Proceedings of the Polytechnic Association. 919 



Why go down into tlie mud and quicksands, amidst the rocks of a 

 subterranean route ; or why trespass upon the crowded ways and 

 occupy private basements when there is ample room and verge 

 enough in the free air above in which to construct a dozen elegant 

 and substantial railways the entire length, of the island ? 



Why expend a score of millions in worJc prolonged througli many 

 years, when a fraction of the money will afford ample and substantial 

 relief in the same number of months ? 



Why undermine, tear out and blockade Broadway, or any other 

 great public thoroughfare, for an indefinite period of time, or subsi- 

 dize vast values in public riglits and private interests, when the way 

 is open for building city railways which ofter a quicker and. cheaper 

 means of transportation ? 



Public opinion is disposed to condemn all new things. It is con- 

 servative on inventions, and prefers to travel in old ruts. The 

 earliest propositions of all inventors, and great improvements in 

 every age, have at first met with .fierce opposition, ridicule and con- 

 tempt. 



The experimental railway in Green Avich street, and .the delays . in 

 its construction, have served to prejudice the public mind against all 

 elevated railways. 



Its motive power will p/obably be a failure. It certainly is not 

 the best. Endless wire ropes of half a mile in length, trundeling 

 over scores of pulleys and sheaves, never can be depended upon for 

 great speed and immunity from accidents. 



A stoppage in one part of theseropes wauld blockade the whole 

 road. 



Its method of alignment appears very imperfect, and it does great 

 injustice to that reputation which American constructions of iron 

 have everywhere acquired, "as proverbial for. lightness and sym- 

 metry, with sufficient strength for the uses required," But it is: the 

 first step toward the city elevated railway. • 



The first steamboat on the Hudson was not much like a St, John 

 or a Dean Richmond, and the earliest locomotive did not much 

 resemble those of the present day, but the idea in each instance was 

 a correct one. Let capitalists and inventors unite, and we may have 

 an elevated structure which will be the city railway of the future. 



The following is from the J^ew York Times : 



