The New York herald. [volume], April 29, 1877, Page 8, Image 8

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Disoussion on the Scheme for Uii
dermming" Broadway.
GILBERT'S ATTACK.
Passengers Irom Harlem V;a the
Pop Gun.
II ORRO R S BELO W.
Dr. Hayes on the Joys of
Lightning Speed.
ALNAXr, April US, 1ST7.
in the Assembly ibis morning nearly two huuiV
time was occupied !n tne discus; Jon ol u bill Intro
ducod early In the session by Iir. Isaac I. Hayes, to
chaugo tho tjunio ol tho Beach I'aeutnatio Transit
Company to the Broadway Underground Railway
Company, and to extend tho charier lor live years
Irom the 1st or May, 1S77. The debato was
parilclputod In by Messrs. Gilbert, Rct-loftlne,
Hayes, Kockwell aud Spiuolu, and as thj.'
subject ol rapid transit generally win lully
Ijono over Iho principal speeches are given below.
Spluolu was tho only one ol the speakers who catuo to
tho rcscuo ol Or. Ilayes. but there were no now issues
raised in his remarks. The franchise expire* on tho
20th of next month, so that unless tuts bill Is passed It
bccomes vacated. Tho hill to-day was progressed, as
Dr. Hayes was alrald, on account ol tho slitnness ol tho
bouse numerically, to movo to have It ordered to Its
third reading.
KKM.WtKK OP IIK. Glf.nKltT.
Mr. Ciiaikuam?When this matter was under con
sideration before I gavo two reasons why, In niyjudg- '
motit, thW bill ought not lo pass. Tho llrst reason was
?that no underground railroad ought to be built under
Broadway. 1 did not then undertake to say
whether it was loasiblo or wise to build an
underground railroad; hut I did say that
undor a great pational t borough (are, 1 might
pay. an underground railroad ought not to bo con
structed. Tho second reason that I thou stated was
that ll it ought to be built this company should not lie
entrusted with tho work, and II tho members ol this
committee will recollect sotuo reasons which 1 then
save I think they will be satisfied upon that point i
IVhon tho bill was pusseil in 1ST4. exiondlim their '
poivers, and more particularly tho time wltliiu winch j
.ho work was to bo done, it required, us I
llieu called your* attention to lliu fact, tho
jotnp.ny to give a? Pond in tho sum of i
floo.uou that tho flr.-t section ol this '
work, Irom Howling (Ireoii up to Kortv-socond street,
should be constructed wittiiu three'years irom Its i
pusssge. That bond was never given, aud when tho
committeo inquired wiiv It was not given wo were !
gravely Inlormed that their attorney Iniouucd this
compnny th.it they woro not obliged to execute I
it; that thoro was iio power to compel them 1
to obey the law. another thing. They were to I
oompleto this undoruround railroad Irom How
ling Croon ui? to Korty-socond street witlnti j
three years Irotn tno passage of ibo act, and ttiose
throe years will expire upon the 'Juth day ol May next, i
1 aske.i tho gentlemen who apjieared lor tho companv '
"II wo wore to-day in New York, what could you !
?now us that you huvo doneY" "Well," he '
?aid, "wo wouldn't show you anything at all I
absolutely nothing." Prior to that time I
l<? 4 he sure, tbcra was a tunnel built' i
periliips ??!..<) loet under ground, which,'I am Informed, I
u uow used for a shooting gallery, but 1 don't know 1
that it is so. I inn inloriued by Mr. Kcrlesme, ol .New I
? ork. that it is u-ed, lor a shooting gallery, and th it '
reminds mo to call attoutlon to wbut tbe bill wis lor
originally.
a matter ol glsnutic importance. It !s pro
posed to put an underground railroad under
the ureatost thoroughlaro upon all this Continent.
II uot upon all this great globe of ours, and
yet. it is proposed to shut oil debate alter
inn original object ol this company was to construct 1
a sort ol - popgui.''ruuning through tho city aud uu
<1. r thu river to Brooklyn and to Jersey City. This i/
live or teu minutes upon tins prorosittou. I have I
Mated that no underground railroad, in mv judgment I
should be put under liroadway. I have stated that in '
my judgiuunt, if it should bo douo, it should uoi he 1
done bv this company. 1 now procoed to
a third proposition? viz,, that we have
iio right to extend their powers. In u?y
Judgment thero is a constitutional prohibition upon
this whole matter. Now tho time Within which this
company is to operate must expire ou the 'JOth day of
May uoxt. I will, however, go back to my llrst propo
biiiou, as my tunc has boon extended Indefinitely, aud
diicuss that a Utile inoro deliberately, and In a new
light.
OANC.IItS OP THK DXllKHOHOrVU ItOAO.
I have some or the very best authorities that any
underground railroad constructed lor miles under a
great city is Iraught with great danger to health and i
to ilie. I have two very long and elaborate letters j
here from l)r. Harris, Secretary of the American Na
tional Medical Association upon that point, and I may
say without exaggeration that bo maintains 1
that an underground railroad running lor tones under
a great city, with its sewage aud tho natural drainage, j
Is a thing Iraugut with great danger to health Tim I
passengers aru excludeu irom light; they aro excluded 1
from lre.-h air, aud what air there is is vitiated. I
am reminded that in London, where tli"ir
road is not nearly so long before coming to
nu outlot, their attention is being called to this
matter ol health. I will return now to tho coiislitu
i .VPfi"'KOiient. I nlofs we p iss ibis or some similar
bill that company can do noih;ng alter tho 'Jilth day of
May. I think that will be conceded. Now tit- object
#1 this bill Is to extend this charter. They wish to pass
this bill to extend tho life of this charter bev on J the I
say of May. Now, iny proposition Is that that can ?e
done under tho constitution. The constitution says that I
"the Legislature shall not pass a private or local bill
m any of the following case*." Une or mem is this!
Granting to any corporation, association or Individ
ual tho right to lay dnwu railroad truck.." iho lirst
question which confronts us here is, I- tins a private I
or a local bill ? If not, tins does not apply.
CIUKACTKK UV TIIIH HII.U
Hut J take il lliul tlicro is no lawyer upon the floor
ol lb<- Hntixo who will claim that tbl.s uonl a local and
b private Mil It does nut relate lo the State at large;
It in confined to n particular locality. It 18 a local bill.
NecomJ, it I* u private bill. H I* a bill prnpuKing lo
conicr upon a cirpoi anon certain powera. Now, what
ure these? U hv, to luy down n ruilroud truck, ih it not ? |
Wall, tlis coumuutioD *aya (but thai cannot bu iluiio. j
One other provision I bo Ia'ci-Iiiiuro cannot Kniiit tu j
i?uy private corporation, aaaMlalloo or individual any
exclusive privilege, iiumuuity or irauctnse whatever
Now, tbla bill proposes to confer up id lbl* corporation
llm eulMHr? pMTIIrit ol laying a railroad iraok ,
under Uroidw.iy. liorn any ouo mty tiiut tliero
may bo more than < no uiumi nn.ior Broadway?
Why. tt >a?teluatve. it is ao oidQilva priviiif,'*. It
la au sfcciuaiva IraMbtic. Hut, xoino ouo saya that |
Ibey i.avo a i h trier iu lite lod iv, a.id I ww IruuMid :
Mill tbix ar .iiiii.Mit -into what inv-M'll; but alter a good
ji'ui 01 iiiMu.'iit aim C' i' .<i ration I hat o come to tnia
?OOrluaion -Il Hit! llu.i' dot a nu lling, (hH
toiuiwuv c.au <!?> i ii hiLrf alUr ibe I'dili u iy ul
Muy Wbii t<n > w ni u- 10 do la to t|i\e lhatn power
10 opMaM alter tbat tunc. ?> ? l Bow. then. arc wo
not oNltrriiif upon tb< in cxcliiaivs power t > do soin*?
tliitii; * It in..k.??? flu dlilcri'DCf *lie'h r tbat power .
orgiiia in o|.i r..lioii? In obv tb?? or ti u da)?, ou tlio ,
jui i, ol May or tlit Uialof May. Wr pro, M? lo uonliT
up'in tbat coiii|i my tl.< ?xcliia<va |M>?.r in lav j
a ua< k ia ti.ui trnat Ctly, aad?l llroadwuy. i
Now, in my jaiUUiciii. llial ...mint l>> . no without
violatun' Ibt | ua pr<v; oiiaandlli* complete ppirit
01 tli*? cam ll uuon, and lit i> not :? part i t U< t II
Blltulioa which ?? ul .aio u| . mn mhiio twenty or
thirty year* ago which Wf liavt oul|;fW and aro
aboui ready to la'! oil We run rnilit again*! a plum
provixloii ol Ibe rdiiiuiniHiB iniii e<l no longer a^o
lliali November, 1*74. Me.irag?iHK agsitst the will
ul tba people a.- 11, ri'ix i in the ? rgsnic law ol tb<i
Blaic.
*0 ivnu ri? avTK 'U TllR ? IIA KTKH.
