New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-20
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rrsnton Feb. lq.-Tle stand taken In the SEN
80 this morning by Senators VOORHEES, and DAILY
nokes It appear reasonably certain that the long
'Iave5 track elevation in Jersey City will soon
- forced upon the Erie Railroad Company. The
/ ,i,ans If that town ha e been crying out for
,osrs against the company's deathtraps oe grade
,,ossings bu, year after year the Legislature
armed deaf ear 10 the appeals made. Every
,ession delegations representing the people in the
hroadest sense came here and asked the law
makers 10 afford relief. but the wise men elected
,odo tn will o. those who sent them here listened
and did nothing
Now. however the Erie Company occupies
new position. Hitherto it has desired nothing 50
much as that it should be left alone. and that
pegativ- policy was successful This year it APP
nears before the Legislature a suppliant.
VIVA, it wants is not much in itself-merely
ratification OF its reorganization. and ordinarily
the request would be granted without demur.
legislative ratification of the reorganization is
necessary to legalize 1t. and is not therefore
luxury or privilege which the company could do
without That being 50. II follows that the COM
pany must get this legislation in order to avoid
numerous difficulties. legal, financial and com
merclai This pressing need Of the company has
been seized upon by Senators Voorhees, and DAILY,
and they have declared in favor of 'holdup'
policy until the company shall retreat from its
policy * opposition to track elevation and do
what the people Of Jersey City want.
"No track elevation-no legalizaticn Of the re-
organization" is the cry of the Senators and they
are ina a position 10 enforce their demands. by
reason Of his ability and personal influence. as
much "a by virtue Of his position as leader OF the
Senate. Mr.. VOORHEES, is in particularly strong
position 10 force the concession from the COM
pany He is as well fortified as Governor Abbott
was when he compelled the Delaware, lacKa-
wanna and Western Railroad Company TO sur
render its special exemption charter Thai
the Senator from Union is earnest and determined
IN his matter is apparent from his declarations,
and especially so when taken in conjunction with
his record on all public questions
The company he says. wants us to DO some
thing for them. and We say that we shall when
they give the people Of Jersey City the protecuon
that they seek and need.
The importance of this method OF dealing with
corporations begging favors from the Legislature
IS realized when one considers that harolE
season passes without legislation Of one kind or
another being asked by abroad. trolley or other
companies Some Of these companies ignore all
the complaints and requests Of the public but II
may be hereafter that every bit Of legislation
OrtA' H..
tjonal upon the granting of concessions to the
citizens In this way the trolley companies for
example. could be forced into doing indirectly
what il might be difficult to make them do d.
r4ctly through the province of an enactment.
After hearing the remarks Of Senator Voorhees,
C3rtlandt Parker and James s Allen. the Erie
company's agent. turned to him and explained
their Willingness to have a track elevation bill
throws on the company only Go per cent of the
cost The balance is 10 be divided between the
State the city and the trolley company which
crosses the point at which the elevation Is TO be
made That proposition is likely to be met by the
objection that the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
many elevated its track without any expense to
the public.
Il may not be true that Governor Griges has
directly asked for the resignation Of Charles II.
Winfield. Prosecutor Of Hudson County, but 1t is
wholly within the bounds Of correctness 10 say
that such a resignation would be accepted with
lightning celerity-provided. Of course. that the
probe of an investigating committee is not going
T. be inserted into the conduct Of the Prosecutors
Office A Senate Committee with William II.
Corbin as counsel could strike a number of rich
veins.
Union County Republicans do not appear TO be
hilarious with JOY over the appointment Of their
neighbor Robert s. Green. jr.. TO place on the
state Board Of Railroad Assessors. What need
they care anyway. so long as the law required
the nomination Of a Democrat?
The LEGISLATURE has adjourned for the week.
Tomorrow Thursday al o'clock the House
Committee on Railroads and Canals will give a
further hearing on the Equal Taxation bill