is 10 give INC
members of this Board for passing fayorahy on his
proposed road. In echo l can even hear them now.
This Is very unpleasant to say the least.
The Committee on Streets has had the mat lat
done nothing Why has 1t not acted promptly and
gwen this Board an opportunity to refqte these
charges and iusinuatiOns 1t has not delayed be-
cause of want of time. Why the committee has
acted in this way is more than can tell, And now
let me allude TO an important and significant fact
Has any man, or any body of men, appeared before
the Mayor or petitiOned this body Tor the con-
stTuction of that road. Not single taxpayer mas
raised bis feeble voice In favor Of it, On the other
hand body of men representing all classes OF peO-
ME appeared before the Mayor the day the report
was made public to protest against the scheme:
Since then numerous delegations and bodies OF
men have entered their protest against the scheme,
Now, because l think 1t time to give ehect 70
this sentiment of my constituents, member OF TINS
Board makes very grave and extraordinary allcga-
tions against me. l want the patriotic member OF
tine Street Committee TO understand that, although
| am poor, l am honest. l want my character
searched from the top TO the bottom and DEFY any
man to find anything against me-. And just there,
i'm the language of the boys, is where L lay over
the common political tricksters who make trade
of politics. NV motion not made for the purpose
of insulting any member of the committee. am
not particular about Office. When IT comes along,
NV own private business, for I've got business to
attend TO- and that is mOrethan some who make pol
tics business can say"
AN INVESTIGATION DEMANDED.
"Aman who makes such charge as that brought
against me, continued Mr.. Haughton, would nat
urally be supposed TO have some proof TO substan-
tiate it, He ought not to attempt to stab my char
aster in this way without full proof to sustain
him. l would like the gentleman to come
ont here now and tell al he knows or
rretepds to know in relation TO what he says. Let
him sustain himself before his colleagues and the
other gentlemen present. The charge has been pub
1iclv made and | think am justified in asking for
publc hearing of the proof, if any such there be-"
The speaker stopped. as if TO give Alderman
Sauer an opportunity to reply, but the latter was
anparenty Ob,vIOus to the searching glances OF his
colleagues. After waiting some ume Alderman
{" And now as | cannot induce the per-
son who made the charges 10 suDstantlate them,
| will give him all the opportunity ne may
desire to do in the future not only ask but IN,
sist upon having committee OF Investigation, ana
ask The privilege of naming as the committee AL
dermen Roberts, Morris, Perley, Fink and Keenan,"
The committee appointed as named 10y Alder
man HaughtOn, although its members are all pollt-
cal opponents and some of them personal enemies.
The committee was empowered TO send for persons
and papers. During his remarks Alderman Haugh-
ton when speaking of making politics mode OF llie
and when referring to political tTcksteTs. faced his
Opponent Sauer but the latter took no notice OF him.
Alderman Sauer in continuing the debate, said
"Ifs unusual thing to move Tor the discharge OF
committee on such short notice 1t was gencr-
ally understood that we would take no action On
The matter until October. | am not committed one
way or the other, but think II would be well TO
sift the matter to the bottom. If the proposition Is
a good one, let us adopt IT. WHAT good VIII IL DO 10
DISCHARGE the cOmmItteef There are 10000 people
who want to be heard on this matter" The speaker
then paused in apparent doubt as to what he should
say next, when he added in low tone, " Of course
don't know whether witnesses could ID got TO prove
uositIve facts in regard TO what SAID, but"
No no." exclaimed Alderman HaughtOn. " that
won't do The charges were publicly made and l
want you to prove them. shall hold you Tespcu-
Il am responsible here OF anywhere else to YOU"
retorted Alderman Saucr.
GENERAL DEBATE
Alderman Shells was the next speaker /" am
not in favor of monopolies" he said. " If there
ever were such they are the elevated roads now i'll
in existence, which charge 10 cents to ride
two blocks even. | see it stated in the
press that Vanderbilt will carry passengers from the
Harlem River to the Battery for cents. If that
be true we want such a road"
Alderman Roberts" l would like to know exactly
what is the object of Alderman HaughtOn i'll asking
for discharge OF the committee. Is 1t to reject the
plan or TO pass 1t y
Alderman Iiaughton- "My object is to move for
a., iagtin nf ne Del are
dangerous" ~
Alderman Shcs-"What does he means by de
L. orc danCerousJ would like to know"