Mr. I.ajhikbi* io 1 antral ami <b? ?? i.it> nun lo
?ay tbat Mia l?t gialatiire 1 ?? l?o , wer.? exisatf the
ennrtar of tbla andsi ground railroad coihj anyf
Mr. Ui< ' but?I aay |>rec a i> tinl. I ray .oat unless
we pas* tbia oiiMbey MB louuib ugailei the nn lay ol
May. I bey aak ua to extend ib< r cliari. r hi tint limf
may do koiuamiiig alter lite JUtli 1 ? I M .y 1 aay
tbat ia nriulili. 10 lb cm w but tbc cnntitUilon Maya
We 80BBM do.
Mi. l.a%?<i<ci>?Wbatt.i r in tbe Ini , . ir :u B <w
Bliln Uw Jul* 01 May, ibi? r.inuav in ha 1 lay aoWB
railroad iraeka ai d no ??u build u$ il?eir rnd*
Mr. Itli.Mi Br ? 1 bal i* a , od <1 1 al ou. I ay yea;
uot oBly lb tt, but llwjr muat, ? Uiejr ob< v .,1. i .w
undt r w mcli tbey aro acting I Unvn?u?pk e ib ir
road before tlie ?''.b d?y of May, I Irani Rowling
?.rteB to |forty-*e? ol??l atieel, I li??a aotluug III I e III j
gay, except thai it w uaU ha a gr.-ai pabiic t^Umity.
11 tbe uil"ii. in Itoiaka tba: tba* ? an conn ci'i 11 ib
k>?* lban a Blirtilh they liav.. tin |k.?> r lo ii it
Lik* ai?fn?ri*ii Tiiaoat> poiwi*.
Xliey prof???'? to i??iUl an in ilerj? ??! I atraattte
r?nnibi{ umier Urotdway and ??<l?*r uie r v?? over laio
Now Jeraev aBd HrioklyK. How II I Ihf parpwau Ml I
orK-rala Itf Why i y ?? ?"? 0 "? : ?< ' ?? Why
Ibef would | Ul a IU 1. IB'1 thta t "I Ilid ? ? ?t I11BI
Ibroiigb uudoi tbe 1 ty ol ? ?? ? < >?>' ? er 1, ?
t'pmk yi.? 1 Bibb -i ri i.g Ir >?? it' ? 1 ' ' ai'Mia
Into il"? Mill. 11 1 a w ?< l? t 1 , ? ! 111
lOinu '?"! ?? I' "H|?cl I '? i " ? >"
in live, leu or (1 'let 1, . . . m . n ? ? ? ?- "? ' ;l
aame'i lo <ti over an. . ?> >? 1
.Bio tin- |i?prtiM ??*< al?o#? k\m ??'f into N. w j
Jnrnoy. There i? out- adt-'iti'iva ?M 'y V "jt 1 ?*'? ,
:,var ibr (jr.M ni?JK- ?ml'l ? *??) '
11,e Utd .nr b?ii 1 .?i ii'>. I 10 1 .1
h itKll l< au .In; ? 1 t?'t in.t r 1 1 ?'
?1 nghi mall' I w M?t;?tl m\y r a
hondie<l BMUioOi o* i ? I- I r '"? > ????? ll"
tr .naporia ."ii ol 1 ??*><T I ? -I"- .??? Ma ilmt
apace ol 1 n?c, to H?a bi?aUii?? ol lo. i?i all whk i
attM! Uw if we Ma lo btitaVa tkM BtM be loa |
[ effect or passing through this tunnel. Where Is the
good air coming from?
SsiKllH'S uPKsriu.w*.
Where Is tlie air at all coming Iromf Why, tbore
are to b? openings here and tbere lor people to go
lowti ibrough. When you get down tbere you are
shot oM Irom light, excspt gaslight. You arc shut oil'
I from the food air, hecuuso theso people aro coulin
u;.||y breathing it and tbere Is very little opportunity
lor it to etcupo. Tbat la not all. Tbero must
bo a vast amount ol' impurities >u the
ground of a groat nud populous city like
New Vork. It inay be said that tins will bo excluded
by tbu walls; but tbeae walla bave to be perio>-uUd, as
I am tola, and through those openings the bad air and
bad water are continually passiug. I?r. Harria suggests
that you am not only excluded from the light,
and subject to Ibia bad air constantly, but
ttio noise and jar ol the nervous system
is very h.d. I uuticipate tiiat wo shall
have a very elegant and very admirable speech in a
fhort time Irotn Ur. Hayes', ol New Vork, who baa
charge ol ihia bill, llo will show ua tbc great need
ol rapid transit, and 1 undertake to say that there
Is not a man on this floor but will Join wltb linn
on lhat point. Hut how shall It he done
la the question? Ho will make an elaborate
argument, 1 huvo no doubi, In favor of tbo under
.ground railroad, but I apprehend that when ho come*
to thia matter of health he will bo puxxlod to llnd now
to exclude bad air irom tbla continuous tunnel, and
bow to remove it Irom the operation ol those ob
Joctionablo elemcnta which necessarily enter Into IL
M IT A LlVK OOBTORJtTTO.N ?
Now, these are lh? three reusons which I now offer
against the passage of this bill. Gentlemen, 1 have uo
fu:ih ill the projectors of this tunnel; I have no faith
in the profoct. Chore is no life tu the corporation. It
I- thing tbat ought to meet its death at the very
earliest possible moment; tfiereioro 1 hope tlio cnuct
in^ claua.- Ol mo bill will bo stricken out so mat It will
die.
KkXAKKS Of MR. KCLKSIXB.
I suppose it will bo conceded without very much
elaborate argument that I am in favor of any decent,
honorable and reputab e scheme that will lacilltate
rapid transit in tbo city of New York, and
ir 1 <111 not know that this bill was a
hill created for the pursue ol defeating
and rnppl.ng rt|nd trans't In tbat city I would not
opi o e it hero. What u this bill T It It not 10 create
u system ol underground railroads in the city ol New
York; II is not a conical between elev.iteU and under
ground railroad* in that metropolis; but H is to lake a
charier which has been lorlelled by nou-u.-er,
which hua bean forfeited by not complying
with ihe original torms which the Legislature imposed
upon the Incorporators, and to breaine some kind of
lilu lino this galvanic corpae and give it an opportu
nity to further anuoy the community, instead ol de
cently burying It out ol eight? burylns it under
ground. Now, then, thia corporation tomes hero ask
ing lor an extension of their charter, not having
complied unb the terms of ibo original charter: not
having built a luartcr of a mile oi the;r road, not
having been able to ir luce any capitalists to put a
cent's worth luto the construction of the road; not be
ing at.o lo accomplish that purpose now; not
honestly luteodiug lo accomplish that purpo?o |
now. This corporation hoi tbo impudence
to go before tho lioard of Aldermen ol
tho City Of Now York one dav last week and aorvo a
notice upon thorn that they would bold auy person in
damages as IrcHpsssing upou their chartered privi
leges who uttcmptod to build any other system ol un
derground railroad in the citv of Now York. If tlila
bill became a law you would bave this condition of
aiiairs; you would have a charter which no capitalist
would touch, and II any capitalist did touch
it it would bo to his own ruin ; you
would have a charter to logali/.u what
has been proven to bo nu impracticable scheme; you
would have a charter in the possession and couirolol
men whose interests aie Idenlllied ua being adverse lo
that ol anv system of rapid transit in the city oi New j
York, and'you would have a charter which malms ex- J
clusivo privilegos and woulJ exclude ail other pooplo
Irom building an underuround railroad In that city, lor
that la what ttioy claim In their notice that they liavo
served upon tho Hoard ol Aidertnon ol the city ol
New York.
A DIVIO OK TIIK KNMV.
Docs anybody ou this floor believe that tho charter,
emanating Irom Hie source it does, is advocated hero
in tho interest ol rapid transit ? Poes anybody who
remembers the voto that was takon hero u little while
ago, and kuowa who it waa that opposed that proposi
lion and knows tho Inlluoucv that was behind
that opposition?do. a any onu credit tint una
ts a bill in the Interest ol rapid transit r
II Is only a dovtca ol the enemy. It Is only a TroJ hi
horse? outside lair to behold, but iraugbt liiah'e with
destruction to tho peaco ol tho city. "1 fear the
(irueks bearing offerings." 1 rotognlsj in this
merely a cover lor tho Mcret enemies of :
rapid transit, Bring it onco within the limits j
of tho city and you will have destroyed
that grand interest forever. The original bill ought
nevor lo have been paascd in mo lirst place, bocauso it
was impracticable. ll there was any question aa to lis
practicability that question ha* Ouen amply decide I by
their unsuccessful clloria io obtain any capital to put
Into the road, ll' their honesty ol Intention was ever
qiieauouod tbat has also beou >u> at rest by their lull
uru to comply with tho terms which the Legisla
ture imposed upou them?vit. that they should
Ulo a certain bond. And now at thia> !
stage, when they huvu shown tbelr bunds in the
city of New Vork by atteiuptiug to ??buildox-." the aider- j
men Horn giving itiu privilege to build any other on- '
dergrouiid railroad, I think It la preiiy plain and !
manifest to thiH Itou-e that they do not intend lo
build any railroad, and only seek to b?T< ach. r r
that they can lluunt In tho eyes ol anybody ulsv who
does uttompl to build a railroad.
nu. iiAvxa' irtKH.
