New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-19
WHAT BROOKLYN TALKS OF.
MEN AND MATTERS ON THE LONG ISLAND
u. SIDE OF TIE EAST RIVER.

well as Alderman and State Senator, and displayed
marked aptitude for public affairs. He was a man of
much intelligence. clear and logical thinker and
ready and fluent debster. When in the Board Of Alder
men, dozen years ago, he was easily the leading
member when he to his feet II was always be
csnse he had something to say, and everybody knew
that he Would say II in lucid manner and without
those infactions Of the English language which rem
dcred the flights Of oatoy OF most Of his colleagues
so painful TO listen to- In the Senate he maintained
the reputation which he won Alderman. Oh
recent years he had withdrawn himself from active
politics far oficeholding is concerned, although
his interest in the welfare of his party was Keen 10
the last. After studying law for time early IN lie
he to the decision that he better fitted Tor
business career, and his eminent success shows that
judged wisely though there little doubt that with
his cast Of mind he would have made mark at the
bar had he decided upon that profession. As presi
dent of the Peoples Trust Company, winch once he
held at the time OF his DEATH he believed that he was
filing his true mission in nfe and his death VIII be
severely felt by that young but prosperous concern
Unfortunately there are too few Democrats like Mr.
Murtha. II has surprised some observers that
a man OF such strong character and such
marked individuality could have been active In
Brooklyn politics for many years and yet never
have come in conflict with "Boss' Mclaughlin
II is evident that Mr. Mclaughlin must have respected
Mr.. Murtha too highly and had too much regard for
MS great ability to antagonze him The tribntes
m the very prime OF llfe have been many and de-
served Indeed. it would be difficult to eulogize him
unduy. OF high principle, warm heart, ire
proachable character and more than common ability
has passed away The attendance at his funeral yes
terday showed the high place which he held in the
hearts of a multitude Of his fellow-ctizens
The Bridge trustees do unexpected things. Last
Monday they suddenly sprung the public plan to
make the promenade free They have no authority to
order this their own account, as they found out
when they made an attempt to do the same thing in
1854 so they passed resolution directing their coun
sci to prepare bill giving them power to make the
promenade free after June and to transmit it 10 the
legislature. Under ordinary circumstances 1t would
take lawyer at least week to draw up such meas
tre The surprise caused by the action of the trustees
was considerable increased when on Thursday-only
three DAYS dater-Senator Jacobs introduced the bill
which the trustees wanted passed, and succeeded In
sending Ii through the Senate. The issue seems to
show that the bill had been drawn in advance OF the
trustees meeting on Monday. 1t IS unfortunate, TO
say the least that in the preamble to the resolutions
on this subject there was something that smacked Of
false representations. This stated that 1t appeared
from an inspection OF the accounts showing the earn
ngs and cost of the maintenance and operating of the
foot bridge during the year ending November 30, $780,
that the expenditures In excess of the receipts to
the amount of $50 94" The fact is, as Mr. Barnes
pointed out the cost of the tickets for the prone
made and the collection of them is about $4,000 year.
while the receipts from the promenade are about
$4,000 leaving a clear profit Of $4,000. The
amount given in the preamble aforesaid includes the
cost of policing the promenade, which plainly ought
not 10 be counted in.
In all probability it will require more policemen
rather than fewer to maintain order with free bridge
than under the existing system. Great crowds are likely
TO be attracted to the promenade on occasions ana
large force will be required to keep them in order ana
To keep them moving. Nobody wants to see a repe
tton OF the lamentabe accident which resulted from
the panic OF 1888, when the Bridge had not Deeh
open week and il cannot be denied that there VIII
be danger Of such thing If all are admitted to
the Bridge in the event of big fire or pageant on
the water Then too, loafers will be apt to hock
there TO the diFgust and annoyance of decent travel
es 1t is hardly fair yet to say that the true way
Of dealing with the Bridge is to make it free to all per
sons except those who travel in the ears-at Is 10
treat II as if It were city street. Taking Its great
cost into consideration 1t to me moro JUST 10
compare it. say, with o hugh work like the Croooh
Aoueduct The fact that the taxpayers bear the eX-
pense of that work is not good reason Tor aDoShus
Croon water rates and giving everybody In the city
free water 1t tue that the receipts from tho Buee
footak are not great enough be item OF serious
consideration. 1t is practically free now-reguiar
travellers buying twenty-five tickets for hVe cents
and the nominal toll charged simply serves to Keep II
free from crowds and disorderly persons
The prospects for legislation in favor of the Eastern
District bridge have frightened wonderfully during
the week What Joseph ]. O'DOnohue's sensations
were on Thursday, when the sullivan bill was paSsed
by the Assembly by an immense majority, may Dc
better imagined than described, This Dill Is SUD
stantay the Birkett Uhlmann bin revived so there Is
no need of explaining its provisions. Mr. O'Donome
must have been canght mapping lie Will bestir him
self in tile Senate when the measure comes before
that branch OF the Legislature. Perhaps he Will be
able 10 exert sufficient influence to prevent its getting
that far The Senate Committee on Commerce and
Navigation at all events is hardly likely 10 reverse
itself or even TO report the without specific
instructions from the Senate itself. The Birkett bill
was defeated by vote of 10 to H. and it is possible
that the scheme in its new form may meet with
greater favor Anyhow, il is 10 be hoped that there
will be a vote upon it in the Senate. The people
OF Brooklyn have declared emphatically in favor Of
the measure. II remains to be seen whether their
interests or those of Mr.. Donoue and his ferry COM
pany are TO be the more highly regarded
On the same day the Assembly also passed the bill
for an East River Bridge Commission, which had
received the approval Of the Senate some days before
If the Sullivan Birkett bill becomes law, there is no
real need Of a Bridge Commission. The purpose OF
the commission is determine upon the necessity Of
further bridges the East River, 70 fix their
location etc No bridge In contemplation except the
which Mr.. Uhlmanns company backed by the
Union Elevated Railroad Company, is planning 10 build
If it can get the right TO do so. Should that right
be conferred the Bridge Commission would have
sinecure it's hands, at least for years. There
can be no harG however, in having such com
mission to provide against future contingencies, though
the people of Brooklyn have not given expression
10 any loud desire for such body
The recent demolition Of the Brooklyn Theatre is fol-
lowed by the announcement that new theatre is TO be
built less than one block distant from the site Of the
one torn down. Beyond doubt there is room for an
other frst-class theatre in Brooklyn. and the site
chosen, In Westinghouse, next to the Postoce, taking
In also part of the Universal store, is perhaps as
good as could be picked out II has the advantage
Of being near the City Hall and near all the lines OF
uayel which converge at that part of the city Speak
Ing Of theatres reminds me that prominent citizen,
wen known in financial clrces said the other day that