New-York tribune., 1886-02-26
on BROADUAY.

have watched the efforts of various people
for the twenty years to keep railway of Broad
way such people exist to-day but are actuaed by very
different from those Of the original opponents
OF course everybody will remember the opposition OF A.
T. Stewart, who time offered million, then two
million dollars for franchise with proyiso
that he would not be required build street railway
on Broadway. lie made this proyso solely because he
thought 1t would ruin the business OF the street Of
course such an error would be admitted by
Mr. Stewart His heirs, however, have admitted
II and advocated the present road Actual events
have already demonstrated Mr.. Stewards error.
The elevated railways and carried trade from
every part OF way below Fourteenthst and car
red II on that part OF Broadway above Foureenthst
TO much higher points uptown. The present seventh
Avenue and Broadway Railroad got into Broadway
above Fourteentn-st solely because Broadway above
that point was out-oi-the- region at that times
but the fact Of railroad being there built that part Of
the city up It injured lower Broadway TO some extent
when the elevated railways buiIt either side OF
Broadway. all that part OF it below Fourtsenth-st nat
uray suffered In consequence The previous opposition
was natural Men days did not believe in the
extraordinary development OF New-York. Now they
recognize It. and their opinions are changed.
In city OF the peculiar conforma-
tion Of New-York-all length aud breadth
people going shop only where there are convenient
means OF reaching the localities Men sleep every night
above Central Park hut they business around Wall
bt.t
;wo points of the local cOmpassthe north and south
ends OF New-YOrk.
suppose there are very grave moral why the
Senate Investigating Committee should lind out who OBJ
ained franchise of the Broadway road and how II
there any corruption IL ought to be exposed But
every business point OF view the road osght TO
have been built long ago. The demand for IL cran
fest. The seventh Avenue Road had line through
Broadway's entire length north of Four
th-sf nd CirrultOus
TO City Hall That circutous route was
drawback the line, and the minute secured direct
line down Broadway the seventh Avenue road became
an immensely valuable propertyso valuable that IL at
the capital OF other cities, which came here to
invest in what apparently most profitable enter
prise. The local proprietors sold out for reasons
best known themselves But TO all appearance the
investment the Philadelphia people. as far As can
understand IL, is perfectly Legitimate enterprise
Certainly nobody Jake" Sharp In control Of any
railroads In tins city He Is old man, confirmed
In his ways oi management ana cannot be depended
upon 10 introduce any improvements In
railroad management But why should that debar
New-York from the advantages which may from
the Introduction OF a system which has been i'm
msnsely successful IN other cities as Tor instance,
Chicago aud Philadelphia There Is no question In any
bOdys mind that railroads conducted In Philadelphia
immensely superior TO those We have In this city.
talked yesterday wi b gentleman whom know to
be very familiar with all the facts involved in this con-
troyersy which the Senate investigation has raised. He
tells the Philadelphia people have demonstrated the
Immense value OF their system to Philadelphia They
have very large capital aud they seeking for in
vestments OF 1t here and elsewhere also One perfectly
legitimate method the purchase OF the controlling
interest In the Broadway and seventh Avenue Railroad
and for the life can't understand why they should
not be allowed to invest That they have secured
good investment is beyond any doubt That their con-
troll OF the superior to the odfashoned ways OF
Jacob sharp AID his gang think every Philadelphia
would Acknowledge and | think every New-Yorker
will after they have put il in force here. AT any rate
the Broadway railroad Is a necessity now. To stop II
for one day would be simply TO raise riot in New-iork
We ought glad IL out OF the hands OF sharp
and don't know any reasons yet why we should not
like 10 see it hands Of the Philadelphia people,
who have made such of the transfer system In
that city.
"Mr stewards opposition to railroad cost Broad way
many millions he offered for the franchise, said
a prominent Broadway retail dealer ale not only
owe business uptown and recognized the fact by fol-
lowing II to Tenn.st but he made opening for the
elevated railroads which did him ncacuable injury
he had lived would before ths have turned HE resi-
drvy ia haZA