New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-01
A DEFEAT FOR THE ELEVATED RAILWAY
THE ASSEMBLY CITIES COMMITTEE TO REPORT
ADVERSELY THE BATTERY PARK BILL


THE ASSEMBLY CITIES COMMITTEE TO REPORT
ADVERSELY THE BATTERY PARK BILL
Mr.. MCLELLAND'S LETTER.
Albany March 81 SpeciaD.-The New-York Elevated
Railway received q knockdown blow to-day-One from
which it will not recover in all probability, for some
time. The blow was given by tile Assembly Cities
Committee and came straight from the shoulder 1t
was fortunate for Charles p. McCelland, the Demo-
cratic leader that he got out Of the ring In time, else
he too would have felt the blow. The committee
held meeting this afternoon and about the first ques-
ton taken up the bill introduced by McCelland,
giving the Park Department power to turn over some
more Of the Battery Park TO the elevated railroad
McCelland went before the committee and opposed MS
own bill. Thereupon by unanimous vote, the COM
mittee decided to report the measure adversely Ihs
kills the BILL unless the railroad company can "in-
ducen majority of the members OF the Assembly 10
vote tomorrow to disagree with the report OF the COM
mittee.
OF course Mr.. McCleand expects the public to pat
him on the back because he got out OF the way ana let
the full force Of the committees blow fall on inc
railroad but when the public learns the facts In the
case he will likely not appear in so heroic hght as
he desires 1t is pretty well understood that inc
committee came TO the conclusion week or more ago
TO report the bill adversely in spite OF the fact tao
the Democratic leader introduced it, WORD 10 thls
effect came TO his ears and he saw at once tlat he
would be placed in a sorry plight before inc worm ii
"N'N ~
the strongest sort of evidence that he was no longer
the leader OF the Democratic majority, and that the
Democrats in the Assembly took this, the first op-
portunity to show him that they would not loo" MIN
longer This being the case, he must ma some meah'
OF getting ont Of the hole. The only way tha0 i'o
coud do So and do 1t at all gracefully, Woud DC Ny
to,nr tbe popuar side Of the question, and writing
letter TO the attorney for the company wthdra"lhs
bs suppor, from the bill. This Mr.. McClelland diq
but Inv a peculiar coincidence, his letter was gwen
ont only an hour or two before the committee met 10
L,u the hill Mr. Butler will doubt see the letter
in the morning papers before he reads IL IN Mr. BIC
Cclland's handwriting
The letter is as follows:
Albany n. Y, March 81 1891.
,.u,os II purer esq., No. III Broadway, New-York.
uv near Sir: have given the subject OF the battery
or extension OF the elevated railway system most care
fI consideration the date OF the Introduction Oh '
hi, for that purpose by have consulted with num-
ho NJ the local authorities OF the city OF rs 10 inc
iom NJ nassng the BILL and have found that those win
whom have consulted not only decline TO- la'oF 'n'
massage Of the BILL that they unqualhedy oppose IT,
You will recall that hesated for consluefdole .l"c
beore consentIng TO Introduce the BILL and wheh uu 80
consent q Tos pon the condition that in no way should
be committed in favor of the passage OF the same. Inc
reservation on my part not on account oil any pes
Doubt as to the OF the proposition TO extend inc
terrna facilities Of the elevated RAILWAY system III 'he
Rottrv Park but as whether the people OF the city OF
Nav York through their chosen representatives. were III
favor OF or against the proposition believe mySei ohd'
tho rapid transit problem never be solved 10 the SS
faction NJ the pcope people themselves are Wiling
IN make sacrifices those who to carry out the dea
Having become satisfied that the people Of the city OF New
York are yet willing to make the concessions or sacr
fees necessary their own comfort and convenience
ha coe IN the conclusion that 1t would not be wise Tor me
10 stem into the and foresta by my action pubic
sentiment in the city NewYork by lending myself to the
massage OF your That 1t would be to the interests OF
the constituency represent to have your bill become
, tha can he little question my people for their
own benefit have no right by legislative enactment
~ hardship or discomfort upon any part OF the popu
lation of the city Of Ndw-York.
have therefore, come to the conclusion that cannot
spnno this BILL and will have TO ask the Cities Committee
either o allow It TO sumber report 1t adversely Yours
, ,ru,v CHAS. p McCLELLAND.