New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-24
A PROTEST FROM MAYOR GRANT
THE CABLE RAILWAY BILL As A.

ACT OF sPoLIATION.
Albany April % (spccian-MayOr Grant Of New
York had Tammany Hall representatives. submit TO
the senate and Assembly oday a rcmonstrance against
Assemblyman Brady's Gable Railway bill. authorizing
The New York Gable Railway Company TO take fifty
miles of the streets Of New York. is high time that
such remOnstrancc was presented to the Legislature
since enough Gable Railway stock, apparently. has
been scattered among the Assemblymen TO pass the
bill Mayor Grant in his rcmonstrancc says
Tho argument advanced that this particular scheme is
esscnal 30 the demands Of people FOR increased railway
facilities is unsound and usory Two methods now exist
by which such demands may be satisfied. Under the
Rapd Transit Act OF 1t Is open Nifty househodcr'
and taxpayers in this city any time to apply to hf
MAYOR for the appointment Of 1--WE commissioners TO de-
tcrmne upon the necessity Of steam railway or railways
transportation Of passengers. mails or freight.
IL thereupon b,comes his duty make the appointment
and II such commissioners determine that the necessity
exists they are authorized TO lay out the routes and
organize company for the purpose o, operating the road
Under this such additional elevated railways as
may be needed in this city can be constructed except
upon hooughars az are expressly excepted by the
act Under the General Surface Railway act provision
Is made organization Of street surface railways
Tho Of this bin therefore not needed to
supply this city with the means OF securing rapid uans'
or any additional facilities for street transportation ana
the argument which attempts supply public reason for
this legislation is Therefore without support But there IL
further and serious objection 10 this bill Should u
law would prove formidable obstacle TO tho
formulation and execution Of comprehensive scheme oil
rapid transit. which there i srca. need in this city
which is receiving my best consideration Tho
large number OF routes involved in tho cable
comIanys system through some OF the most important
and thoroughares in this city would be urged as
establishing preferential claim by that company for their
construction and which would seriously ada 70 inc
difficulties already attending tho solution OF this difficult
problem II is not claimed that the cable system VIII give
people rapid transit in the sense IN which ~ under
stood in this city II can therefore serve only md'
by claims in favor Of the cable system upon
thoroughfarss the which would be essential N tho
structures either elevated Underground which would
be required for system OF rapid tansit adequate To tho
needs OF public For this reason. II for no other The
public interests vigorous protest against this
proposed law.
But there in THE bill which seem intended
to provide for cNpan- o: tho powcrs Of his 'ofpo
ra)n wcuG make the latter Of the largest most
valuable aud dan monopo". IN the STAT. Vt 'y
does il apparently lcgaze very large nun Der routes
established violation % the prohibitions contained IN the
Rapid Transit Act AMI which IL n all other corporations
organized under il. Will continue Ia force. but It
sanctions changes plan and extensions Of routes by the
Common Council without the safeguards Of preliminary
preserves ~Iuiout rst1coh INC sJtcats Or
avenues which be used for this purpose. Should
bill become law. the Ncw-York Gable Railway COMPANY
vi" possess po'cniialty Of almost indefinite expansion
1hs; private corporation should gain the control
over large part 81 the streets and u great c!ty
Ike this with the powers Of expansion Whch the
ti> would seem 70 authorize the
interests OF the community contrary policy Of
the State.
That IL j. proposed 10 secure the passage Of bill con.
ferrng these extraordinary and except ona power. and
franchises or benefit II but cooperation
OILY upon such reckless di,gcsaf Of the dictate sound
Legislative policy well o. the constitutional rights O,
The i~ol le a. Z, justify most vigorous resistance.
grca: Ilat.on, In IT, oNoFt grasI extensive
powers and obtain from the public franchises
value without adequate compensation IA Tctnin has
reached itself and failed through disregard u the laws Of
the STATE. Its promoters have for year. been appealing -
the Legislature for corporate lie confirmation u tho
privileges they attempted secure their effort. have
far been successfully resisted. What seems 10 BE- a
final and supreme effort Is being made
has been often denied. have therefore, 70 be
my duty present matter FOR your consideration
fully .hc o, such this would
admit believe that public opinion in this city uo.i
strongly opposed to thr revival q, this schcmc which
cited time 1t initiated widespread feeling u
protest and indignation. Franchises 81 enormous
value that their worth i computs i only millions
lars T. be bestowed upon this private corporation
practically git a. the percentage the
ccpts proposed 70 be given j. utterly mad quato conpon
sston For this reason, II here were others. shouts
feel my duty oppose this measure but con.
bned with the other objections I have urged inn
pressed with conviction that tho duties o, tho Office
MI greater responsibility that under which
stcnuoGsy resist the accomplishment Of scheme
which seriously inpcr!s the most important interests
o. the million and ha d people who nhaht This city
and which only be My characterized proposed
o, spoatlon. HUGH J. GRANT. Mayor.