Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-04-18
EVENING STAR,
IHE METROPOLITAN RAILROAD
GEORGETOWN, April IL, 1855.

nhO"N, ApTfI !, 1000.
The apparent stern opposition of May
or Addison to any further appropriations,
on the part of our corporation, toward
the construction of the Metropolitan
Railroad, seems to have cast something
of damper upon the hopes of the friends
of that important work. We sincerely
hope, however, that the Mayor will, be.
fore the second installment to our sub.
scription falls due, reconsider the matter
and unite with the Councils in making at
least one more effort toward its construc-
ton We have always regarded him as
friend to judicious public improve
mentS; and as this road is the only one
that we could possibly engage in which
appears in the remotest degree to promise
any immediate or remote benefits to
Georgetown, it certainly would be suici-
dal upon our part to abandon the project
now after having gone to the trouble and
expense of procuring the charter, and
surveying and locating the route-in a
word, making every arrangement neces-
sary Tor the commencement of the work.
Moreover, our position would certainly
appear, in the estimation of the public.
rather ridiculous than otherwise were we
now to attempt anything like repudia-
ton.
That the subscription has more than
once been sanctioned by our citizens
there can be no doubt. Before any &C.
ton was had upon it by the Councils a
majority of the voters Of the town peti-
toned for it /; and on several occasions
after the subscription had been unani.
mously authorized by the Councils, and
sanctioned by the Mayor, and the appro.
priation of $4,000 made to meet the
first installment, the same gentlemen
who authorized the subscription and
made the appropriation were triumphant
ly reelected to their former positions.
Moreover, after the subject of an addi-
uonal tax for the special benefit of the
road had been agitated for some three
months, and thoroughly discussed in
public speeches and through the newspa
pers OF this town, two elections were had
for members of our City Councils, and
not single individual, to our knowl-
edge, was elected to either Board who
was not known to be friend to the road.
Again, Mayor Addison complains that
our Corporation debt is being augmented
by the interest accruing upon the S25, 900
which has been paid not being met. We
grant that this interest has not been met;
but why! simply because the means pro-
posed for its liquidation, has not gone
into effect, and will not until after the
taxes for the present y ear shall have been
levied, according to the act of Congress,
granting us additional charter powers.
After this tax shall have been collected,
it will, doubtless, be metimmedia;ely, as
we are satisfied that the rate Of special
tax authorized by Congress will, under
the late general assessment of the real
and personal property in our town, yield
amply sufficient to meet promptly the
interest upon the whole amount of our
subscription, when paid, and leave sur
plus to be applied to the liquidation of
the principal, if necessary.
While upon this subject, we would re-
mark that the President and Directors ofl
the road, at their last meeting, resolved
to suspend, after the first May, the sal
aries of all the officers, except that of the |
Secretary and Treasurer, whose services
it is actually necessary to retain.
SPECTATOR.