New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-29
BOS7ON'S R1PID TRANSIT SCHEME.
IT is CARRIED BY SMALL VOTE IN sNAr
ELECTION-TIE PLAN PROPOSED

IT is CARRIED BY A SMALL VOTE IN SNAr
EIECT1oN-THE PLAN PROPOSED
Boston July % (SpeciaD--The chief topic OF con-
yersation in Boston this week has been the speO"i
election TO determine II the people would indorSe
the action Of the Legislature on the rapid transit
question. Mayor Matthews. who succeeded IN TACK.
ing on his subway scheme 10 the Megs elevated
project called for the election at date wnen ne
knew perfectly we'll that a large number OF proper
tv-holders would be out OF town and wouid not DC
likely TO 10 vote. He trusted TO MS apty 10
invoke the aid OF those who had not dollar at
stake in the matter. In this way he carried 'he
election In favor Of what thousands OF Boston
hest citizens believe is gigantic piece or )opoefy
Mavor Matthews In the early season favored the
adoptlon of a modest subway scheme which was
approved by many people. 1t failed OF PASSAGE p'
the Legislature. and suddenly the Melgs people Sc
cured a favorable report on scheme "hlch ioi
downright recklessness. II no more severe term Is
used exceeded anything ever before witnessed in
Massachusetts, Legislature. 1t was denounced py
every influential paper in the city, but Its promoters
made a blum and succeeded In carrying II tNrous"
in a modified form. but with the assistance Oh ''e
Mayor of the city. who tackled on subway schci'c
much more comprehensive In It's scope than the one
he had originally fathered
In every other instance on record when speciai
election on a referendum has been ordered the pest
interests of the people been consulted by call
ing the election a time when a fair test OF pupNc
sentiment might be obtained; but Mayor Matthew's
was bent on carrying his scheme through anu
few hours after the passage of the Dill ne isSueu
his call FOR an early election July q The vote
was OF course small % 695 votes being cast. or
about Sc per Of the total registered vote Last
wear the so-called Alley Route Rapid Transit DILL
which was referred 10 the people, called out vote
of 5oss 1t was rejected by majority Of 3l29.
while the Melgs bill was accepted by a majority or
only LOO
The act authorizing this alleged. rapid transit
scheme is in two parts one relating to the ele-
waited road has thirteen corporators. The most
responsible men named in the list J. V. Melgs.
the inventor: Thomas W. Hyde president OF the
Bath (Me) Iron Works: Theodore w Myers. OF
New York and Abram 6. Hewitt. OF NewYork.
1t Is reported Mr. Hewitt has asserted that he
has no financial interest in the scheme. having
merely permitted a friend to use his name. The
bill provides for a capital OF less than ten mill
IONS and not more than twenty millions. The issue
of stock and bonds IL TO be subject TO the approval
of the Railwat Commissioners. l. is permitted to
construct lines OF elevated railway either under the
Meigs patent or any other system (other than that
known as the Manhattan. Of New-YorD which the
Railway Commissioners may approve. Three main
routes authorized: From Sullivan Square
Charlestown. to Haymarket Square. Dock Square.
Pos;of.ice Square. Boston over the Federal street
Bridge and over Dorchester ave. 10 Milton. Branch
lines may be built TO Maiden, Bcaohmont. crescent
Beach. Chelsea. Marine Park. South Boston. Ne
pon.et Sonerville. Cambridge. Roxbury, Brook
line and elsewhere. -
The corporation can do work on its road until
its locations shall be approved by the Mayor ana
Aldermen or the Selectmen Of the city or town.
and may do work any new bridge until the To-
cation and plans shall be approved by the Railway
Commissioners. No station may be built In any
public street less than GO feet wide. without The
consent OF the Mayor and Aldermen. or the Select
men Within six months from the acceptance OF
the act the corporation must apply for locations ior
FIVE miles Of track. and before February
they must deposit 10000 with the state treasure
and all left from the payment OF damages
shall be forfeited 10 the Commonwealth II the cor
poration shall fell TO build Ave miles OF the ROAD
within two years OF the approval OF the route The
corpora also deposit with the state Irefs-
urer 800 90 additional before II begins the con
structlon OF any Of its line
The other feature OF the bill provides for the con
struction OF a subway by the city OF Boston. one
tunnel is to be built under fremont st. from peas.
ant-s 10 the Union station, at the northery "nd or
the city This VIII include the tunnellng OF a poi-
ton OF Westinghouse. Hanover-st. and Scol;ay
Square Another tunnel is 20 be constructed be
meath the harbor to East Boston. and another under
a portion of Boylston-st.. Columbus ave. ana the
Tremont-st mall OF Boston Common Inc bil nom
inaily nxts the at seven million dollars Tor INC
subway section. but sane man expects tnat u
can be built for less than fifteen or twenty millions