Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-11-04
METROPOLITAN RAILROAD.

Messrs. GALES & SEAToN: GENTLEMEN: The friends OF
this important work have been looking with than
soliciude to the action Of your City Councils,
with confding hope that something would be done by
them favorable the progress road judge them
of disappointment when we learnt that resolution
had been offered by ostensble friend to the road adj
to subscription on the part Of the city Situated
as an remote from your city, it would be highly i'm
proper in to comment the action of distinguish
ed officer, to insinuate any thing derogatory
to his motives the contrary, (as understand from
the observations of writer in the Baltimore Sum- he is
friendly to the road and willing to assist in his peculiar
way So may it be-" But, as have taken and feel
deep interest in the Of the road, trus brief
commonsense view of the may be considered perti
nent at least ndecorous therefore request the
of portion of your valuable paper for that purpose
The charter Of Washington city forbds the corporate
authorities contracting debt without the consent Of the
voters within its precincts. Well, what does this imply
Why in my humble opinion, simply ths that when any
object Of great public Importance presents ITSELF requr
ing the expenditure of than is considered
available at the moment then the Councils shall leave
it the decision Of those voters, at their annual eec
ton, whether the city shall contribute or not And
the question s Is the construction Of the Metropolitan
Railroad of sufficient public Importance to your city
to render matter Of policy whether it be made not?
am entirely in the dark to the question before the
Councils but il it was, Shall make direct subscrp
ton to this road from the available means within
control? then any member justifable in offering
adverse resolution who believed it improper But
the other hand were member Of the Councils,
question Of such Importance should be for carrying
the spirit Of the charter, if not the letter. And what
by the spirit of the charter is this At the annual
elections understand there always many questions
Of local character be considered that influence voters
way the other, in their votes that it might ope
rate inurously to good have this question
mixed up with others and for this have heard
suggested that it would be better to have the isolated
question submitted at earlier day to the decision Of
the voters viz subscription to the Metropolitan Railroad
subscription. And, if the result proved favorable,
Congress could have possible objection to confirm their
decison If otherwise farther action would be useless
Now, if the Councils willing to leave the decision of
the question where the charter authorizes with the only
would relieve them individually Of all responsibility,
reef and enable those interested decide
ably to their wishes and in way conformable to the
most approved republican doctrine the will Of the mao
rity. Surely under Government win object
to that and may it be- had intended to have added
this subject but will conclude for the present
expressing hope that yourselves other friends
of the road better informed to the views OF your c
zens, will take 1t up and enforce it way accept
able your community than be expected from
friend and obedient servant, C.C.F
p s. Permit to add that think the fact should be
generally known that, as understand it, the Board o
Directors of the Metropolitan Railroad have unanimously
declared their desire that additional clause shall be
added their charter by Congress that the road shall be
extended the depot Washington and giving your city
authorities the privilege direct the location of the
by the most favorable acceptable route from Rocl
Creek to that point thus making ii truly the Metro
potan Railroad" Surely this should be satisfactory
| all interests in your city.