New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-20
A FIGHT OVER NEW BRIDGES.
COUNTRY SENATOR'S MAKE TROUBLE.
Mr.. RICHARDSON'S ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN HIS
CHANGE or ATTITUDE TOWARD THE
BIHKETT BILL-ALL THE MEAS
UpES RECOMMITTED.


BIHKETT BILL--ALL THE MEAS.
URES RECOMMITTED.
IRON THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or The TRiPrS.,
Albany March 19.-The construction of more bridges
scross the East River between New York and Brooklyn
i'm view Of a legislative battle In tho state senate
to-day, will be accomplished only after long conflict
in the Legislature between those interested In the
project.
tween the New.YOIk and Brooklyn Ferry Company
whose officers do not wish any bridges at all to be
constructed the Union Elevated Railway Company
Of Brooklyn, which wishes to build two bridges; ana
the New York and New Jersey Bridge Company, which
hopes to edge its way into the business of constructing
bridges the East River well as over the Aud
River.
The fight between these various "interests' was
of a warm nature. Joseph j. ODonohue, the preSi
dent Of the New York and Brooklyn Ferry Company
witnessed Ii from safe retreat In the Senator's snOh
ingroOm. The ARRAY began with the presentation by
Senator OCOnn0r, OF BIOOme County, OF all adverse
report from the Committee Commerce and Navigation
upon senator Birkctt's bill empowering the Union
Elevated Railway Company 10 build its proposed two
bridges. This adverse report was signed by senator
OCOnnOr, Senator NeddeT, OF CattarauSus county /;
senator Richardson, Of Orange County, ana senator
AhearD, Of New-Iork 1t will be observed that only
one New-York or Brooklyn Senator signed this ao
verse report. A dissenting report was submitted by
ator Stadler, Of New-lork.
senator McCarrcn said that he was astonished at
this adverse report; especially since week ago
senator Richardson of Orange County, had voted In
favor of favorable report, and the bill had been
reported favorably. This was remarkable change
OF attitude by that gentleman.
Senator O'COnnOr sustained the adverse report ana
read to the senate the attack upon the bill made
by Controller Myers. of NewYOrk, yesterday, which
is printed in The Tribune of to-day. Then senator
OConnor argued that the bill was bad one. 1t
did not protect the public. The Union Elevated
Railway Companys bridges were not to be taxed
II permitted the incOrpoIa0rs of the company TO
create construction companies and to build the bridges
without eXpending penny of their own capital. III
his opinion the company should be compelled 10 pay
in onehaf Of its stock before being permitted to begin
the construction of the bridges He believed in bridges
between New-York and Brooklyn. but not in these.
WAS not an amendment made TO this BILL said
Senator Stadler senator OConnOr, requiring TINS
company to pay in least b per cent OF its capital
stock before beginning workl'
There was" replied senator O'COnnOr "but 1t was
not sufficient
al shall have to give Senator O'COnnor the credit
of consistent attitude TO avoid this BILL" said SEN
atOr McCarrcn. lie has opposed 1t at every stage OF
its progress There has been any disguise OF
the fact that this bill was brought here by the Union
Elevated Railway Company, which desires to build
two bridges between New York and Brooklyn in order
10 connect its elevated railway systems. senator
OConnor suggested that the company should he re
CURED to pay in per cent of It's capital ana thlS
amendment accepted In fact we are ready 10
accent any reasonable amendment to the BILL am
surprised that senator OCOnnOr thinks the paldin
capital should be more Who are interested in this
hill in Broome County We are united upon 1t In
Brooklyn | wish senator Richardson to explain why
he has changed front 50 suddenly nave never
known such outrageous and hagrant chahse OF
altitude
Ny motives have been impugned-- sald senator
Richardson, much excited.
81 do not impucn your motives" said Senator Nc
Carren codly Il simply want to know why you
changed front suddenly
We'll. l had not heard the arguments against tho
BILL" said senator Richardson.
Give some more specific reasons" said Senator
McCaren.
"weu.n said Senator Richardson visiby embar
Iassed there the matter Of taxation. The Bridge
Company are not to pay anything for the use OF their
franchise
Is And vet YOU voted for Assembyman Greene's
bn- said senator Roesch, addressing Senator Richard
son. (Which gave a great franchise to the New-lork
and New-Jcrsey Bridge Company; and yet there was
no provision in that bill that the company should pay
the city Of New-York for the use of It's franchise
Il was young to the Senate then" said Senator
Richardson, with an apologize air.
Senator Fassett then attempted to be peacemakef
in this strife Whenever question Of this mighty
are ignorant of its true bearings. We wish to vote
intelgently upon this bill. We are all DESTROYS
that there should be more bridges over the East
River / propose that this bill and the other bills
on bridges be referred TO the Committee on Commerce
and Navigation for another hearing"
Let the bill be debated in the Committee OF the
Whole" said senator stadler.
Name day when this bill shall again be reported"
said senator McCarren. Eve should not send bach
the bill without some sort of an agreement on that
point"
That would be reflection upon Mr.. O'Connor,H y
said senator Fassett
Il am willing to resign my place as chairman,
said Senator O'Connor. 81 did not want the chair
ship These Brooklyn Senators have tried 10 buldoze
me this bill. l am sick OF these bridge bills Let
there be commission to sell these bridge franchises
"You voted for the Greene bridge BILL" said Sen
ator McCarren, and the Ranney Bridge bill The only
bill which you opposed TO Is the Brooklyn Bridge
BILL Let me tell you that every newspaper in Brook
Ign and every prominent public man IN that city favors
this bill And / think the public men of New-fork
favor this bill. to increase the growth Of the two
cities. 1t is incompNhensible TO me why resident
Of Broome County should take such an Interest IN
New-Y0rk and Brooklyn Bridge bill"
senator Vedder said that the legislature might not
care 10 pass any bill which wond Interfere with the
general Rapid-Transt act Just passed Ih,s measure
ne considered bad one, and thought 1t ought to be
II am willing to have this bill recommitted" said
Senator oConnor and promise to report 1t witmh
Senator McCarren insisted upon definite day being
named. ~, 80, - A., , .,.
senator Ahearn opposed the bill on the ground that
the property rights of the people in his district were
not respected. H. q, - -, H..
At last the Senate disposed of the matter by ordering
that all bills in relation to East River bridges be sent
TO the senate Committee on Commerce ana NaVigauo
with orders that they be reported back 10 the senate
some time the coming week. 81.
subsequently senator oConnor attempted to submit
favorable report upon DR.. Ranney's bill for bridge
between Long Island City and New York, but senator
Birkett objected 10 its reception senator Erwin
he ief in the hands OF the Committee on Commerce and
Navigation. The bill therefore, was sent back 10 the
Committee on Commerce and Navigation.
The Assembly Committee on Cities has decided 70
renort fayorably Senator Brhetts bill authorizing the
extension OF the Brooklyn Bridge both in New-York
and in Brooklyn.