Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-11-16

ness interest Of Washington We feel that this
city has suffered sufirienty from this source
aud that to give tuch an opportunity to this
graspins monopoly 10 secure Tue right q way
commercial suicide That the Baltimore aud
Ohio and the Orange aud Alexandria railroad
companies will eventually control the road from
Washington to Alexandria Is inevitable, for
upon them must depend this short intermediate
line, which proposes to pay It's debt only for so
valuable consideration.
1t is an undeniable fact that Il IL the duty Of
the Corporation to protect the interests Of overy
part OF the city, and II IL not cOnsonant with us-
tice that the public treasury should DO benefited
at the expense Of any considerable portion Of the
community. II Ia apparent that to grant the
privilege would DO to elfectually destroy the
principal avenue Of one Of the largest and most
rapidly improving wards Of this city. The last
four years have demonstrated this fact beyond
all controversy. Maryland avenue-one Of our
noblcst thoroug hfares--is Stunned by all, and
while the convenience has been chccrfully sub
mittcd TO rs military necessity, the propriety
Of Its continuance may well be questioned. Why
heavy trains should be allowed to cross our
principal streets to the peril Of life and limb and
the shrek OF the iron horse disturb the serenity
Of orr beautiful Capitol grounds, is a question
not easily answered
All cities are properly Jealous OF this privi-
lcge Baltimore, Philadelphia, aud New York
compel tho abandonment Of steam at the city
limits; while Wilmi' gton, Newark, and other
places through which the locomotive dashes In
Its needless course, are, and Will ever remain,
second class cities.
Tho tendency Of such unrestricted steam COM
municstlon rs Is proposed will result In making
this an uuimportant stopping place SO far as
trade IL concerned, and could not benefit the city
In any possible manner, while II would incvita.
| bly, damage Its best interests.
| What possible advantage can accrue to this
city from granting this franchiseH Is 1t not
yielding avery large portion II not ALL the bust
| ness interests OF the city for the next twenty
years to a company which has already broken
faith with us, and which would Inevitably place
our communication, North and South, In tho
| keeping of two companies who have other Inter-
| ests than ours to guard2
| The bill proposes restrictions and regulations
upon the use OF the privilege. or what practical
avail these would be may be inferred from the
fact that the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, though
| owning large amount Of real estate and other
| property within this city's limits, has persist
emily and successfully refused the payment Of
one dollar taxes.
The time has come for the citizens Of Washing
ton to look well to their interests Too long
they have been subservisnt to personal ends and
individual gains. Our duty In calling your at
tention to this subject is done; with you rest
that you will so shape the action Of your honor
able Board as to prevent tho preparation Of 81
gross IN outrage on the best interests Of the Ma
TONS Capital. A. X. SHEPHERD,
w II. CLAgETr,
| SAMCEL BACON.
Alderman Magruder stated that he had not yo
been able to have Il meeting Of the committee o
the Board, but he thought meeting would b,
held before next Monday evening.
A debate here ensued In regard to the condition
Of Maryland avenue the action OF the railroa,
companies, and the mi urious effects upon Wash
ingtOn Of such acts were referred to.
Mr.. Mitchell had been reliably Informed tina
the branch road had been transferred to tn
Orange and Alexandria railroad for rs per cent
Of its gross earnings.
Mr. Semmes said that II that were the case b
would present the road as u nuisance. He re
fcrred to the bad condition Of Maryland avenue
owing to the railroad running through It, au,
noted especially the condition ut that point wher
the tank was situated. The tank had Away
been leaky, and u nuisance. While the road wa
under Government control, and while large force
were passing, there was necessity for this, bu
now the people could not stand so hard treat
ment
It was commended that the terminus of the roa
should be ut the Long Bridge, and that steaI
engines should not be allowed to run on this sid
Mr.. Riggs stated that Mr.. Stewart had, in III
presence of a committee Of the Board, said this
horses would be more costly to the company tina
the engine
On motion Of Mr.. Hall a committee Of three
consisting Of Messrs. Il. N Hall, J. II. Semme
Samuel Bacon, were appointed to report to tn
Board the best routes for railroads and turn
pixies to connect the city with the surroundin
country, and the Board adjourned until ne,
, Wednesday evening.