Year: 1869

1t IL related OF prominent Journalist OF tins city
that during the exciting period OF the war, having
received q telegram from Washington c0rrespon-
dent communicating some startling intelligence,
which began. ave live in an age Of great events"
he Immediately wrote back to the sender Of the de-
spatch to the effect that he certainly was correct in
making such statement, but inasmuch as this was
quite as easy Of appreciation in New York city
Washington, it was scarcely necessary TO incur the
expense Of telegraphing the information from the
latter city here. Now 1t Is doubtless fact clearly
understood by the majority Of our people that New
York has reached crisis in its history; but such
circumstance calls for some comment, ana is sug-
geetve OF certain duties pertaining thereto and de-
volv1ng upon Us, We venture to premise with this
assertion. The growth OF New York city,
beginning with the early settlement Of our
Dutch ancestors On the southern extremity OF
Manhattan ISpnd, has up TO the present
time; been ~ ~ stlics oDeence 70 h ane sipe, or
the infant settlement increased by degrees the limits
OF the built up district were extended 70 embrace
more and more OF the suriace OF the island and
year after year saw the gradual absorption Of the
green fields and woods which lay back OF the town,
and afterwards the city, into the paved streets OF the
progression had been reached, and IL had go far
largcd its area that the opposite shore OF Long
Island seemed nearer TO the business centre than
the then outlying unbuilt district OF the city proper
colony was formed there, and Brooklyn, as an ad





rrowth and extension Side by side the two cities
have since continued their territorial growth, until
we have now reached .,ir 2 a. point when both
buft up areasa district so extensive that such serious
Inconvenience s felt at the loss OF time occasoned
IN travelling TO and from the present unoccupied ter
rtory OF each and the trade centre TO require the
application of some new principles in directing and
securing their future extension.


All this. too, has been brought about In obedience
TO the imperative demands OF commerce and trade
against the seyerest struggle OF increasing popu!a-
ton TO domicie itself convenient 10 It's business
erests. II Is this struggle that mas caused the
tton OF those monster tenement houses where the
as II other spot on earth offered them q resting
place. which, ever Objectionable, even In their earlier
establishment, when less crowded than At present,
now so many breeding places Of disease aud
DEATH Following the same rule OF progression which
has heretofore marked the growth OF New York and
Brooklyn there ~ now no remedy for this as appre
ciation, based upon forekuowledge Of the
great future Of the metropolis, has passed these
tenement house districts and carried to so high
figure the price or the land above and beyond them
on Manhattan Island. still unoccupied TO preclude
all possibility OF It's being turned TO the uses OF
the workingmsn. Nor can II be continued long:
Tor the same prescencc winch bas given such value
to these town lots already presents the spectacle
OF the whole Of the lower portion OF the island con-
tcemng with life and Industry during the business
hours OF the day. but left to the scarce occupancy OF
the watch at night


Here. fnen, Il grave problem presented for our
solution, the proper settlement or which involves
crisis IN the progress OF our city, Where are We 70





who win be thus driven from their present insufficient
domiciles, bur the great army OF new workers
well which the future great needs OF trade win draw
hther. The problem 10 this great age OF steam and
prodigious engineering achievements II easy or
demonstration, Il we be bnt found enterprising
enough to avail ourselves OF the means which the
enlightened energy OF this nineteenth century places
at disposal and possess tile skill and daring 10
utilize them TO their fullest extent. To begin we
must ret rid OF old foqyism and OF that nervous a-
prehension ready to manifest Itself OF what might
happen, but, nevertheless, with proper precautions
Va Ia flt4 4EA shan.
turned the locomotive out OF streets and stopped
M the outskirts Of the city-a mistake which
not TOO soon be rccfIhed. Steam Is the only motive
power chat VIII supply our present demand for rapid
OF transportation from point 10 point; but Of
what little use is IL Ia connecting New York with It's
outlying suburbs when miles OF slow locOmotion
stand between us and Its avHilabilityf We must
have tunnels or elevated railroads that win permit
tue use Of steam a rropeing power, aud this OBJ
tained we have q limitless territory where homes
may be found for our working population.


1t s gratifying TO see, while a. the same time it IL
significant vi tue truth OF these observations, how
movements In this direction are In progress All ex-
perience demonstrates their ultimate pront and even
as near to on the lines OF railroads which have
their termini In New Jersey and are permitted TO
run steam cars to the river side. There is lesson
IN the activity prevailing IN real estate along these
lines, and the rapid growth OF numerous settlements
In what, few years ago, was prmeyai wilderness.


Our natural outgrowth, however, Is towards the
east, on Long Island. We have commenced 10 IN tho
building up or Brooklyn, and have stil ample space
Tor any future develvpment-provided always, u II
accompanied with the accessories named above. IN
~
Junct, ald we nrc glad TO perceive the increasing
signs OF Its early commencement and rapid compile
ton. The Chamber of Commerce having Withdrawn
their opposition to it--gracious concession 70 tue
spirit or the age--is endorsement by Congress wiL
remove oil chance OF vexatous interruption the pro.
gress OF the WORK. and ns ITS usefulness beyond all
mere speculation 1t VIII doubtless be but the pioneer
oi many similar structures THIS being accomplished
tie Following pertinent suggestions OF Brooklyn
magazine ON Brooklyn's opportunity are not beyond
nope oil similar achievement:--"Wha IS TO hinder
our citizens from securing charter the present year
Tor TWO underground railroads., both starting iroin
the head OF Main street, and divergng. perhaps,
near tie beginning OF Clinton street. tue one going
Ia straight line eastward IA the direction OF East
New York, the other southeastward, 70 the
vicinity OF Fifth or sixth avenue anu fiitietn
strcetf There would be far less difficulty IN
driving tunnel under through our hills
than through the subterranean portion Of New ork
city. On both the routes indicated there would pe
very little rock excavation On the eastern road
Tue ledge between Adeiphi strecrand Clermont ave.
nue., extending, perhaps. for q breadth 0f Two or
three blocks, IL believed 10 be the only serious oh
stace IN the way. on these routes there should nc