Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-11-03

ton in favor OF granting Cne [lRnC VI way.
COL French was surprised at the latitude
which the discussion had assumed. Tie asked
for the reading of the charter OF the Alexandra
was done.
Col. f. then called attention to the provision
OF the law which required that road to be con
ssructed from Fredericksburg to Alexandria
before its owners constructed aoy portion OF the
track north OF Alexandria. He conteDded that
until the road was flushed to Alexandra, 1t
was useless to discuss the question Of going
farther
There was some discussion between Col.
French and Mr.. Howard relative 10 the pre-
sent status Of the Alexandra and Wasblng-
ton Railroad.
MIR. Smith took further part IN the discus
| sion Of the status of the Alexandria and Wash,
ington railroad company.
COL Suite explained what the committee OF
the City Council had reported upon the subject.
MIR. Roberts explained that the reason for
asking carly action was that even though the
company should not 20 through aow, yet the
work for two miles south could not TIC dnne
until it was determined at what point the road
must enter the city, and through what streets
| it must 20. He stated that his com pany had
| been asked to purchase the Alexandra and
Washington Railroad Company at one million
of dollars, when tho road could be built Tor
$50 900, aud this road had no legal status 10
be purchased.
alr, French urged that this was a reason Tor
wailirs few days until the Court OF Appeals
did settle the legal status OF the !cxandiIa q
Washington Railroad Company. Ii t"o roads
were made on tho turnpike both vladucts at
tour rile run would he occunled, and there
would be no carriage way 10 washington;
AZ md Mr.
discussed the meaning OF the clause which re
ouifed the Alexandra and Fredericksburg Co.
to construct the road from Alexandria to Feed
ericksuurg before it was constructed north OF
Alexandria, The debate becoming so general
as to Include that of the charge of SO cts. Oh
the through train between Alexandra and
Washington.
Sir. French spoke of the graSping policy Of
the PENNSYLVANIA Central road which proposed
to run its road through Virginia to the cotton
States and monopoze the whole trade. lie
wanted the company to arbitrate the matter
with him. He was willing to compromise the
matter and refer tho whole matter to arbltra
ton.
Mr.. Smith replied to Mr.. French.
MIR. French --Aint YOU the President OF tue
| WASHINGTON ami Alexandria Turnpike Go. ?
Mr. Smith--No. Sir | have r0lhing to do
inu.
air. Massey spoke again and Mr.. French
followed
Mr. French he'd that the Fredericksburg
TO. had TO power 10 20 round the town, and
that the Counc! had noW Eu.p0Ser 10 lccltc the
road By fixing ceitaln street through Vhicn
the road must paSS.
Mr. Massey renewed his advocacy OF grant
ing the right Of way, and ct the conclusion said
he should not trouble the Council further.
Mr. Howard urged that this application for
the right of way was made some time since;
there certainly had been no undue pressure on
the Council. lie explained that the stock
holders of the Pennsylvania Rallroad had re
ceived but 10 per cent upon their investment;
all the rest OF the income or the road had been
devoted to opening up The resources OF Penn
| sylvania, and it was now coming south. 1t had
secured the franchise Of the Alexandria and
! Frederick Sburs Esircad and it would be bet
! ter that they should cousgrnct the ROAD than
! that the merchants here should take the money
| from their business to construct 1t. 40 to the
| Alexandria and Washington Railroad 1t only
claimed the east side OF the turnpike and had
| no right TO apy other. But ut the turn Tear
the canal of that road took the west side:
| The Alexandria and Fredericksburg road would
gladly buy such portion "a the Alexandra ana
| Washington Railroad as IVES on the west SIDE
of the road AS to the complaint that there
were northern stock holders engaged 10 con-
sructing this road every body knew that the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad owned the great
or portion of the o. 4 a. Railroad. There
were more stockholders in the north who had
stock in the railroads going from Alexandria
than there we're stockholders in Virginia.
Mr.. French explained he position which he
| held in reference to the matter. lie vas afraid
OF wealthy corporations, afraid OF consolidation
which had destroyed our government lie
discussed the general railroad policy oI flr-
ginia.
MIR. Howard cxpsined that the Alexandria
and Fredericksburg Railroad would pay large
taxes to Virginia.
| At this point MIR. Smoot cnqui-ed whether
the Orange and Alexandria Railroad Company
| (iu which Alexandria Was largely lntcrested)
would be allowed to use. the track OF he Alex
andria and fredericksburg road between Alex
andria and Washington.
Mr. Suite also asked the same question.
Mr.. Roberts said that no locomotive OF
another company would be allowed to COME
upon the track but That the caIS, either
freight or passenger: would very gladly DC
nauled over the road il the trains arrived at
the same time with the fredericksburg Rail
road. II thy arrived at any other rlinc they
would be hauled if it would pay and would not
| he hauled if it di1 not ray.
Mr. Massey again addressed the Council,
saving that he would not vote to give the right
of way to any company which would Interfere
with the Orange and Alexandria Railroad
Company.
| The debate .yas further continued by MeSSrs.
Smith, Roberts. Suite, the whole discussion
at this point turning upon what privileges the
Fredericksburg Company was willing to grant
the Orarge Company on the route between
this city and Washington. Col. Suite and
MIR. Smoot Insisted that Alexandrla's large
interest 10 the Orange road made it necessary
to stipuate Tor provisions in favor 0! that
company. aud Messrs. Roberts and Smith re
plying that such matters were always settled ny
the companies themselves upon tho basis OF
their mutual interests.
The discussion continued in this manner