Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-11-03
LOG A L u E w 5

ClTY COUNCIL.-A called meeting OF inc
CITY Council was held last night for the pur'
pose of considering the application of the Alex
andria and Fredericksburg Railroad for hight
OF way through the city.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The Board met the President. Dir. Marbury,
and Messrs. Suttle, French. Simpson,, VI
kell and Aenew being present. but lmmeala'eIy
accepted an invitation to enter the cnamoer " "
the Common Council, and, at the dissolution OF
the ;oint meeting. returned to their OVID cham.
Der, and without any action, aoJourueo ua'''
the next regular meeting.
COMMON COUNCIL
The Board was without quorum at the
bonr of meeting, but was called to order IL
formally.
The Chair stated that there was communal
cation on the table from the Mayor explaining
~ the reason why the Boards had been called
together, that the President and the Attorney
of the Alexandria aud Fredericksburg railroad
desired to submit to the Boards some views IN
reference 70 allowing that road to use Henry
street for their track. He suggested that both
Boards meet jointly to hear such remarks as
those gentlemen GIT dss:ro to m4ke.
This was agreed to aud the Aldermen enter
ed the Council chamber.
Mr.. Massey irov. d that such gentlemen as
desire TO address the Uuuucil uow have leave
to do
The Chair cxtcniei III in.i alton in Accord
ance with tins uio:un
Mr.. Francis l. Smlth. &c attorney ut the
company, intro .uc,d the President, Mr. Rob.
erts. aud the Geurrat Solicitor, Mr.. Howard,
TO the Cuunci auI hat read bp tue clerk the
general act which allowed several railroad CON-
panies 10 Use certain streets. tie noted the
fact thai as far back as 1919 the right OF way
without compensation had been granted u aii
railroads applying. The only question Was
Whether the Council wuud low 20 back upon
its former action aud compel all The railroads. to
pay tar the use OF the streets; tor certainly 10
one would require of this road whist was not re-
CURED OF other roads.
pany took this road they ill 50 under the i'm
preston that the right OF way through AIex-
andria had already been granted. lie explain
ed that the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
had ex pended very greas deal OF money beyond
WASHINGTON, aud great deal south of Alex
andria, between these TWO ends there were Two
fragments of roads, one this side OF the long
Bridge, which was without legal owntr,
the other in still worse condition, being
without party competent 10 make ! cnniracr.
The company was, Tor th5 rna>Un ANXIOUS ~
have its own ii nc the wi.ue way, and for bis
reason the zig lit OF way north Ut Duke street,
as it now had the right OF way south. The
company had been approached with offers to
sell The Alexandria and Washington Railroad
for one million OF dollars, but it preferred 10
the present state Of that rUa j to construct its
own track, which would Cost but about $50, 900
He enumerated some advantages icnm the con
struction of railroads, said that be kneV towns
who paid railroads companies a bonus to enter
them, and expressed the Willingness oil the
pany TO go by some street other than Henry, If
Couocil 20 decided.
Mr. Howard, Solicitor Tor the company,
urged the i'm portance Of speedy action by the
Council, as the winter was now approaching
and there would be some Necessity for new
alignment OF the road along these streets, and
ill this would take time.
After Col. Suite had made some inquiries
OF Mr. Howard with reference to ,he road,
MIR. T. L. Smith Inquired OF hlr. Roberts il
he knew any case in the United States in which
city charged railroad company for the use
of public highways.
Mr.. Roberts said that he knew OF but one
such case, that was Il short strip on Pittsburg
Railroad, where SUN was paid Allegheny
CITY tor passiog through the pubic park.
Mr. Smoot inquired whether 1t was propoS
cd to erect any buildings in this city other than
passenger station.
Mr.. Roberts supposed that 1t would be
necessary to keep some cugines here aud Il
honse would have to he built for them, but
thew had not thought OF that matter Yet.
Col. Suite asked him ii be knew any case ID
which military railroad had been abandoned
TO city.
Mr., Roberts said that be knew OF short
strin on the Fort Wayne road in that condition.
He explained its pecusIarltles
Mr. Howard mentioned some cases lu which
toll was collected by city. Philadelphia col
lected small revenue from portloc OF track
which belonged to the city, but tnls toll
merely suffced to keep the track IN order. The
city of Philadelphia never attempted TO get a
revenue from this portion OF tho Iosu' aoo Ii
had low been rem we'd.
Col Suttle INQUIRED whether the grant to
the original Alexandria and fredericksburg
Railroad of the right OF Way south OF Duke
street had rot failed when that company tor
teited it's charter by not constructing the road
within the time limited
MIR, Smith said the charter became forfeit
able bus did not become 10 fact forfeit until
the State pressed the forfeiture. That char.
ter was GOOD now. The reason Tor renewal OF
the charter was to prevent future enforce
ment of the forfeiture Nj. Smith then dis
cusscd at some length tho legal right TO tax
railroads entering The CITY. tic contendeo that
the charter gave the Common Council no such
right and that while the road migh not be
allowed to use street and be thus forced TO 60
around the town, yet, IN case street was
granted DO tax could be levied for the use OF IT.
As to Col. Suites, (who was once director 10
the Orange road)inquiries about military roads,
be knew OF road which had been made by the
Confederate government iron Danvlle into
North Carolina, to the right of way to which
North Carolina hal before the war always re-
fused.
Col. 5uttl. explained the connection OF the
Danvlc road with Greensboro N. z. lie
saw no reason for introducing the Orange and
Alexandria railroad in this CONTROVERSY. But
the right of way granted to the o. & A. Il.
Il. was paid for. That company led 1000
mouths here, it gave PURCHASERS to groceries,
renters Of houses, and helped TO bulld up the