Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-03-10

81. GIN sEEKET R4TLEoAD.-HsssTs. Ed
tOrs: The article signed "Fair Play" il
your issue Of the Sd instant, written by fh,
"faetOtum Of the Gravel Company, is Sc
uneguiYOcally unfair that it needs hardly 4
notice except as an Introduction to some few
statements that I, a citizen Of St. Clair street
Eish to make. The writer alluded to says
that no specific provision has been made as to
the kind Of rail to be used, when he knows
If he knows anything, that the Council was
particularly specific in requiring that the
rail should be Of such style and pattern as
they might direct, and subsequently appoint
ed special committee to determine upon
such style and pattern, and report to the
Council for their action. This is all that
gould have been done, and yet Mr.. Unfair
play PreSumes to dictate what the style and
pattern shall be, thus taking it cut Of the
bands Of the Council, ignoring the action of
that body altogether, and disregarding the
wishes Of other interested parties. Such die
tation to the City Council comes with very
bad grace fron one who solieits its favora-
bic action upon three remonstranees, all
written or amended by himself, and all the
names on two Of which we're, with one ex-
ceptiOn, signed by himself. The Gravel
Company have narrowed the roadway of the
street in such manner as to render it nui-
sance to teams and carriages, and now say if a
horse railroad is to be built, let It be con-
struetsd so as not to injure the public. Nov
let rs see what the extreme cause for the
interest Of the dear public amounts 10.
Stripped Of its seeming anxiety on that ac
count, the gravel company demand that the
track shall be laid in the centre Of the street,
covering ur the only roadway they have left
for the dear publie's use by said track, and
its paving inside and out, so as to save the
gravel company the expense and care OF
keeping up said roadway, while they are to
keep collecting toll Of the dear public as
usual.
1t is in order to make this point Of saving
to them and to satisfy the public at the same
time that the gravel company insist upon
such rail being adopted as will in their opin- |
ion make the covering up Of their slim road
way acceptable to the public. The rail- |
road men" may or may not improve the |
roadway for the sole benefit and profit Of the |
gravel company at any rate they are to |
spend their own money or not, as they please, |
and can pay tribute to the gravel company or |
not as they please. With that, however, /
have nothing 70 do. have been q close OBJ /
server Of the operation of these roads in other /
cities, and being interested in the method of |
construction of this particular one, will as
sumo the right not to dictate, but suggest to /
the Council that a committee be appointed |
including the City Civil Engineer, to care
fully examine the whole street, with refer
enee to the location Of the railroad and re-
port upon the same.
In looking over the petitions in favor Of
and against the construction Of this improve
ment, / find but two that are unconditionally
opposed to it. These are signed mostly by
owners or keepers Of small stores and grocer
les, who are impressedwith the idea that their
business will suffer in consequence Of the ia
oilities afforded their customers to get " down
town " at small expense and in short time
With these petitiyns, the almighty shin
plaster" is paramount to the general good.
There are two or three petitions numcrously
signed by property owners, and residents
along the street, asking in the strongest Ian
guage, that the roilroad my be built, and
showing the great advantages that would
result TO the property owners, and the con-
venienees to the public generally. One Of
these petitions is signed exclusively BY ladies
residing upon the street, who certainly are
entitled 70 very great consideration in this
matter. Other petitions Of like character
are also now in circulation.
The result Of this whole matter will prob
ably be here, as in every other city, that
while private interests will be protected, the
general good will be the main question.
ST. CLAIR STREET.