The Houso will bear uie witness that I have not
hitherto tre-paasod largely upoo their patience. I aafc,
however, to-day that tune may be giveu lue beyond
tho established rulo of livu minutes. In .mi ?
mous consent being given lor unlimited time. j
l>r. Hayes proceeded as follows:?The bill
boloro tho liouso is ono ol great importauco
to the city of New Vork. It is one involving various |
Interests; it is one in which to a greater or less extent
every one in that city, ricu and poor alike. ia directly
or ludlrectiy concerned. It is ono anoul wlilcb a gre >t
deal hua been said lavorahly and unfavorsbiy. A ?real
deal has uecn written about it in tho saum spirit. It is
tho nover ending subject of "Uapid trau?it." Now,
what is rapid transit thai wo should hoar
so much about it. 1 have heard n aaid on the door ol
tbia House. 1 havo hoard lion the street, 1 liavo read 1
it in tho now.-papers, tbat In rapid transit is involved .
tho luturo prosperity, th? growth, nay, even the vory I
cxlstcnco oi the metropolis of tho Kmpiro Slate, and
people aro vory serious about it; every body has au ,
opinion about it; every body has a theory about it,
and every body has u plan lor its consummation. It is j
well wo should iU(|Uiro a little into it.
PKCCLIAK CIKCCII8TA3CKS.
Tbo city of Now York is a peculiar city. Its harbor
Is the 11 nest in the world. Tho city Is surrounded on
every Hdo by naviuablo water. Tho tlnosl rlvor ol'
the continent dr.iins lo It tho agricultural wealth ol
tho State, nud by tho arm which It throws out to tho
West through the Krlo Canal ll draws to it tho vast
treasures ol tho Knr West. To tbo Kaal Long Island
Sound invites u coasting trade unequalled by that
of auy city In tne world. The Island on
which it atiinds, is nut above three miles in width
at any point, and, whno averaging less than two ml Ml
in width, la hevoutcen miles long. It is not netdtill to
recount its early history and growth until it bus at
length obtained the proud pluco ol being tho com
mercial metropolis ol this Continent, aud ouo
of tho lamed ilnaiicial cities ot tbo world.
It is leas than a century sinco it prac
tically bogan to tako lis r so in that direction,
'i'hIs riso nud scarcely boon bojun nearly seventy
years ago when it w as determined to lay out the wholo
surlace ol thu island oil which this city stands in
streets and highways. At thill time Hie truillc was
ulmost wholly across tho isluud, Irom rivor to river.
Trad* ciiiio to iho city wholly by water?by the East
River, tho North Kivor or Irom the sea.
With the country beyond the island thero was but
onu prlnciiial lino of communication?thu one great
highway. Unit great monument ol early engineering
si;ill w Inch, bogiunlug at tbu liattery as "Hroadway,'*
extended through loruat and dale, through leruic
and wa?to places, through rocky lustnossos
and meadow swamps to tho town of Albauy.
'I lip surveyors who laid out tho cuy never ouco im
agined lliul any considerable trade would ever come to
it by land. Thu puck horse uud wagon wore then the
only means ol laud transportation. Tbo Krlo Canal
was hardly dreamed ol. tsicuiu as a motive power hail
not t> oil inventod. Inland commerce waa wholly con
ducted in < lumsy and alow pulling >loops which could
barely stem Ihe tide. And thus it came about that
liiev laid out the city with mutiy streets running oust
and west aud w ith but lew streets running uoriu and
south.
TlJlK ? IIUKAT I MAM1K.
Utile did tbcy luiuglno Uie gnat involution ilut wua
to tuko place in ibo tour mo ol tritde. I.illlo did tUuy
lliiak ibM u iroa road would iuu parallel wiili nud
?uppiuut the turnpike road to Albany, or tiiut, with
(ttiurl following, thorn would pour tutu tbo upper
? U'l of tho island a vast amount ot trui
00. wtalcn would iii.tko communication between tho
ui?i>ur nid loworeudaol tlio iHlnud u mutter ol buniuoss
,iud not ol mere convenience or ol plea?uro to In
?iivmu?H. 'I ban It wan tnai tlio ni it 111 pi ici ty ol' areola
u rtioi the island caused to bo Important. I Ihui it wan
tliat Ibo lOWUeaa ol tliu atroulH length wiao ol tlio iHland
cum* to lie lecognlzed aa mo great inl?take ol ihe
original piai|n.im ol ilio urowlnt,' city. People pushed
tl.eir Wuf up town. Centre* ol busluoss chunked.
it j ncrrt omu lushiomiblo became nearer collections i
of siorva, and inch wan at length i'.io prasaure up
town In tit in great Clljf, wboso growth atuud* unp-ir
ailo ed in hlitory, Hint tliu mau ol husuiOMa
*<??11 Ionn I liinisolt tniloa aWaJT from Ins
c iintJag liOUHC, irolu b:H store, Irntn Ins
<'inkii>^ liousd, from tlio Poat oillco nod Irout
iiioiiioUi'> cnaugur'a haunts; aod now, as uijjcuuiiy a ?
way* stand* r<- .d> to supply n udurtl nam, mi>?
- e on* lb tig uccctdiug another in it*# way ol inven
t, n, each .ind uyen oiiu baing devlsod under |ifef*
>ur? ?>! tlio kim und cry ior "rapid traiiait."
Hie old I .in or'ii; siago coach wont out ol ex
intuiix ib" oiutillfUN cntuo hi wiin a llonrmb
wl i ruin p ' a id tli h iii It iuu Wan rUcMOded by lliu
1.nr?? rjnrui ., <u l Wis, alter a brief (XiltotNofloM
i . .u t* iiv year*, la prdnlined 19 bo n burbaroua prod*
? i 1.1 in indent time, nud llie peoplo cfJT uioOd th?t
( i litti'1 car w:tii Hi- tinkling bell* and its ilow plod
<1 i: !.oi ??> i,.ill ni.ike way lor tliu shrieking looomo
ti.' i.d ilie i imbl.n.' wheels ol u heavy train. And
iii - i i, ni ir iiikit a ? wo call It now
wuv .."in iKAXi-ir ih wadtib
? i ?!i> t ? : ? piu want it? i ntra orn many
r< a- ? iii > want il In <. iu?o tlio distance bus ao
r .i - ? . i ? mi i ii tliu nun chum's iiomu and li ?
1 ? ? ? I ? ? > w.iiil n bi cuusi' Hie Itlleginpb,
i I " t. i aii'.unxiiip, ii.tve inado uien
. i ii> ol ? it u t tin ii Ii. retol ru, wlioh
l ii it liVi d in tbe rotttnn above
i. ? ' whim the irrlv.il ol abipH
* ? ?> in w *. k and nul by tlio bour; when
\ .iii hi) w . .io?l event and tliu under
l? hi iii i ii -..ill inn parting hulueen
? fullv ind In- id*, riioy wunt it because Inclines
v. ? r? Hi reu I r home* ? ln..i|e r aii'l more ncuaaalblo
i ) .n i the is iii. lliu nivroMnt. uttur u lew
in.i i i i-' * .i.-, n und liii.i. e|| on board u conilort iblo
iu.uiU ii, .u j in a law uiinutea invro wm whirled
away WD or twenty miles into the foreign land of the
Jersey. and wti at Lie home In u shorter spuce or
Ituie und with grealer rouvoulouce in gelling there
thsu to go to the Central 1'ark; or iu Hue manner be
found himsell on Stateu Islaud, ut peace with
ull the world about him, breathing the salt
aua air, or on Brooklyn Heights regaling him
?ell with tho continued cUngiug of the church
bulls ol that good city- And so It came to pass ihul
everyone criod out with u loud voice thai we must
have rapid transit, quick transit by steam, olau every
body would lleo the isluu .1. The grass would grow
green in the uuiruvolleu streets; ihe, houses ol the
city would crumble to decay; tuo oomnn rco ol toe
port would be driven to Brooklyn. llobokeu and t erlh
Ainboy. and M-?oaulay'a picturo ol the wild Now
Zoaluuder standing on a broken archway ol Lonaon
Bridge sketching the ruins of St l'aul's would bo
iranslerrod to the smouldering walls ol Stewart scatm
bouse.
isusMot's lsrvKSTioxa.
Various were tho cx|iodlculs devised to meet the
great emergence. Iuveiition ran riot through the
couuuuuity. Men's heads wore burstlug with new
made scheme*. Newspapers wero eulargodI iu order
that the public might bo accommodated with their
plans. A spirit ol disinterestedness never beiore
manifested in tho history ol mankind was dis
pliyed. Every oue was anxious to save the citj,
and to immolate hiniaOlf upon the ultar ol hor ?reat
net*. While oue uiau would dig down into tho earth
and make a treucu another would run poll.melt
through the houses; another wouid bostruddle the
streets with iron suits; another would blow ^people
through tho air or underground, us the case m>Kh>^oe,
in a treat tube, whilo still another would swap a
??dummy" lor a pair ol horses aud ret the ,
people up town by asthmatlo pulls. Now, . will
not pretend to pass Judgment as to Whicu was the
host or which was tho worst ol all these Contrivances. j
In ull ol them there was porhaps something ol yood. j
In all of thoin thero was something ol Inconvenience
to somebody. In all ol thorn there was certainly
something objoctioiujblo.
