, 1860-07-18
THE VEsr SIDE RAILROAD QUESTION.
MEETING OF PROPERTY OWNERS

TIE numbers aud character Of the meeting
Of West Side property owners and residents
that assembled At West Market Hall list eve-
ming pursuant to cali, for the discussion Of ths
proposed ordinance allowing the railroads to
pass the bridge streets at grade, fully attessed
the importance Of the question, and thus was Il
merited rebuke to the thoushtlessness, to call
it by no worse a name, u hieh 50 nearlJ attained
ita end in the secret passage Of the ordinance
At a special meeting Of the Common Council
A. G. Throop WAS called to the Chair and
n. Root app ointcd Secretary. Ar. Tbroop,
on taking the chsir, made few brief remarks,
holding strong grounds against any permanent
crossing of,he streets at grade.
Ex.Mayos Hainea Was called out. he msde
brief reference to the railroad history Of Chi
cago. He referred to the fact thst the pefmis- |
sion granted to crosz the4s streets By tunnels |
was all the railroads asked, aud stated that the
Northwestern rreement in writ !
ing, under seal, to 10 stns its tracks.
He said the proposed crossing of these
streets at grade wonld involve serious and con.
slant pesils to life and limb. The amendment
Of the ordinance now sought to be passed came
improperly and in no legal way before Inc
Council. It bad never been before the counc'l
10 be referred 10 Committee, yst first came In
~ report Of Committee by AID. Myers.
d.. Lake offered resolution which, how
ever, was Withdrawn to give place to series III
the hands Of another.
Solomon II. Wilson. Esq. took the stand sud
| naade s:roug argument against granting th1s
later permission. The roads should be held to
their first stipulation. He presented reso-
Iutions which w.re seconded, but subsequently
| referred.
Paul Cornell, Esq being called on took view
Of the matter faroripg the change. He had but
one view Is to such permanent use Of these
streets, but as granted Temporarily and under
{ restrictions, he knew could be drawn 40 As
ITO be binding, he WAS in favor Of yielding
| 10 much to The Necessities OF the
roads. at the end Of the year the citizens Of
the West Side could better afIord to build the
tunnels themselves than to allow the roads ia
seek depots elsewhere. There was danger they
would yield to Inducements On the North shore
and leave the West Division. Ar. Cornell paid
tribute to the honor. integrity and nob!eness
Of Hon. Nm. u. Ogden all our citizens will en-
dorse-said that Mr. Ogden might be trusted in
this matter, and if lie says he will build the tun"
ne1s, he will do SO.
SIS. Hayes, Esq, thought it was for the uni-
! ted interest Of the Railroad Companies, and the
West Side that the uaion OF the tracks waa
sought The tracks should be laid through the
tunnels, rs originally asked. He believed the
Companies themselves would consider it the
finest t1aaa,t through city, to be found on this
continent lie referred in glowing terms to the
position and promise Of The West Division il
her interests be rightly guarded.
he was in favor Of the Chair appointing ar
Executive Committee to raise money, employ
counsel, consult with the railroads and will
. the Common Council aud report on the whole
, | subject to future meeting.
E. Van Buren,, Esq, said there was but OH
feeling Of harmony on the subject Of railroads
Everybody granted their importance Mr.CoE
nell had said The roads were too poor to tunne
the streets now. Can they bear the added ex
pense Of temporary tricks, laid at great cost
and then make the tupnels7
easier to grant privileges to q corporation tha
to terminate Them when granted. We gav
these roads all they asked in the permission t
+. construct tunnels.
4 Suppose We bind them 10 take up their trae
at the erd Of the year. They may go to th
= Council and ask, and perhaps get, the grat
i made perpetual.
The present ordinance, it passed, depreciate
=. | the property in the West Division Is per GER
He did not believe any disinterested person Il
vored the measure. It is fool;sh to believe ii
!. railroads seek the Vest Side to crafty apybod
hut themselves, and their own interests.
lie presented 3 rcmonstrance he had pr
X pared ready for signatures. This vi
y subsequently referred to Committe
P.W. Gates said be was IS much opposed
ic eny one TO permanent tracks over the street
d. but thought there were reasons ample why II
N temporary concession should be made, ~
rounded with restrictions that should make Il
matter sure If the question turned on layi1
Ia the track permanently across the streets,
IL would for one say let the roads 90 10 the Nor
ng Side. or where they might choose, but this v
not necessary.
~ Alderman Foas thought tnere was no dang
lis | in the temporary rant, but pledged his wo
d. to respect tue will Of the people in the matt
lie knew and should be made to feel cert.
J., the tracks were not to be permanent. lie ure
~ that committee be choseu lin this secondi
w. Mr. Gates,) to find ont what the people want
After some further discussion Of the mat
by Messrs. Van Buren,, Cornell, Greenebau
tiy G. ". Noble and Throop, it was voted to re
re- the whole matter, with Mr. Wilson's resolutit
ms and Mr. Van Durea's remonstrance, to C
uittes Of nine, who were appointed By
- Chair, as follows: