New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-15
RAPID TRANSIT COMING.
ONLY POSSIBLE OBSTRUCTION BY DEMO
CRATIC ASsEMBLYMEN NOW IN THE WAY.
WHAT THE AGREEMENT OF THE REPUBLICAN
SENATORS ON THE STEWART BILL MEANS
THE MEASURE WILL BE AMENDED-MR
FISH WILLING TO HAVE HIS BILL
WITHDRAWN, If NECESSARY.


FISH WILLING TO HAVE HIS BILL
WITHDRAWN, IF NECESSARY.
$aon THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE TrI1UHl
Albany Jan. 14.-Rapid transit In New-YOrk seems
assured. 1t be defeated only by the Demo
cratic Assembymen insisting apon the Democratic
party controlling the Rapid Transit Commission. some
persons would be surprised IL Rapid Transit
bill should become law before the end Of January.
These declarations may seem of sangulne nature TO
such residents of NewYork have been observing
keeny tho conflict rapid transit bills in the
LEGISLATURE for two three years past; bat the
action Of the Republican Senators al their conference
last night. in coming to an agreement upon Sena or
stewards bill, certainly gives good ground for think
ing that the conflict rapid transit IS nearing an
end. Moreover. ASScmblyman Fish, who has Il RAPID
tran q bill OF his own, has agreed 20 withdraw it in
favor of the stewart bill if 1t is the general party
sentiment Of the Republican senators and Assembly
men that he should do in fact, there is no Oh
stacle to the bill becoming Law, except tho
will Of a majority of The Democratic Asscmllymn;
and il Is not believed that they Will manifest any OPP
position to bill which accepts Mayor Grants
Rapid Transit Commissioners and YET, in non
partisan way, gives Newlork an opportunity to pro
vide herself with q rapd-transit system.
Senator Sheard of Little Fall. presided At the con
crence OF tie Republican senators last night. lie
was i'll IL wear ago. while the debate upon the RapM
Transit bills in progress, and absent when
the votes were taken on those bis. II therefore
especially appropriate that he should preside who had
p"lfOrce been neutral in the various CONNECTS over
rapid transit year ago. There free expression
of opinion by all the Republican senators present
concerning the various Rapid Transit bills; the frecr
because Il was conference, and rot a caucus. Us
decision was not t. be binding upon any one; in TACT
it was not to come any decision other than that
which might be made manifest by a majority Of the
Senators u;tcring views in certain direction
20 feel
made by senator sloan few DAYS ago: "Rapd
transit in NewNorl is no longer q political question:
Every present expressed his ardent desire that
a Rapid Transit should be passed BY this Leeis-
laturc. II also agreed that it would be best
a. accept the five gentlemen named for RAPID
Transit Commissioners by Mayor Grant since
they were men Of high character. But 1t
was also agreed that it would be wise 10 make the
Rapid Transit Commission strictly non-parsal, ana
that this could be done by declaring IN the kappa
Transit bill that five Rapid Transit Commissioner
that j.. al of them-shoud constitute quorum for
TIE transaction Of business of any character that Is,
that the bill should be arranged that nothing
could lie toward providing rapid transit without
the unanimous consent of the members of the Board
of RAPID Transit Commissioners. such 4 provision
would give the Republicans much power in tho
Board as the Democrats, and would have the cnect
of creating a deadlock If any commissioner should
attempt to inject political considerations into the
transaction of the business OF the Board. Where moth
ms political could be DONE nothing political would be
attempted. Moreover, il argued, the Republican
taxpayers Of New York have equal right of repre-
scntation in Board Of Rapd-Transt Commissioners
with the Democratic taxpayers. The Republican tax
laNcr vote. he safely declared. would Outnumber
the Democratic taxpayer vote ten 10 one.
Who shall ill the vacancies in the Board of Rapid
Transit Commissioners. if any occur? Senator Stew
arts bill, which has been adopted the most
worthy Of Republican support provides that vdcAncies
Shall be filled by the Governor and the senate Thu
.-.fzio fln ind At il IL
logical. Either make the Board Of Rapid Transit
Commissioners wholly state one or wholly local
one" said one Republican. " If such bill became
law" he further said. some of the Commissioners
might be appointed by the Mayor OF New York. and
o hers by the Governor and the senate. who would
yod hold responsible if the entire Board Of Rapid
Transit Commissioners thus appointed should do
wrOng'7
After further argument agreed that the Mayor
0. cwIork should not only make the original appoint
me.l, Of members Of the Board Of Rapid Transit Corn
missioners, but should also ill any vacancies that
nigh: Il doubt" said one Republican senator
today il Mayor Grant will be in Office when any
vacancies in this Board Of Rapid Transit Com
m,soners. The Board will hardly to work before
Mayor Grant Will out of Office But in any case We
protect the Republican representation in the Board Of
Rapid Transit Commissioners with provision that in
case OF vacancy, Republican is TO succeed a Re
publican. and a Democrat Democrat"
senator Cocgcshall, Chairman Of the Railroad Com
mittec said today: There is such an agreement
upon the steward Rapid Transit bill that it seems to
NE that a hearing upon it is unnecessary. am in
favor reporting the Dill favora6ly next Wednesday
senator stewards bill will also have amend
ment added to il providing that in case the elevated
railroads apply for permission to lay more tracks or
t. extend their present tracks TO the ferries, the con
sent Of every member of the Board of Rapid Transit
Commissioners shah lie necessary before such ap
pncation can be deemed TO be granted 81 only put
I'm the provision that four Of the five Commissioners
might grant this right TO the elevated roads" said
Senator stewart yesterday, because Of thought that
some crank might be appointed Commissioner. and
thus much-needed local Improvement be prevented !"
Assemblyman Fish, when informed Of this action Of
The Republican Senators, said =" glad 10 hear Of
what they have done; it is good augury concerning
a Rap!dTfansit bill The people Of New-York need
rapid transit above all other things. and hope this
Legislature will give ii to them The Senators arc
prudent in declaring that II shall take five votes in the
Board of Rapid Transit Commissioners TO do anything
think my bill. giving the Republican party three out
O. the six Rapid Transit Commissioners, IS a better
one than bill which gives the party only
Two out of three Yet / shall stand out against
the Stewart bill and for my bill If The former is passed
bv the senate. And hope ms friends, under those
circumstances, will for the stewart bill. 1t Is
immaterlal TO ME In what way, or by what bill, we
get rapid transit, long get it. see that The
Tribune made the objection TO my bill that did not
nroyide that only a certain number Of Rapid Transit
commissioners should compose quorum for The trans
action OF business. l thought such d provision I'M
Necessary since there to be three Republicans and
three Democrats as RAPID Transit Commissioners; but
am perfectly willing 70 have my bin amended ana
provision added That four. nve, or SIX members siill
constitute a quorum. In my opinion, the prospect ioF
rapid transit Is bright
Owing 10 the early adjournment Of the Legislature
to-day there was meeting of the senate Railroad
Committee which COggeshall intended 10 call
last night, There Will be meeting of this committee
lust as soon the Democrats show That they are Will
INC 10 settle down and work. II there had not
heen an diournment today, meeting Of this com
mittee would have been held this afternoon and the
Two Rapd Transit bills before II would have been
taken up aud without doubt. acted upon senator
oCgeshal said to-day that there was every likelihood
~ an early agreement being reached this measure.
lie added think that We will amend Senator Stew