The question occurs, Is any ono or th^m practi
cable? There is un old couplet?I think it is from
"Iho Travclior"?which runs ujtor this lusliiou:?
Experience tells iu everv soli,
Aud those who think must uoverii those who toll.
London's csdhuokou.sd sybtkm.
Now let us thluk a little while the toilers alter
"rapid transit" are at their work, and while thiukiug
let us gain something by experience. We Hud it in
Louuou, a city where "rapid transit" begun beiore
we eveu thought ol' horso railroads in our
grant cliy. Tho great huart ol I.ondon Is
called the "Metropolitan District" Its boundaries
aro well dellned, and "thus lar no further," smth net of
1'arliauicni, shall steuin transit no above the ground.
On that boundary lino you llnd nil tho great terminal
Kuittous which eouoontrato in that immense city.
They sought to euter the hallowed ground, but only iu
one instauce was the privilege granted. A road was
allowed to cross the city near tho old Temple Bar. 1 ho
company was, however, requirod to purchase tho right
ol way. Unity leet on either side ol the truck
was condemned. i'lio road cut through iho
Ulocks nut while tire property was condemned it was
not coullseuted. It was by process ol law. through
the instrumentality of the courts, bought and paid lor
at its lull market value. Damage done to property
not within the cohdomuod twit was itkowlso paid for
as detei miuou by a jury. Tho road was built It is
callow a viaduct road. It Is ot solid masonry. When
completed the trains ruuning over It made so muou
noise that peoplo lied the neighborhood as
II a postilence had come among them, tiuiil
tlually by anothor act of l'urltumout, tho
company was compelled to take up tueir runs and lay
boneuth them two tool ol cluuers in ordor 10 deaden
tuu sound. And thus euded elevated railroads iu that
city. A more diilicult aud oxpeusive expedient was
then resorted to in order to moot what had uocome a
public necessity. 1 hey tunnelled beneath the ground,
and thus made a road to connect the great railway
bullous. And now au underground road about
ci-hteeii miles In extent encirclos tho city. 'I bey
aro oven now extondiug it underneath
the famous London docks, und in that gasllt tuunel wo
llnd rapid truusit in deud earnest. Tho ruils are ol tho
heaviest metal used lor such purposes. The locomo
tives nrn sixiy tous weight, una so heavy uiul power
lul are they that within the length ol a truiu &ul) leet
long a speed of twenty miles tho hour can bo ob
tained. Between tho stations, which are from u quar
tor to hall a mile apart, tlioy may reach a speed o!
sixty miles tho hour, and como to a dea d stand
wublu tho tram's length.
TUU COST OK TUXNKLL1NO.
Now, tho cost ol this tunnel, which runs underneath
houses! public buildings, str.eets, p?rks?auywheru I
und every whore?costs nearly $a,OuO,ooo per mile, unit j
yet so great is tho travel througn It that a lair divi- j
doud Is mitdo on tho investment I trust tho commit*
tee will pardon me lor this digression. We have seen
that uu elevated road, bunt ou solid uiasoury, w?? con
demned lu Loudon as a public nuisance, ou acoouut of
tt.u uoise muao by the passing trains, aua was uol al
lowed to couiinuu running until thai nuisance was in
bouto messuro abated. Wo have goon theui go there
under ground. The bill beiore tho committee pro
v| Je? lor this sumo thing. What aro the objections
against it? In the Urst place It is said that 11 will in
jure the streets; lu the second placo it will lujuro the
uujucoui property; in the thlid place it will luterlero
Willi tho sewerage, also the water iiudgas pipes; lu
tho fourth place Ihe money eauuot Uo collected lo
build it; in the filth place uothing has been ac
complished although tho charter has boou in
?M-unce several years; aud lastly my
iriend from Ir'ranklln (Mr. Gilbert) caps iho
cluuax ol objecliou by uecluring tuo bill irticousluu
tiouat II any of these objections wore truo In luct 1
would be the ilrst lo coudemn tho uieosuro. Hut they
are uol irue except in this?thai ihe company has
Cone nothing. They have railed uo mouey. I'liey
have issued no certiorates ol slock as I nm inlormeU.
Fruciically tho scheme siauda where It did in the be
u ni.ing But they have lallen on evil times. Km bur
r isaiuenu have beset every interest during tho
pa-t three year*. Very lew enterprises here
n.et with encouragement, aud thoir excuse is valid.
1 li.s bill simply extends iho charier. It gives theui
another uliauoe?another lease ol lilo, so lo *pcuK. It
gives Ihe puulic another hopo lor real rapid truiisit,
?olid and substantial. As to tho constitutionality ol
the measure I have only lo say this?that I am not a
lawyer, while my Iriend Irom Franklin, Mr. tiilbort.
ut; aud yet 1 Call tell him what, us a lawyer, he ought
lo* know, uuit that id that the Court <?1 Ap
poela have, over and over again, docided that lo exleud
a charter already granted is not lo lull willnu Ihe con
st itm .ouil prohibitions. Aud this statement no lawyer
ou this tloor will question. As lor injury to tho street,
1 think it has hocu well snowu that nothing ol the kind
would Uko place. 1'liere would nol even bo tho slight
est luterruplion lo travel w bile tho toad was being cou
structed. II aunh luterrupliou could possibly occur,
or rather, 1 should say, not coriuiui.v provldeu
araiurt, 1 could hardly veuturo to luco my con
? litueuts, among whom this great highway runs,
alter auvoealiiig mis measure. Ilul ibey do not
oppose It. So remonstrance comes to us Irom the
properly holders in the district I represent, nor iu
any other touched by the Broadway i;ne, so lar at
least as 1 ain aware. I never yet ho.nu anyone ou
Uroauwsy seriously object lo It. Property 111 Loudon
is uonnjured nor disturbed by the underground ruil
wajs, nor will it bo by auy such road lu ihe cliy ol
New York, where, in consequence ol the lewuess
ol lUe streets ruuning up and down tho
nflaud, wo must, wnen we gel real, solid, rapid trunsll,
either go uuuerground or cui a solid roadway through
the biocks. There is lio complaint atiout injury lo
property uiouii the hue ol the Fourth avenue improve
ment aoove Vorty-secoud street; Iliero is no com
plaint against a somewhat similar sliucliiro iu the city
of St. Louis; there is no complaint iu London, anu
alter exumiuiiig the ftiuudalioue ol the lolltesl build
tugs ou Broadway competent engineers have decided
thai uo harm would bu Uouo even to the graud old
walls aua maleslic spire of 1'riuity Church. ?
ONLY TIMS A-KMI.
Now, Mr. Chairman, in conclu-lon, I havo only to
repual that tho projeclois ol this railway 1:04110 bore
ouiy to ask au extensiou ol time wherein to lullli
thoir obi gatiuiii. I believe they Calllu In good laith.
They asked mo to present their petition to the As
sembly, aud I did so, alter carefully inquiring Into
the leasib.lity ol such a project 1 may be mistaken,
but 1 think lliu woik can oe done, and that tney
will earnestly and laiily try to do it. tllvu them a
Chance. I ho Meuato hue already p .? .o.| tho bill hy a
vote 01 !?0 10 1, and 1 do not ?ee. nor have I vet heard,
any sullicienl roasou w hy wu should uol lollow tneir
example.
A word more and 1 h;.vn done; an 1 1 ray this word
because mv position with regird la the m iller ol rapid
transit has hocu somewhat m<-uudereio'd. 1 <1i'*ir? to
say thai I aiu iu lavor ol any and every scheme ol
rapid transit which the people may demand, wulcli
capitalists will pay lor, ami which d >o? not 10Uriere
with the rightsbl the prlvuie citix-u, as guaianloed lo
him by tho coiislilulion nu t the laws.
Mr. II. H. Unci;well lualsted that this company
nover intended to build a road, and as lo the Loudon
underground road, it wu* no more I le what Is proposed
in this charter than daylight is like lUrWnu. s. I'he
Lunduii tuuuol runs llirougli n substantial ?ubstriiluiu
ol roil, while this one would run through a mi l,
HWiimpy, unhealthy soil. The London lu inei is wnl. r,
higiier and more roomy than this one. Kpinols fol
lowed at much leui'lh in lav or of the bill. Progress
ou the bill was thou reported.
1IATI1) TliANSlT OPIWlTKlith-AIUl'lliXT ON
TI1K MuVlOIl FOJl AN UUVHOlloX AQAIMMT
THE BUOOKLTK HTKAM BOlt,
Justice Uilbert, at tbo Supremo Court, Circuit, Ktiu*
county, was occupied lor b. vurnl boura yesterday iu
lieuiing argument In the imli r ul tli. cutit Mpiaied
Bleu in roud oil Atluutic are title, liroofcly n. 'I he *ui?
