Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-22


allowed the basin previously referred to TO fill
up, and that If IL was dredged out the company
would soon put their canal in a condition to
allow boats to pass through.
that the structures, wharves, &C., which You
propose to build would be exempt from taxation?
This is an important question, and the supreme
court may yet be called upon to decide the mat
ter"
Mr.. Gorman-"when we make ont our claim
it will doubtless be broad enough to include all
our rights" lLauehter.l
HOW FAR?
Gen. Chapman said he would like to find out
the total value Of the property in question,
be filled up, including the channel, would your
Mr.. Gorman.0..We only ask for our rights or
desc beoe Rs highest in at the
Mr.. Starkweather inquired what the present
value of the stock of the canal now is, and Mr..
g. replied that at present there is no sale for it,
and that If the company is robbed, as proposed,
its value will be less than it is now. He said II
the canal company can improve the property
referred to themselves, under the direction OF
States dollar for dollar for its stock.
Mr.. Starkweather-"Y You suggested that you
would be willing to make
SOME rAIR ARRANGEMENT.
Now, will you suggest some amendments to the
bill before us?''
Mr.. Gorman.-"I shalfhe glad to do so''
Gen. Chipman.-''WOuldS your company make
lied you TO do so?''
Mr.. Gorman.-"we would, with pleasure
He then said that within three years past bonds
of the company have been bought for 10, Is and
3 cents, but are now 105. He also said he con-
sidered one foot of ground below Rock Creek as
valuable as forty feet above the Aqueduct
bridge, and all he asked was for the privilege OF
making the imprOv ements referred to at the ex-
pense of the company.
non. JOHN RICHIE,
OF Maryland, then made brief argument in
Ee nd
Ohio Canal, which he said has encountered
many obstacles for years past, but just now il
Of
proving the river and harbOr; but he does object
to its provisions which assume that the com
pany has no rights thad been shown that the
in question, and the committee should go for
ward carefully in view Of the immensty OF
Maryland's interest in the canal.
Gen. ChipmaD-"COuld you, Mr.. Richie,
suggest any amendments to the bills before us?''
Mr.. Richie. will confer with the Presi-
dent of the canal company, and perhaps, will
do so in future"
Nr. Starkweather requested Mr. German to
prepare for the committee a brief of the claims
Of his company to riparian rights, and, also, to
inform the committee at a future meeting, how
much of the :" Kidwell meadows are included
I'm said claim, and Mr.. q. promised to furnish
such brief.
ANOTHER GRAB AT THE CANAL GRAB AT THE
KlDwELL MEADOWS GRAB.
Mr.. Green next appeared before the commit
tee, and represented that he owns five acres OF
land located near the foot Of 18th street, (the old
Van Ness prOperty,) and claims by riparian
right that he can extend his property to the
river channel if he chooses; and that if the flats
in front of him are reclaimed the new land i'm
front Of his property, to the river channel, will
be his property. He admitted that the cOntem-
plated improvement will benefit him as well az
the District.
Gen. Chipman.-'' Does your cain confic t
with that OF the canal company, or that OF DIR.
kidwell?'
Mr.. Green-"Itdoes by virtue of an old claim.
My son, under a law of Virginia, took the neces-
sary steps to enter this land
Gen. Chipman.-' Was this prior or SUISSE
luent TO DIR. Kidwell's patent?'
MIR. Greene 1t was PRIOR"
MIR. lfOOsevelt-''Dr. Kidwell, what is the
late 81 your patent?'
DIR. K.-"December, 1862"
Cen Chipman.-"M Mr.. Green, what's the date
Of yOurs?'
Mr.. Green" september, 1862" General
laughter.l
Mr.. T. J. Miller and Mr.. Fendall made state
ments in favor of the claims of certain wharf
owners in Georgetown and Washington, Mr..
Miller claiming that by virtue of a grant of lots
on the river front their rights to property ex-
tend to the river channel, wherever il NAV be.
Mr.. A. X. Shepherd asked that General r. d.
Mussey be heard in behalf of the plan OF the
board of survey either now or at a future meet
ing. In order to hear all sides and dispose of
the matter under consideration as early as pos
sible, the committee adjourned to meet again at
1890 a.. IN. tomorrow, when further statements
on the same subject will be heard.