The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-10

p.sly~ HON. JAMES MILLER AND THs ODD
FELLOWS CEMETERY

Editor OF the West Philadelphia STAR
Dear Sir-Some fault having been found with me
for introducing bill into the Legislature last winter
for the opening of Diamond street, respectfully
ask small space In your paper for the purpose OF
giving a correct statement in reference to the bill
and its passage through the House. 1t was handed
me by N. b. Browne, ESQ.,, President OF the
Fidelity Trust and Safe Deposit Company who
stated that he knew nothing OF its character ex-
cept that II had been drawn up by Eli X. Price,
Esq, and handed to him by an estlmable citi-
zen living on the line of the street. On the
day Mr.. Browne gave me the bill met Henry NJ.
Phillips Esq, who asked me for 1t, saying that he
wished to see it. We read it over together, and
both objected to clause in H. pledgng the faith OF
the commonwealth that no railroad should ever be
laid upon it; but feeling that this matter interested
only the property-owners on the road, concluded
to offer it, not having the least idea of the street
running through the Odd Fellows Cemetery, and
not supposing there was any opposition to it. The
bill was red to the proper committee: and
while it was before the committee, the gentleman
who gave it to Mr.. Browne, called upon me two or
three times and seemed very urgent for its passage
lie said the street was to be seventy feet wide,
with Nicoson pavement, and would be one OF the
finest avenues in the city, still saying ing about
the crSni-- Of the House, Mr., Adam Alorisht
brought TO me letter and Small plan stating and
showing that the street ran directly through the
Cemetery. l took Mr.. Albright up into the library
to examine map OF the city and found that the
statemt Mt was correct at once told MIR. Albright
that would have nothing more to do with the bill
on the following Saturday / met the property
who had The bill in charge, and told him that
he had placed me in false position with reference to
1t that never would be engages in any legislation
that seemed to be underhanded and this looked as
il wished to put street through the Odd Fellows
Cemetery by stealth, he must find some one else to
pass his bill He said that he had forgotten to tell
me about the cemetery but 1t made no difference;
that some Of the officers OF the cemetery and indu
eutial Odd Fellows really wished the street to go
through it, but dare not say openly. They ID
another cemetery to which they wanted ali the
dead removed, and If they could get this fine
there the building lots would sell for enough
to pay for removing the dead, and bring
them a large sum OF money beside | told
him that might have been a good argu-
ment in an open fight on bill known to have been
introduced for the purpose OF cutting a street
through the cemetery, but it would not do in this
case; that could not do anything Tor him. The
bill came up and was defeated. Mr.. Albright and
Mr.. Bum actively opposed IT, and do not think any
member advocated It, Subsequently the bill was
on motion OF Mr. Stokes, reconsidered. | would not
vote for it; no odd Fellow had asked me to vote
against it, and did not vote at all. Mr.. Bum was
not in the House. Mr.. Albright voted against 1t.
and do not remember how any of the other Phtla.
delphia members voted. I believe 1t passed the
Senate unanimously L1ts1 JAMES MILLER.