Joct cumo u|? uu lliu tnutloo recent y made 10
?juiriiiK ttii! Long Inland una I . AtlMilt
Avenue K,. ilroad companies to ?liour cauev
why a permanent injunction Klmuld nut
isnui" pi olubitiiij! llioin ironi uaiug alitm lo< omollvc*
on lliu thoroughfare named. Couuat I lor miuiou stern
appeared on bolmll at lliu property oh uerm TIM conn
sol for tbo reapondciits wu* W. C. bllidtlei Tbo
legal Intcrcstrt ol ttio city of l)ruoklyn wire r< preientod
by Corporation CouiihvI 0|Will and Jmn II. KuootrcU
Mr. Sum. In opening 111* uddrcM, ?aid ihui, notwitb
Htaficl I iik ilm I ltd iliat Mih Honor euatice Otloert i?p?
pcarcd ua eouim^i lu urrangiug tbo M*ea*mcui iu 18'io
ul tbo Urookiyu und Janiuiea liallroud milter. bo ua?
Mati-llcd ii.ut Unit luct would not prejudice Him liuiior,
| nor W11.1 it hufllcicnt ro.inon lor blm to retu?o to act m
! tins i iko. lliu principal nimuu wby Hit lujuuotioii
wit* procured ut 11?. ny wim ironi the I act that
' ba do,;red to have it lienrd nt u i mm distant Ironi u
j com in it ii 11 y wlioao mind I* luu-.ed in luvor ol rapid
1 traniib Ibo Attorney Ueneral bud ut mm liino naked
tb? <|U?*t oh vthal udriioi ',.o tlioru wai in tukiiiK tb?
I cum m Aihuoy lor tin' piirpiMo mi dtsenaMrig it. 11 tbo
* matter could be diauu*M(l In tUii district, and
| eoutiael hud told him tli.it It was h^MWiuui
to iiuvtt u lienriug in n dUtrut where
i popular clamor ?M ol tucli uu Insout.ite
character llmi It wua willing to Sacrifice private runt*.
Tbo Attornuy Uluonl then couaeotvd to u iuodiii>..i
| lion ol tbu injunction, Dot iliut tbu relator* cuuuudud
anr of tbeir rights, but lor Iho public good and public
I travel.
Jurigo Gilbert said ihore was nothing that wouid
' jubiiiy bis withdrawal from bearing the motion. lie
?ras conscious of no bias either way, and any remark
which seemed to reflect oo the fairness of a judge, he
felt, was i? be deprecated.
Counsel for tho plaintiff. Id the suit of Mr. A. S.
Baruea. odd ol tho principal property owners on the
| liuu of Atlunllc avenue, then urguud thai the
i Long Island Railroad had contracted with
| the property holders nover to ruu steam cars
! on tnat uvuuuo, and ihut tho act under
I which tho couipauy were to ruu was a private
I and local measure. Counsel read several aflldavitn
[ sctling forth the damaging ollect of ruuulng steam
cars on Atlantic avenue Mr. tilnsdale preaented his
own atllduvil, staling that the fee was purchased oy
tlio old Brooklyn and Jamaica Railroad, and that the
Atlantic Avenue Company purchased it undor fore
closure. and the lormer named company leased it from
the Atlautic Avenuu Company, 1'be part of tho
avenue on which steam was not to bo usod wus
principally between Flatbusb avenuo and tbo South
ferry. The Long Island Company did not receivo any
componsatlou for tbo dlscoutinuanco ol steam, they
having assented to tbo action ol tho Brooklyn and
Jamaica Kullroad. Argument was made by the several
counsel, uftor which tho Court look tbo papora and re
served liecisiou.
RACING IN ENGLAND.
COKOBESS THU WISHER OK THE INTERNATIONAL
STEEPLECHASE AT BANDOWN PARK.
London, April 28. 1877.
This was the third and last day of tho Sandown Park
second spring meeting, tho chief evont being the Grand
International Steeplechase, a handicap, for which there
was a Hold of oight startora. Tho raco was won by
Captain Mucbcll's brown gelding Congress, by Compro
mise, dam Countess, aged, carrying 175 lbs.; Sir J. L.
Kayo's chcstuut gelding Tho Citizen, by Citadel,
durn Beauty, ti years old, carrying 143 lbs., second,
and Mr. A. Croiton's gray maro Sultana, by Thomas
town, dam Arab Muld, aged, carry lug 140 lbs., third.
The beltiug provious to tho start ranged at 2 to 1
against Congress, Citizen 3 to 1 and 0 to 1 against
Sultana.
The following is a
SUMMARY.
Tho great International Steoplccbaso (handicap) of
30 sovs. ouch, 10 I or fell, with ?00 sovs.added; winuers
ol uny huudlcup steeplechase after tbo weights are
declared (.Murch 29, at ten A. M.) to carry 7 lbs. ; ot 200
sovs., 0 lbs. ; ol 500 sovs., 12 lbs. ; ol SOU sovs., 14 lbs.
extra; the second to receive 00 sovs. out of the stakes
and the third to save his stake; the winner to pay 30
govs, towurd uxpeuses; entrance 3 sovs. ouch to the
fund; tho only liability if lorleit be declared by noou
ou Tuesday, April 3; about lour miles (40 subscribers,
27 ol whom declarod lorleit).
Captain MacheU's br. g. Congress, by Compromise,
dam Countess, aged, 175 lbs 1
Sir J. L. Kayo's ch. g. 1>ho Citizen, by Citadel, dam
Beauty, 0 years old, 143 lbs 2
Mr. A. Croiton's gr. in. Sultana, by Thoiuafitown,
dam Arub Muld, aged, 140 lbs 3
THK Wl.NNHR.
Congress has been a well-tried horso. Ho has not
bocn oil tho turf long, although an aged horse, coming
into notice last your and running eight races with very
good success, being victorious throo times. His llrst
appearance win at Croydon, In the Crnnd International
Handicap Hurdio Raco of ?1,255, two tnilos and a
quarter, when, in a Hold of twenty, ho landed seventh
at the Qnisli. Ho wus tried again at Llvorpool in tho
Grand National Stcoplcchaso of ?1,485, nearly four
miles aud a half, carrying 102 lbs. Ho was next tho
winner (Kognl) at tho llnlsh, with sovciitoon behind
him. Tbo next appearand) of O>ugrosa wus at War
wick In tho Grand Aunuiil Steoplechaso for ?500, lour
nil I us. Carry lug 104 lbs., ho won, boating Regal,
Shllnul, l'athllmler, Little Tom, Gerard aud liipplas.
For tbo Qrund Steoplechaso Challenge Cup ill Croydon,
Congress hud u walk over, and he then was uiken over
to Franco, nnd rail in tho Gruud Strcplecba.so do
Paris at Aiitouil, about throo miles und three-quarters.
With 170 lbs. on bis back ho linisbed third, Veutri
loguo and Chimney Sweep being in front and thirteen
behind him. Cougrcss then had u "let up,'* until ui
Liverpool, In November, ho ran and won tlio Grand
Sopton Stooplochase, about throo miles, with 175 lbs.
on Ms Inifck, bcniiug nine oibers. At Croydon, Novem
ber 30, ho started In tiioGrc.it Metropolitan Slcople
chase, about four miles, and finished lourih. the raco
being won by I'ndo of Kildaro, Wild Monarch second,
Lancet third, Congress carrying 28 lbs. u;oro than tho
wiunor. Congress flulshod tho ycur iu the Great San
down Stoeplucbuso, about lour miles, by running
second to l'altu, carrying 175 lbs. while iho winner had
but 150 lbs. on his back.
TROTTING IN CALIFORNIA.
Sax Francisco, April 28, 1S77.
A Los Angolos despatch says that tho match be
tween Goldsmith Maid and Rartis to-day resulted In an
OHsy victory for the Maid iu thrco straight beuts.
Time, 2:22>i, 2:10 and 2:10.'.,.
RACING IN TEXAS.
Gai.vkito.v. April 28, 1877.
Tho spring meeting of the Galvestou Jockey Club
opened to-day. Tho track was in lino condition.
TilK FIRST RACK,
a milo and a quarter dash, resulted In a dead heat bo
twiton Klla Rowotl and Goortro Qiimiuo; Hollo Barkley
nurd. Tho purso was divided bolweon tho two former
horses.
TUB SltCOM) RACK.
For the Oleander lakes, lor throc-yoar-olds, tnilo
heats, w is wou by General I'lilllips in two straight
hoaU. In tho lirsl bout Methodist came iu second uud
Humbug third. In lite second heal Conrad was second
and John McCoy third.
Tluio, 1:48?1:45 b,.
Tiui latest failures.
ROBINSON k CO.'S BCSPENBION?EUMOUS OP
RESUMPTION.
The suspension of Messrs. Kugeno N. Robinson A
Co. did not receive a great deal ol attention Irotn Wall
street people yesterday. 'I lie checks, it appears, wero
secured, and ttieroulter.llttlo notice was taken of the
alia rs ol tho tlriD lieyoud u curiosity to know whether
it would rcsumo toon or what was the extent of Us
losses. Neither ol ibeso things could bo ascertained
by Inquiry ut iho olUi.es of the Urm. During the day
stccks to Iho amount ol 14,:)U0 shares wore bought and
cold under the rule, and whether Iroui this cuuse or
some other, pricos In the market wore generally
higher during tlio day. The suspended llriu lorwarded
Iho lollowlng notu.cation yesterday .
