Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-01


1t has been reported that the several railroad
companies, whose roads run through or into
this city would probably make some amcable
arrangement for union depot at Washington
square, in accordance with the proposition voted
upon last December; but at a meeting of the
president and directors of the Norwich and
Worcester railroad, held in this city on Satur-
day last, they voted unanimously TO demonstrate
against that proposition and the recent petition
to the legSl tture BY the mayor and aldermen
relative 10 that matter. In conjunction with
that remonstrance, there is in the hands of sew
erll Influential cltizans the following remon-
STRANGE for signatures of the citizens of Wor-
cestcr:
To The Honorable Senate and House Of Representa-
tires Of h2 ComR)nDs 18th Of Massachusetts, in
General Court assembled:
Tle undersigned citizens of the city of Worcester
reSpec flu ~ demonstrate against any legislation de-
signed, in any manner, either to compel or permit
the removal or abandonment of the railroad station
IN said city, on -OSter street, and now used as
passenger station by the Boston aud A bany rail-
road, the Worcester and Nashua ral.road, and the
Norwich and Worcester railroad companies; and
for pre- entng this remonstrance assign the follow
ing reasons:
FIRST AT the municipal election held last Decem-
Der, said city, the following proposition was sub
mitted to the voters of the city:
"5hall the board of mayor and aldermen take
such measures as may be deemed expedient for the
removal of the railroad tracks across the Common
Madison and Mechanic streets, and those in erme-
date; anu If they are unable to effect an amcable
arrangement with the railroad companies, shall
they be instructed to tltiOn to the next egisa-
ture for permission to accomplish that desirable OBJ
jectP'
The vote upon this proposition was nc follows
1880 votes in favor and 4S0 votes against the prone
stion Many did not vote at ALL as they did moi re-
gard the question as one for decision in that firm
nrranOpmput having been wifi tnor all
road companies for the removal of the tracks from
the Common and streets referred to in the PROPOSE
ton voted on, the mayor and aldermen have now
petitioned the legislature for such legislation as
shall enable them to accomplish that purpose.
1t will not be denied that the removal Of the rail-
road tracks from the common and from the streets
mentioned in the petition Of the mayor and alder
men of Worcester, would result in an abandonment
of the Foster street station. We believe that such
is the purpose and object of that petition, and we
therefore demonstrate against the legislation prayed
for thereby, so far as 1t may tend TO cause the
removal or abandonment of the depot on Foster
street.
The vote taken at the recent municipal election
cannot be regarded expression of the opinions
and wishes of the people of Worcester on the ques-
ton of the abandonment of the Foster street station
That question was not submitted to them. If ii had
been, we believe it would have been with very
different result. The abandonment of that station
IS not mentioned in the proposition voted on. 1t
was ad oity and carefully avoided. The tracks
upon the common have for long time been used
IN suco manneT IN making up freight trains as to
cester and great numbers were disposed to vote to
remove the cause of this evil without fully consid.
ering the consequences which were to follow it,
The proposition therefore was presented in form
TO SECURE popular vote IN its favor II Is an ex.
preston merely of disapprobation OF the manner in
which the common and adjoining streets are now
used and of desire the part OF the people of the
city that the evil referred TO may be obviated If Il
the city, VI
We believe that by causing the Norwich aud Wor.
cester railroad company to make up their freight
trains on their own land this evil may be so far
obViated as to leave cause Of complaint from the
tracks on the common and the streets referred to
The occasional transit of train Of cars over the
common and across those streets would cause nc
dissatisfaction. 1t Is one of the slight inconve.
nience incident to the great benefits of railroads
which we share In common with our fellow citizens
In all other cities through which railroads pass.
SECOND On the 18th INST, IN the House Of Rep.
and adopted:
THAT the committee on railways consider the ex.
pediency Of go amending chapter 264 of the acts Of