Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-04-25

committees appointed will, doubtless, at once,
give the subject their earnest attention, and, If
possible, prevent the consunmation OF what
would be one Of the most fragrant acts Of injus;
tice ever perpetrated. a1..9 $500
THE WASHINGTON, ALEXANDRIA AND
GEoReEToWN RAILROAD DEpoT.-The Com
mittee on Streets of the City Council, last night
made report adverse to granting the Wash
ington, Alexandria and Georgetown Railroad
Company the privilege of erecting a Depot
building, at the terminus of the road, at the
corner of King and St. Asaph streets. ~.
/ When the subject was under consideration in
the Common Council, :- ~.
| Mr.. Brent contended that as the Depot was
established, the Company now only asked the.
privilege of erecting building for the accom-
mediation of those travelling over the road
Mr.. B. advocated granting the privilege, on
the ground that as the Depot was established
at the point named,it would be proper to allow
building for Depot purposes to be erected,
especially as it would be an Improvement, and
could in no wise injure the street g. :~a- p:
| Mr.. Clifford differed from Mr.. Brent, and
| thought that the erection of this Depot build
ing would endanger the surrounding property.
Mr. Muir had threatened, that if Council grant
| ed this permission, he would have an injunc-
ton issued. The Company could buy or rent
property in the neighborhood for their purpo-:
ses, and the consideration offered by the Com
pany, for the privilege: was not sufficient to IN
duce Council to entertain the proposition In
regard to the acts of former Councils, granting
this Company the privileges already enjoyed
he should not speak, but he would not like to
endorse them. Council had no right to stop
up street, and he thought the question should
be left with the people.
/ DIR. johnson considered it sufficient argu-
ment against granting the privilege to know
| that there was "a law preventing the erection
of wooden buildings. The streets too were
public highways and should not be INSTRUCTED.
! He contended that laws were made to protect
minorities; majorities want no laws, and in this
instance the minority should have the full ban-
eft. This question, like all others, was to be
settled by those individuals directly interested,
aud if they protest, their rights must be pro
tected ~ss"#a .".1a.. ;,..5@.a ..G
Mr. Brent coatended that the question had
not been met on its merits, but had only been
discussed on legal points The Attorney of
the Corporation had reported that this Coun I'll
had no right to revoke powers granted by the
previous Council, and inasmuch as the De
pot was established, he considered it proper to
allow building to be erected for the accommo-
dation Of the travelling public. While, how
ever, he considered it proper to grant the priv
iege, he thought that it was the duty of Coun
Gil to protect private property and guard the
rights of parties interested-to do this he
thought that damages, ifany, should be assess
ed and parties so damaged should be paid If
the damage to the property was but small, he
contended that private interest must yield to
great public benefit, Mr. 3. replied to the ar
| guments of the other gentlemen, in reference
to the occupancy of streets by railroad and cited
the Depot of the Orange and Alexandria Rail
road as an instance ofa buiMing being in the
street. He contended that Council has the
power to grant the privilege, and in nearly al
the cities of the Union like buildings have been
erected This was simply question Of public
interest, and this Council has a perfect right TO
permit the Company to erect wooden build
ing. ri :-ag- ...tn. -i5.,- aa- t-4t- ...:.
DR.. johnson commended that neither Council
nor the Railroad Company, had right to jecp-
ardize any ones property aud if the neight'ors
objected to this building, he for one shout d re
spect their wishes. -.--,... 81
Mr. Clifford took issue with Dir. Dre Mt
Other Depots were in different localities. Pro-
lection to surrounding property in this ins lance,
he commended, was not sufficient in case Of ire.
The Agent of the Company had tried 20 i'm
press the Committee with the idea that all the
benefits would inure to the city, but he Gid not
think 80, and he should continue his objection
to granting the privilege. He contended. that
the interests Of private property holders should
be protected, and justice done to all =
The report, adverse to granting to privilege,
was then adopted. ..aao Il; IL @ .-:a
John II. Snyder has received The contract
for supplyingthe Washington Navy Yard with