Year: 1869

Distractions ON Carriage Ways and Pub.


lie Thoroushfares.


The melancholy death Of our old and es-
teemed fellow citizen, Mr.. James Harper, by
being thrown from his vehicle on Fifth ave-
nue., has already been shronicled. It seems
chat the accident occurred, briefly, in this
manner A cart crossed the avenue, and Mr..
Harper brought his horses to full stop to
allow thescart to pass. On starting again, the
pole or shaft Of his vehicle struck the wheel Of
the cart, his horses became frightened, dashe ed
on at terrific speed, the buggy struck another
vehicle, and Mr.. Harper was thrown over the
dashboard, and dragged under the buggy for q
considerable distance, and ultimately taken
up insensible.


While sympathizing with the relatives of the
deceased in their sudden bereavement we
cherish the hope that some good to the COM
muhity may result from this deplorable acci-
dent-an accident that has deprived q wide
circle of friends of beloved associate and the
city Of one of its most substantial pillars. We
have been repeatedly obliged to report acci-
dents arising from distractions in the public
streets. At one time they arise from collision
with piles Of bricks or masses of rock used
for building purposes, at another by collision
with numbering carts and heavily laden trucks
driven by careless or Indifferent drivers, at
others by the neglect Of those having the re-
spohsibility Of giving proper warning of dan
gerous obstructions. However necessary it is
for the proper authorities to abate these evils
in the streets used for business purposes, it is
especially their duty to see that every precau-
tion is taken to keep the carriage ways used
for pleasure travel free from the perils Of COL
lision. Carts and trucks are not allowed upon
the Park-why should they be permitted to
obstruct the travel at hours when the main
avenue leading thereto is filed with carriages
conveying iniirm and aged citizens, as well as
ladies and children, to the only spot within
the limits of the city where an hours drive
or ramble for recreation can be obtained?
The Park might as well be located in the
moon as on Manhattan Island if the chief ave-
nue. leading thereto be filed with mantraps
and impedlments rendering access both diff
cult and dangerous. We propose, therefore,
that the plan adopted in regard to the parks
and pleasure grounds In Paris, in similar
emergencies, be enforced here. That is,
to establish regulation that during
certain hours in the afternoon, when Fifth
avenue is thronged with carriages going
to or returning from the Park, the avenue,
within prescribed distance from the pleasure
grounds, shall not be encountered with dirt
carts, heavy stone trucks and vehicles Of that
description. There exists an ordinance against
fast driving on the avenue as well as in the
Park This is precaution against accidents,
and should be rigidly enforced. Why, then,
should not the principle be carried out still
further, by removing the obstacles we refer to
during few hours in summer afternoon?
Moreover, number Of new buildings are going
up in the neighborhood Of the Park, and
large amount of rubbish, Independent Of the
necessary building material, is permitted to
accumulate to the injury Of the thoroughfare.
This should all be promptly removed by per-
emptory order from the authorities. We also
suggest that the dangerous business Of explod-
ing rocks within close proximity to the Park
or avenue at an hour when hundreds Of private
carriages are constantly passing and repassing
be, for the time being, suspended. While
carrying on the interior improvements of our
grand pleasure resort the surroundings should
not be overlooked, and it is with this view,
prompted by the untimely and tragic death Of
one of our best citizens that we throw out
these suggestions. Some structures hitherto
made by us in the same connection, we are
happy to see, have not been disregarded, and
we trust the above will receive similar recog-