Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-03-01
GARRETT vs.. SCOTT.
A RAILROAD sKIRMIsH.

rhe Baitlmore aad Pstemas Dspet -Oppo-
sisfsa - the Proposed eite-lfr. Garrett
Thiaks wa.hinstss n Geeat Cliy-se
Does hIr. Scott - One Wants RauaI
Chasces-Ths Other Wants to be Let
AIsne-Presideat Barbour, orihs OraaEs
and AieSandrIa RaiIrsnd, Comes to
CARROTS Aid-Temporary Cessation Of
HostIlities-Ths BaItimore AVID Ohis Pre-
pairing for n Decisive Connict-Protest
from CItiz sns Of the District.
Ever since the charter from Congress for
the construction Of the Baltimore and Poto-
mac road was obtained the citizens OF this
Dlstric, have been anxlously awaiting liz
completion and have, from time 10 time,
been Informed Of the progress made through
the columns Of the daily papers.
Tho location for the depot, az nEed by the
charter, was ata point facing Virginia ave-
nne, somewhere Jctwoeu Four-and-a-half
and seyculh streeta west, and no one dreamed
there was desire 10 change from that loca-
ton until during the latter part Of the session
Of the last Council, when bin was introduced
and passed authorizing them TO extend the
track from Virginia avenue northwardly
Along Sixth street west 10 the canal, thence
across the canal and along the front west Of
Sixth street 10 north b street, and to occupy
and use for depot and railroad purposes the
grounds between said Sixth street. b street
and the north line OF the canal" Provided,
THE consent Of Congress be hrst obtained"
On tho ga Of January, Mr.. starkweather
introduced bill u the House OF Representa-
tIvcs confirming the action OF the Councils,
With the following provisos THAT II at any
time q park shall be established, includ-
ing Sixth strest, said railroad along Sixth
street shall be 90 adapted 70 the park ave-
nuaa, either by tunncls or bridges as the
Board OF Public Works may direct, as not
materially to interfere therewlthj aud that
said sixth street, from the canal to Pennsyl-
yania ayeuua. shall at all times be kept
paved and 10 good repair by said railroad
company, and that existing laws relative 10
STRENGTHENING the canal shall not be affected
thereby" The bill was referred TO the Com
mlttee on the District Of Columbia.
As considerable opposition to the measure
had been manifested by citizens Of the Dis
lrict, Mr.. John W. Garrett concluded 10 take
advantage OF the fact and ondeayor with
them TO defeat the project which would give
the new aud competing line so decided an
advantage oyorhls. He accordingly requested
Of the committee permission 70 be present at
their meeting while the bill was under con-
slderatlou, In order that he might state his
objections thereto. This was granted, Col.
T. A. Scott also notified, aud both gentlemen
met the committee yesterday morning. Each
gentleman waa accompanied by some OF his
professional and personal friends, and the ap-
peannce Of the commlttee-room and the
animated manner Of conversation clearly de-
noted that there was big thing on hand
and 20 there was.
rms CoMMKScBNENT.
About 10 o'clock Hon. G. A. Eldridge, acting
chairman, called the committee TO order,
stated the object Of the meeting, and said
they wero prepared 10 hear from those who
desired 10 speak on the subject.
Mr.. CARROTS only object was 10 subsorve
the interests OF the people Of the DlatricL and
he would prefer 10 have the closing aTgu-
meut Kind OF him, so thought the repre-.
sentatiyes Of tho people In the room.
Mn. scoTr NOT BACKWARD.
Col. Scott who evidently thought he had
the best Of the hght, arose for the purpose Of
giving his Views. lie read the bill under con
alteration; said Il was simple thing 10 pn-
dsrstand. They had already received FROM
Congress the right TO bring the road into the
city, and he thought the interests OF all cou-
cerned would be bettered by the proposed
change OF depot. The company had already
expended nearly Ave millions Of dollars In
the construction OF their road, and would
have 10 expend more.
Mr.. Eldfidge Qnterrupting) said he had
heard as an objection the bad effect the road
would have on tho proposed park.
Colonel scctt quoted the proyiso that i
should not interfere with that improvement,
and exhibited q profile Of the park, "a beauti.
iul specimen Of drawlng,) showing how tun'
nels could aud would be constructed. He
thought there would be no difficulty whatever
In having the track 10 conform TO the plan oil
tho park. He referred TO the city OF rhila.
delphia, where roads passed through and
crossed parks, some by tunnels and Others BY
bridges. The company had already expended
half million OF dollars upon their road
within the city, and was now expendlng over
| q million and half In Baltimore. Ho did
not AK this city for dollar, and did not ask
Congress for any aid. All they wanted wa
the right 70 accommodate the people.
TIM PEOPLES ADVOCATE.
Mr.. y. A, Boswell said he appeared before
the committee a. the advocate Of person.
whose property would be Injured by tho
change. Sixth street was only one hundred
feet wide, and the proposition was to lay q
double track on the street. He referred q
the action OF Congress and the Councils In
granting the company the right to erect {
depot on Virginia avenue; and said the bill
now being considered was rushed through
without giving the ProPerty-holders chance
In addition 10 the damage 10 private prop.
erty on either side Of sixth street, this bill
gave away, without compensation, city prop.
erty valued at 1880, 900, and from which al
annual rental Of 5000 had been received
Another objection was that on account OF
the narrow width OF B street Il was imposai'
Scott was getting hla depot TO front on Penn
| aVlVanla aVRnuP.