To rm: I'ssjidknt Nkw Voim Stock Kxciiani.k
Siii -Will j uu plHHKU inform tlin member* ?>( tlie I-\
cliange tlint nil win. Iinve miy claim* against this (1 rm are
re.iuoili il lit iieud I lie In 111 111 cuoii 414 pu.bible.
We are, ynuri re.pecI! '.I I %. K. N. KOlll.VSON X CO.
.Mr M. A. Wiikki.ock. Cliulrmnn
Wo liuruliy authorise all parti** liming oiibluinllu^ con
tiuu nrlih lot to elunu ilium out under I lie rule* provided In
such 1'hi Oft. h. N. ll(JHt.\Su>i <u UU,
S01.U l.'NIlKIC rm It I LK.
The following Is a lint ol tliu stocks disposed of un
der iho rule.?ltbck Island, 1.200; Delaware, I.ucLa
uaun i and Western, u.SUO; J.uko Shore, rt.DOO; Illinois
Central, Mill; Michigan Central, -KU; Paul pro
furred, 6lK); Delaware ulld Hudson, 100; Neur Vork
Central. juu; Morris and Kssex, 100; Western I'niou,
luu. Total, 14.300.
ol tins amount one lot of 3,000 share* ol I.uke Shore
was disposed ol lor one man, nud lor auoilier 1,^00
shares ol Delaware and L..ckuwauDa. U is not be
lieved .hai mo drill's losses ou their more recent
tr .Dsnctiuus will bo very large, and it is vaguely stated
that tlicy ui i)' resume on I'uoadiiy or Wednesday, iho
statement was geneiully m ule yesterday that during
the rush prior 10 iho close of business ni the bauk in
which tlH'.v had their account many checks ollcred for
ei rtibl >I4> ii ??H r .ecie.l at au earn, r hour iliun that
011 which other-' were cortilled. Soma trouble, it was
said, might Iiavo arisen 111 oou-ei| nonce 11 all tho
check* had not i'o? n ma le good aubsequeutly, but now
tliu mailer u> considered wholly sel at rest.
Al xau.lor Leahe, grocer, ol Nowburg, N. V., has
made ail u'Kignmoiil lor Ihe bent-Ill ol Ins creditors,
l.inhililio.- staled at $30,000; assets about ('2U,UU0.
liiUVY VAlLUitU IN BOSTON.
Boston, April US, 1S77.
May h Co., the largest house in mirials and bard
war* here, have ? llnpoudcit. Liabilities, $(? .U,UUU. 'J'ho
(allure ia occasioned by bad debts and general shrink
si e during lli" paot lour years. Their own inebied
n<s> la principal!) in l'enusy Ivnula and ubroad.
LOCOMOi IVE EN GIN ELKS.
A large and enthusiastic uncling ol locomotive cti.
gin eel- and I: renin representing the vafloiiB railroads
centring 111 New Vork, Jersey Cliy and Hoboken \v;i?
heiu in the rooms ul division .No. liV in Jvrsev City In.-1
night, resolution* wero adopted condemning the re.
ce.it action 01 the 1'hil.idelphla and Iteadiug ll.illft ait
?iillolals, which prohibits iho oujjnecrs ol that road
trout I'Olongiiig lo Iho brotherhood ol Locoim live
KhgiDeers, and gusranleeiii ; the .? ttpport 01 the broth.
oruood ?nd lirenieli n nil legit ellorts to prevout
the auvMovsiul carrying out ol mo oouoxiou* order by
the railroad Company.
A private member of Ilia brotherhood, u ho arrived
iroiu I'liiiudelpltia lul night, st.it d that u Is rue secret
meeting ha<i ou< u lioul in Hie rooms ol division No.
71, 111 that cliy, yesterday. Comniiuees representing
foriy 01 Vis <>u? were present and much enthusiasm
prevailed. The Intel'ng wss presided over by Grand
Liuei K?fUM ? r Art bar.
Another meeting is announced tor to-morrow even
ing. in Horticultural Ilail, l'hiladelphla.
ATTKMl'iJ 1) incendiarism.
I,ale lust uigtil Officer Quinn, of tho First precinct,
dlscoteied 11 ?pi.tUlliy ol shavings and ulilps couceuled
mi the lourih landing ol No. cu Nassau street, having
1 videuii> beon placed there lor Incendiary purposes.
The budding 1* occupied ai: offices. 1 ho police could
Owtaiu no c.?>v to uim Aould-bo mcendury.
Flurry in the House of Commons?Mem
bers Threatened with Expulsion.
WAR BETWEEN POLITICIANS.
Canadian Pacific Railway?Report of the
Engineer-in-Cnief.
HOCUS OF COMMONS. )
Ottawa, April 10. lt>"7. f
Duritg the last two days the House ot Common* lias
bceu In nil unusual slate of ferment, rnoro than a
usually angry loellna having been geuoruted by the
efforts to Impeach mo in burs on both sides, ana. If pos
sible, drive them from thoir seats. The situation will
bo better understood If I quote at the outset a soction
or two of what is known as the "independence of Par
liament Act," pass 01! in 1308. After reciting that no
person holding an olUco ol emolument under tlio gov
ernment of Canada shall be a member of the House of
Commons, except members of the 1'rivy Council, one
Commissioner of the Intercolonial Railwuy and offi
cers of tho Army and Navy, the uct proceeds:?
"No person whosoever, holding or enjoying, under
taking or executing, diroctly or Indirectly, alono or
with ouy othor, by Himself or by the interposition of
uny trusteo or third purty, any contract or agreement
with Hor Majesty, or with any public officer or depart*
uienl with roepuct to tho public sorvico of Canada, or
under which uny public money of Canadu Is to bo paid
lor any sorvico or work, shall bo eligible as u member
ol the Houso ot Commons, nor shall ho sit or vote in
the same.
"If uny member heroby disqualified or doclared in
capable of being elected a member of tue Houso ot
Commons is novertholess elected and reiurnod us a
member, his oloctlon and return shall be null and void.
"And if any person dtsqualiilod or declared incapable
of sitting or voting In tho House of Commons, by tho
first, second or third seotlons, sits or votes therein, he
shall thereby forfeit tho sum of $'J,000 for each ana
overy day ou which he so sits or votoi, and such sum
may bo rocovored from him by any porson who will |
sue Tor tho sumo, by actlou of dobt, plaint or luioriaa
tion, in any court of competent civlljurisdicilon in Can
ada. if auy member of (he Mouse of Commons by ac
cepting any olllco or becoming a party to any coutract
oragroomont bocurucH disquulilloa by lnw to continue to
sit or voto in the same, his election shall thoroby be
come void, and tho scat of such member shall bocomo
vacated and a writ shall forthwith issue for a uow elec
tion us 11 ho woro naturally cloud."
STRINU KNT POLITIC A f. ttOIIAJ.S.
From tho foregoing It will bo observed that tho Ca
nadian law roguiutnig tho eligibility of members of >
Parliament is us stringent as lunguugo can possibly
nmko It, and that thoro Is no loopholo ol osoupo for
any mun who nas permitted himself or his partner or
agent to coutraot with or reoelvo money from tho gov
ernment. Tho Klcction law ondeavors to euforco uitn
Uar purity ut the haliot box, and although thoro are
occasional instances of Its evasion it Is u noteworthy
and a singular fact that evon tho purchaso of a glass ol
beor lor a voter, with a view to secure nis sullrage,
has boon frequently hold sufficient to annul the elec
tion and muko a cuso for tho courts. It Is under the
first named law thut both tho government aud the op
position nro uow eugugod In a protracted wranglo
which beforo it ends may rosult In vacating a dozen or
more gouts by peremptory dismissal or by resignation
To an American familiar with the machinations ol tho
Congressional lobby and tho manipuluiious 01 a email
mobiller, and not fatiuliur with the safeguards mat are
here compelled to exist around the honor or every
public mau, It seems tho height ol absurdity that bo
cuube his merchant partner, without his knowiedgo,
huts received $10, $16 or $'J0 lor an old stove, a bit
ol furniture, a liaudlul ol stutiouerv or what not, a
member should thereby Joopnrdizo or lose nis beat In
tho Commons. Yet it is even so, aud no matter whether
the sum bo among tho vulgar fructlous ol a picuyune
trade or tho thousands of a rallwuy contract the
principle aud tho result urosternly the same.
