Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-02-16
Loo Al MS.

LAWS On TIE 4aItN ANDRlA AND w ASKING
ron RAILRoAD.--The following is the report
submitted to the city Council, on Tuesday
night, by the Committee on General Laws,
on the proposition to permit the Alexandria
and Washington Railroad Company, TO cen
struct branch of their road through the city,
to a point near the Depot Of the Orange and
Alexandria Railroad:
TO the City Council Of Alexandria:
The undersigned, members OF the Committee Of
General Laws, to whom was referred the commu-
nieation of James s. French, President of the
Alexandria and Washington Railroad Company,
aud act III reference % the Washington and
Alexandra Railroad" together with a resolution
directing said Committee 10 enquire into the expe-
diency of passing bill permitting the further ex
tension of Railroads through the streets of the
city, beg leave to submit tho following views in
relation thereto.
The communication referred to reuews the ap-
plication on behalf of the Alexandria and Wash
ington Railroad Company, for permission to eX-
tend branch of their road from Some point on
their main line 10 or near the depot of the Orange
and Alexandria Railroad, subject to such reStric-
tons as the City Council may impose.
II is urged that this extension is necessary, in
order to give greater facilities to the travelling
public, aud is rendered the more important in
consequence of the completion Of the Orange and
Alexandria road to Lynchburg. The petitioners
do not desire to change In any way their present
line for local travel, but merely to use the pro
posed branch III running III connection with the
passenger trains on the Orange Road
The act proposed for the action of Council, if
adopted, would confer upon said Company rights
and privileges not asked for in the communication.
The latter proposes to retain the present accom-
modations for the local travel. but the act propo
SEES a change in the location of the depot of said
Company, TO Il point different from that now occu-
pied The first section of the act provides amongst
other things, ''that the depot OF said company
for their passenger ami burden coys. locomotives,
De-. be established at some point west OF Henry
and north Of Duke street.. The communication
prays the granting of one privilege. and discaims
desire to change tho present arrangement for
local travel, yet the bill proposes to establish
their depot, at place several squares from where
it is now located. The bill is therefore quite OBJ
iectionable, in the fact that it proposes and au-
thorizes changes III the present arrangements oil
the company, that are not contemplated or asked
for in the communication. We are unable to ac
count for the manifest difference between the
grant asked for, and that proposed by the bill, en-
cept on the hypothesis that the company have not
been instrumental in presenting the BILL or that
their wants have largely increased since the date
of their communication. To authorize the change
in the location Of the depot of said company from
the position in which the people of the city placed
il in 1855, unasked by the company itself, would
be- the assumption of power, against the en-
pressed wish of constituents; and until the CT
tzens manifest desire to change the location OF
said depot. it is fair to presume, that they prefer
its present location.
The act, with few verbal amendments, in no
wise affecting its provisions, is therefore reported
to the city council for their action.
The communication asks for important prlVl-
leges and for valuable rights to this company
the granting of which, cannot but be of the deepest
Importance TO our city.
TO acquire private property for such purpose,
and to such an extent on the proposed branch road
would involve the expenditure OF many thousands
of dollars yet it is proposed that the city OF Alex
andria shall confer on a company in which she has
no interest whatever this important and valuable
privilege for the mere pertnacity with which they
pursue IT, and without compensation either 10 the
eity Of Alexandria or to individuals whose private
property may be seriously affected by it.
In 1853, when this road admitted within
the corporate limits, there was very respectable
majority against its admission ut all and out OF 10
votes there were but II, in favor OF allowing the
location as far as Alfred street, l2% for Columbus
street, and $50 for the present location. In 1897,
a majority of 242 out of ji4 voters opposed and
defeated the connection of this road with the
Orange road With such results, it is in our opin-
ion manifestly idle to again submit an almost
identical proposition to the people OF this city
1t will be full time to legislate on this subject
when any considerable number Of our constituents
ask for require ii.
II tho measure were in our opinion, calculated
in any degree to advance the interests or the pros
perity of Aexaudra, we might then yield doubt
ing assent 10 its conSummation But IN the alb
sence of such an inducemcnt, We cannot see now
the city Of Alexandria can, with any claim TO JUS
tice. be called on or be expected, TO sanction
scheme which cannot advance, whilst II may I'M
pair the interests and business welfare OF our ciy
To bring our city within more easy access TO the
people of Virginia, who had for years traded with
rs. as we'll "a with the hope of adding largely to
that class. the citizens of Alexandria, few years
ago with the corporate authorities, subscribed
largely over half million of dollars, to aid IN
the construction of two important railroads leading
from thor city into the interior OF the State. III
was the unanimous opinion Of our people that the
construction of two such roads, terminating here,
would restore to Alexandria her long lost prosper
ity. Her last hope was ceutered on these improve
ments, and to their aid she cheerfuly gave, (oy
the assumption of Il heavy burden) her full share
of assistance That the hoped for result has been
partially attained let the large portion of our pop
ulation who never knew the grass grown streets
of our city, attest That We reaping our hoped
for reward let the many respectable buildings,
which have suppantcd the old rookeries, that once
adorned our business centre, bear testimony. In
making subscriptions to these improvements, the
citizens of Alexandria were alone prompted by a
desire to add to the prosperity and business mpor
lance of the city, This was their single and only
purnose and az our purpose then was 50 should our
single object now be, so to shape our Legislation
as 10 secure that result. ii this Is not our cher
ished purpose and constant aim, and especially
If we allow others devise our plans ana 10 shale
our destiny, Alexandria may soon be dlStanced IN
the race to commercial mercantile Importance.
Then, what is this scheme 10 result IN Ger
tainly in much good to the Company applying
but how does il affect city II IS virtually II
not actually, to change the terminus OF 'he ro"u'
now here, to other points.
Had Alexandria, in the year lSi9 or 1850, or
at any other time been asked 10 subscribe Of her
means TO make II Railroad from the Long briaSe,
or from Washington city, through her streets ana
extending into Virginia, she would have Spnrned
the proposition And yet, this is about the sum ami
substance Of the proposition now pending: We
ARE asked by this Company to give them the use
of our s;reets-ior what purpose; Simply, that
the trade and travel Of the Orange road may be
landed with greater facility ut the south END "i
the Long Bridge. two miles from the PennSyiva-
mia avenue. with the hope tno doubt INDUCED b.
the Company that at some very indefinite period
thew NAV cross the bridge to the city OF Washing
ton. How is Alexandria interested IN aHordlhg
snch facilities? What has she to gain by grant
inc them Surely nothing. And ii we gam
nothing BY granting, and lose nothing by reiu:-