For me moment tliere is u cau.-o whicn underlios
this inquisitive search into men's business relations
uud demand to show olouu iiuuds. A yeur^or two hence
an election takes place winch Is likely to prove one ol
tho bitterest ol the kind that has occurred siuce
Canada became a conlederatiou, and when the govern
ment will probably be put to :ts mettle to Inuiutuiu
Itself beloro the peopitS. Hence every cllort is being
made by ttjo re.ipoutivo parties* to break tiowu una
bring discredit on lUe oilier. Men whose characters
in other respects uro above roprool, uud who huvo
served their country through long icruis ol oillco, v?in
ning the regard of oveu their poluiuul adversaries, are
boitig as nulled with u venom and a bitterness thai is us
disgraceful to political life as it Is contemptible from a
moral point ot view. I have already wrillou concern
ing the endeavor to drag from his high position the
Speaker ol the Houso, because, (or.-oolu, us iho propriu
tor ol u provincial puper, he took an lumgnillcaiit con
tract lor apart 01 the public printing. Yeatorduy, as
a retaliatory measure, 0110 ol tlie followers of
the government brought tho churgo ugainst tho
lion. J. M. Currier, a member of 1'arliumont
Irom Ottuwa and a member of the opposition, mat nis
linn hud -.old lumbec to some ol the public olltciul*. 1
may add bore jiar purentliense thai Mr. Corner is a Now
Knglund mun, whocuuiu hero when tho city was iu its
inlancy, and us it mcreased lu population grew to
wealth himself. For thirteen years lie has occupied a
seat in ino House ol Commons, and as was well suiu in
a speech by his colleague, Mr. Alouzo Wright, "a
more Kindly, amlaole and uouorablo geiitleinan never
existed. It is uuiair tout lite governmeut, alter it
has made a purchase iroui the honorable member's 1
llrm, without his knowledge, should u.-o thai lact as a
means ol un.,eatluif him ' Mr. Currier promptly uiet
the allegations ol the government 101 rets iu the loiiow
lug iu. uly letter, tvhich may bo coiniuuuUed lor us
honesty uud iraukuocs to some ol our members of cou
(ire.-s, Hud. alier reading the same to tho Houso,
quietly locked tin, desk, oowed to the Speaker, aud
umid loud upplause irom botu sides, retired irom the
Chamber without a turn upon ins escutcheon. A writ
Ol election was immediately issued In uccorduuce with
tho Iuw and the oustoui, uud it is probable that he w ill
bo returnua to i'uriiuaiottt by u large majority.
KKSIU.NATJO* OP HON. UK. CIKKIKK.
Ottawa, April 19, 1877.
TlIK II0.10UAHI.K IIIK SpLaKKR Of TIIK lloL'SK Or I OH
HO.is, UTTAW V
?IU -i hare tile honor to (lute to 7011 that on the 1'Jtli
ln?i. 1 received notice Irani Mr. Laurier, it tiiemlier of thin
liouee, Unit liu intended to make 11 statement ou ihj floor
of tlu< Uouae lo the eJfect mat iwo tlrina ol which I w?? a
MHllwr h id entered into contract* or uirreemonis with the
goveruiuriit or officer* tlierenl lor atippiylni; lumber, wlucli
ttnti inaiit the lionora'jlo member uiaae In lue llouao ou the
Hih iiiat., itud thtfii'iuKiu ihit mtid mutter wnii relerred to
tlu> Committee < n Privilege* >ud Klectiun*.
Uulll tilt- receipt ul thul communication I waa not aware
that the hualiiew truu?a lluu* Htenlu leierrud to bait taken
place, mid I never pertoiiuUy took any part whatever In
reference to them or any oi theiu.
1 lmve. However, now aaueriained, on inquiry into th%
dreumiUMM, that Hie ilrm ol I'. VV. i.'urrier .t Co.
(ol which 1 wai> ai that time it partner, though not it 11
uillve oijui.oii the J lilt of May, ld74, received an order
from Mo Director ol 1 'eulttUllar ie? for good* for the St.
Vincent de Paul Penitentiary, uuioiintiiii; to .jS1.71V 10,
which were nui>i>lip?l in June. 1H74, and paid for In .Inly,
|s7o. 1 a!*o Uml the (inn ol Kalinin .V 1'urrlnr, of which I
am a member. fnlOlleil aevcrul a 1 it M11 order* lor I u 111 Oer for
tho Utrary of Parliament, between Januitiy. 1874. and
Septeiuher, IH75, amotistlujf in all to &ii?7, bin in each euae
without my pi riiiiu.il euKnurtiu-e.
Beini; advlnud that I ni.ij have, by tlioao tmnaactloha,
1111 willingly vaunted my ite.it in the Hi use of Couiuibna,
under the provialoua of thu Iiidepdudenco of Parliament
net, I leol it iu) duty to iixtily you ol tlio laet a lor me In
formation of the Iknue, and to place my rual;(ua,lou In
your band*.
1 have the honor to bo, air, your obedient not v.int.
J. M CUIUUER.
S iico the resignation ol Mr. Currier null further re
taliatory luviieuruii have boon reported 10, and as 1 learu
to-night Home twenty-elflit oiuioa are ponding, ivuich
tho opposition uro determined lo preaa ou the govern
tnuUl. I he coiihci|Uuuco will duublletia ^e, thai lor
?cverul dtt)'* to coiue an unusual waahllig ol dlriy
Imeii will t.iku place 011 both aide* 01 the House, ami
that fouio ol tho most distinguished among the com
moners will lltiil the Independence ol I'ariiameut
act bunging like a mill atone around their n?cks.
ThK rA>aiiia.n pacific railway.
Hy the kindness ol Chief Engineer Mr. Sanfortl
Fleming, 1 have boeu'supptiod Willi au adv.illco copy ol
hi* report ol the survey uiul preliminary operations
on tlio Caiindiau 1'uciliu Killway. It i* too long to
jjubli.-U iu lull, but ilie follow Hyuopeis will convey
11 general idea ol tint progi >. .> ol the work:?(join*
lileuced iu 1S71, these surve.t a have extended over n
period ol six years, und they now aireteli iroiu the
valley 01 thij Ottawa, west ol the cupiUI, to thai portlou
ol the l'uciilc coatat lying betweeu Alitalia ou ihu north
mid the Stralta ol Mu Juan do Kucu on the souih.
Coot* Mmiltly thoy embracuu lleld ol ini|iiiry t xlenaing
over o4 de^reea ol longitude, limited hy IU dugioea ol l?i
ltude. 111 u threeroRiena into wlncn Natnro dmdividod
tlio torrimry to be iruvornoil by the railway niny ho
dc.iir.iitticd 114 the woodland, the prairie und the moun
l tiuu rigions, und their speuidc aliuriicturiatica are
| Ktroh. lv marked. Moat 01 ilia ceutrul or pinirio re
gion liaa been repentedly traveraed hy HCientillo ex.
i ]fhirers unil ltd eluiracieriatica well underatood; hut
| much ol tlio ) 1101111 in 111 und woodland regioua nave been
until rec.i nily unvlaited and unknown, l'o a great ex
tent both wero held to ho rugged and Impenetrable.
The expenditure for llieao aurveya up lo December,
ISTtt, during the alx yeura, baa heeu (3,1M, 104.
k KXHLOItATIOX*,
1 tie report alatoa that the cxnminatlona have not
all been ol tho anmo cliaracier, being Uiciatcd accord
ing 10 ciroumataiMoa ami varied ua expediency aug
goated. I hey may ho cliiamflod tnua:?1. Kxplor.i
iioiih; '1 kxploruiory ?urviya; 3, Koviyod aurvuya;
4. Trial ioaatione{ 6. 1.oration aurveya; and 0. He
Vlaed locations.
At tlio cotaiucncemcnl of tho aurvey all the aourcea
of Information open to inquiry witb regard to tbo
p-jsses through tbo Hooky Mountains were enurilt.-d,
au I alter carilul examination It appuared that the two
passes k:;own as tho Howse aud tin Vellow Head pos
sessed advantages which, taken in conjunction with
tbo approaches to tbem, beat warrauted further ex
animation. It was moreover evident that tbe obsta
clou wtiicb Intervened botweeu the passes and Mo
coast ol British Columbia wero of ? very serious char
acter, and that the selection ot the pass through tbo
maiu Kocky Mountain rangedeponded on tbu discovery
ol a practicable line acro.-s tbe whoie mountain region.
Alter various examination* tbo Vellow Head Pass WM
for tbe time selected. ll was lurther found that it
was possible to reach tbe coast by ibo course aud out
let of *ho rivers Ttiompsou and Fnuor, tno line ter
minating at an exoellent harbor on Uurrard Inlet It
was discovered that portions of tbe route through tbe
Hocky Mountain region would be expensive, yet that
the eugluoering features winch govern tbo cost of
operating a railway find transporting goods gave promise
o! bolng tnucb moro favorable on tbe Canadian than ua
the American route. Tbe UniteJ States Pacific Kail
whv attains an altitude above tbe seu at four different
points, luily double the height of tbo groat conti
ueutai summit ou the Canadian lino, and for 1,300 con
secutive inlles I bere Is uo alt: tudo so low on tbe rail
way between San Frauclsco and Now York us tbo
highest summit of the line through the Yollow Head
Pa-s. With respect to distance it was ostlmated that
Iroin llurrard lnlot to Montreal will bo 033 miles Ices
than from San Francisco to New York.
THK DIFKXHKNT KOl'TKS.
It was at the same time estimated that tbo Canadian
routo would bring New York, Boston and Portland
(rum 300 to 500 miles nearer tho Pacific coast at ltur
rard Inlet than these cities now are, with San Frau
euro as the terminal point of the Union I'aeitlc. The
distance from Kngland to China would be more thau
1,000 nuloa less by tho Canadian thau by tho American
line.
Ten routes bavo boeu opened for consideration, all
oi which terminate on the coast oI the mainland at
seven distinct harbors, aud tboy all converge to Yel
low Head Pass. Tho hue is located with sufficient ac
curacy to admit of tho construction of the overlund
telegraph. In tins way of survey upward ot one
thousand mou were employed, and tlio routes explored
amouiit in tue aggregate closo on to 4U.OOO tujes ol
wuigU.H,>>00 have ooeu laboriously measured, yard by
yard, through mountain, pruirlo and foresi, with spirit
level, chain uiid transit. In conclusion, Mr. flaming
says that although several routos Irom tho mouutaius
to tho coast are available it cannot bo claimod that
any line lias been found upon which, in some purts ot
us course, no serious difficulties are met
The iiilorcucc* to ho drawn appear to point couclu
sively to u choice ol two distinct courses?thoselection
ol one of tho two routes which ilrst reach tho Pacific
waters at liurrard Inlet and at Buto inlet, or the post
ponement ol a decision ruspectiug the terminus uuul a
lurther examination Is mado on land and water to
determine a more eligible route. From presotit
appearances it Is believed tuat Parliament will bo pro
rogued about tbo 1st ol Muy. Members are evidently
becoming weary aud impatient, and as they draw no
salary alter the first thirty days there is little induco.
ment to remain an hour longer thau Is absolutely
necessary.
WASHINGTON.
GENERAL WASHINGTON DESPATCHES.
W'AdiiiXGTO.v, April 2S, 1ST".
HIVEK AND HA 11B OK APPKOmiATIONS.
Tbo Kivor and Harbor Appropriation bill, approved
August 14, 1S70, it will be remembered, appropriated
lu tbo aggregate $6,016,000, but by au order of Pres
ident Grant tbe expenditures wore limited to
$2,000,000. Subsequent ullotmonts incrcosod I ho
amount to $3,8UO,yoO, leaving au unexpended balance
of $1,124,100. Tbo secretary of War recently received
from tbo Chief ol Kngineors tiie following .letter, which
was laid belore the President. and it has been dotor
miued to expend such balance at tbo points mentioned
lu tbo letter:?
Offick op tub Ciiikp of Exoixkirs, 1
VVasIII.nuton-, April 24, 1M77. j
To tbo Hod. GkorukW. McCkaiiy, Sooretwyoi War:?
Sin?I'ho act making appropriations lor thu con
Btructtou, repair, preservation and completion ol cer
tain public works on rivers ami harbors und lor other
purposes, approved August 14, 137t>, coutaius appro
priations ami. u nil lit! iu tbo aggregate to tho sum ol
$6,016,000. Tho expenditures wore limited by ordct
ol tbo President, Soptomper 4, 1S70. to $2,000.ooo.
Subsequent allotments have, howevol-, been made
Irorn time to timo, increasing the amount mado avail
able up to this date to $J,800,U'.K), leaving a baianco
still withtield ol $1,124,100. The season lor active op
erations iu all parts ol mo country is now at baud,
and It Is very desirable that preparations be made
lor commencing work. In order that all available
means may bo secured lor a vigorous prosecution dur
ing tbo ensuing summer. Tho river and barbor works,
thu appropriatioutt lor which have uol yet been made
available iu whole or iu part, uro for tbo improvement
of harbors or ciiuniiels which are navigable waters of
tho United dialog, and all tho Improvements are to a
greater or less degree important In tlieir bearing
upou tlio interests of navigation and commerce. I
bog leave, thereioro, to recommend that tboso appro
priations, the expoudlturo ol whicu has not been au
thorized, amounting to $1,1-!,loo, be uow mad*
available. A statement is appended containing a list
ol thu works referred to, wiiu amounts ot appropru
lions yet unallowed. Very respect! uliy, your obedient
servant, ? A. A. HUMl'HKKVS.
Hrlgadter Geueral and Chiel ol Knjiineers.
The following is a statement ot amounts ol appropri
ations yet unallotted:?
! uIutii, Miun., balance $9,000
Falls oi St. Anthony, balance 4'.?,ouO
Keii Hivor ol the North, amount appropriated.. lu.ooo
M.SBiBStppi Uiver, above Ka.ls ol St. Aulbouy,
amoiihl appropriated 20,000
Minnesota Uiver, auiounl appropriated lO.uoO
untonagoii, balauce I4,oo0
Kaglu, amount appropriated 12,000
Marquette, balance 1,000
Chicago, balauce. 4.000
Charlevoix, amount appropriated lo.uou
Praoklort, amouiil appropriated 8,000
Manistee, amounl appropriated 14,000
Lmllugtou, amouut appropriated D'.OoO
i'euiwuier, ayiuiiiH appropriated 10,000
White Hivcr, balance 4,000
.Muskegon, amouut appropriated 16,000
black Lake, amount appropriated 16, ooo
Sau^atuck, balance ; l,'oi;0
St. Joseph, balauce 4,000
SL Mary's Itiver uud Kails Canal, amount ap
propriated 130,000
Sheboygan, amount appropriated 10,000
Thuuiier Hay, amount appropriated 4,300
Monroe, amount appropriated 6,000
Toledo, balauce 87,500
l'ort Clinton, amouut appropriated 6,0oo
Sandusky City harbor, <)., balauce 12,.>oo
Vermillion harbor, <>., balance 4,000
Ash tabula harbor. O., amount appropriated.... 5,000
Dunkirk Harbor, N. v., balance 15,600
Wilson Harbor, S. V., amouut appropriated.... 10,000
Oak Orchard Harbor, N, Y , amount appro
priated 1.200
Polneyville Harbor, >. Y., amount appropriated. o,000
Great Sodus Hay Harbor, X. V., amount appro
priated 6,000
Little iuoui Hay Harbor, N, V,, amount appro
priated 6,000
Oswego Harbor, .V. V 60,000
Burlington Harbor. Vu, balance 14,'ooj
.Suiinoij Uitrbor, Vu, aiuouut appropriated . 2 00J
Hudson Uiver, N. Y? balance 24luOJ
Channel between Stat en Island and NewJercoy,
amount appropriated lo.OOO
Hurllugion Harbor, Iowa, amount uppropriatod. 10,000
Kort Madison Ilaroor, Iowa, amount upproprl
10,000
Dubuque Harbor, Iowa, amount appropriated... li.OoO
Mississippi, Missouri and Arkansas rivers, but
26,000
White Uiver, Ark., amount uppropriuled 10,000
Ouachita liiver, l.a., balauce 11,200
Yazoo Kivor, Miss., bulaucu 14 400
Ohio Uiver, balauce. [ 66*000
Wabash Hlvor, Ju.l., amouut appropriated 70,00J
Little Kanawha Hiver, W. Va., amount appro
priated 72,jO
Hiaw.isse Uiver, Tonn., iimouut appropriated... 10.000
Moutli ol Mississippi Hi Tor, oulahco 10 I'OO
Chester Hlvor, Md., balance 4 00O
Uillimore Harbor, Aid., balance a.l,uoo
>V icoinico Kivor, Md., amouut appropriated... 6 000
Appouialox Uiver, Va.. balance loots)
New Uiver, Viu, amount appropriated " Jft'ooo
Capo Four Hiver, N. C., baianco ?>?? bw
South braucu ol Klixabeth Uiver, Vo., aiuouii'l " '
appropriated 6000
1,000
p.000
,6 00
,000
,000
uiiiiiICO 5 ilofl
Delaware Uiver below Petty s Island, balance!! 6.000
i if ^ . lli'' ",,J"UIU "ppropriatou lo.ooo
i'.' ,. !! IT'' h?"U- "PPropriaieii. 5,000
Kill Ui\tr llurbor, ,>lass., amount appropriated 111 oOC
New Hedford 11 .rbor, Mass., amount approprl
10 OU0
Little Narragausotl Hay, Jc 1? aniouui'au'i.'r'^
printed
!i,!!'|l!ULCN'ri<!.Vr0rCiMl'" a,nou"1 "ppropriatou!..! lo'ooC
II el fast Harbor, Me., auiounl appropriated 6 00O
ate" balance amount appropr,
Hosiou Harbor, baianco .'.'."!!.*.'* "to'ooo
ttxuminailons, surveys and couiiiigViicVeV bai- '
onuo 2S.000
T0Ul
A NEW COLLECTOB FOlt NEW OM.KVNd.
The contcst for tho Now Orleans Collectorshlp lias
terminated in tho appointment to that office ol Juilgo
John K. King. Judge King wnsaJudgo ol the Su
premo Court of Louisiana under the Kollogg.l'ackard
rrjime, ami gave place totx-Oongrossmau Spoucor,
who resigned Ins seat in the House under an appoint
uiout from Governor Nlcholls to tbo same position.
UOM.ItNUU KXl'XLh AHK.S UO I4K INVtgTIOATED.
(Jovornor Axtoll, ol New Mexico, against whom
charges were filed in tho Interior Department a lew
weeks ago, has now been beard Iroin on tbe subject.
He pronounces the charges groundless and dsmands ar
investigation.
AHItES'riNO RKNEOADE IMDIANH.
Agent Jobu I*. Clum, of tho Man Carlos, Arizona, ln?
dian Agency, roports by telegraph to thu Commissioner
ol Indiau Allairs that ho will leave tho Hot Springs,
New Mexico, on Monday nuxt Willi 4.T4 ol tho reneg.no
Chihuahuas, whom ho was directou to arrost with hit
Indiau police aud return to th? Sau Carlo* Aaesaf,