, 1874-02-10
THE LAKE FRONT.
Messra. Walker and Douglas Before
O Council Committee.
Tho Roads Will Give 100000, and
No More.
A Majority Of tho Committee De-
eide to Report Atl.
yorsely.

A Majority of tho Committee De-
eide to Report Ad.
vorsely.
The Committee on Whnrvoa and Public Grounds
Of tho Common Council mot in tho Mayors
Office yesterday afternoon, Aid. cannon in tho
ohafr.
Tho consideration Of tho Lalso-iront question
waa taken up.
4 FAIR rn1oE.
nfr. Walkor. Of the Chicago, Burlington Il
Quincy Road, said that ho considered tho prco
offered by tho ratlroads-s8O0 ,000-a worry fair
ono, and hc did not think TINT tho grounds wore
worth any moro. In 1860, tho ground on tie
west side of Michigan avenue would bring 81 600
per foot. Tho lots woro 175 feot deep. Now
they were aolling for ii, 900 per foot Which WAS
Aid. Pickering thought that tho lots on tho
woHt side Of tho avo1luo wero only 160 feet doep.
Tho eaRt aldo lota wore ITO foot.
h1r. Walker thought that might bo correot. but
lo could offer no more than tho price already
Van Duron and Monroe streets. and bctwoen L.
Hal[o atreot and tho river, ,woro willing to Hel that
whole tract for 9750, ,000. II tho oitys title was
good, tue price waB enough any why II 1t WAS
rot Gq the city hsa no perfect 1ao title in the
still more reasonable. Judge Williams. Of tho
Circuit Court, hold TINT tho City had no property
interost in tho ground. In fact, tho boBt 1awyera
hold that tho traot waa II tho keoping. Of tho
had, however, givon tho city tit1o. and he (h1r.
Wa1kcr) hold t1lat that titlo WAS sufficient for his
purposes. 10 did not caro- anything about
riparian rlglts,-he did not care about that
question ut all.
WILLING TO nuY At PUBLIC SALE.
Aid. Gnnnnn nhlrn1 tyhat1tnr Mr. Wa1tnr
thought TINT 1t tho property was put up at pri-
yato Halo il would bring moro than tho price Of
fored BY tho companies.
:, N1r. Walker sala ho would bo very, g!ad to have
tho land put up at public Halo and lot whoao-
over would bid for It: In TINT why 1t might,
doubts upon It.
Judge Norton, being asked his opinion,
stated TINT he WAS not then fully prepared to
state his opinion on tho subject. but ho unler-
stood TINT the railroads wore willing to mike
tho purchase for S800,000 and take a quit-olaim
dccd from tho city.
WILL pAY At ONCE.
AID. Cannon asked how soon the railroads, In
caso tho Balo was mado, would pay for the
ground.
MIR. Walker stated that s20o, 900 had boon paid
already, Which tho city could have Mt any timo.
The balance, 80 far as most Of tho railroads wore
papor Immediately convertible into cash would
be glyen for it. There would be no trouble
about that part Of tho business.
AND GO ON WITH TIE DEpor.
Aid. Pickering asked whether tue railroads
would build depot Immediately.
Mr. Walkor said TINT tho companies would 20
to work with as much expedition as possible in
that mattor, but therc woro Huita pending which
might ombArrnss them in some measure. But
with q quit-claim they would take their chancoB.
AID. Pickering wished to ask another question
Of Mr, Walker.
CANNON GOES OFF.
AID. Cannon-l prefer this work done by tho
members of tho Commttoo. wish Aid. Pickering
aud other outsiders to understand that whom
thoir alvco is required 1t will DO called for by
tho Committee.
Judge Norton--I understand from you, blr.
Walker, that you base your title On tho LegiBa-
tive oct anl IN q quit-olaim doed by tho city.
Dir. Walkor-On the act Of the Legislature
Aid. moore asked Judge Norton's opinion.
JUDGE MOTIONS OPINION.
Judge Norton-Aa understand ths matter,
to Chicago, as point Of equity, but tho city has
no absolute title except that which comes from
tho people Of Illinois represented III the Gon-
eral Assembly.
Mr.. Walker again assorted that tho Legisla-
ture only had the tit1e,-tley wanted d quit
claim from the city, 30 as to have peaceablc
possession Of the purchase.
AID. MOORE
said that ho WAS in fnyor Of selling thb threo
blocks to tho railroad companies Tor S3Suu qQu-
tic land to bo comnrehended between the south
lino Of Randolph, street, tho south limo Of Mon
roo street, aud $40 fcet east of tho cast limo Of
Michigan avonuo.
AID. r. 7. Bailey-1 nm not in favor of solling
the land for TINT sum; 1t Is worth at least
81 100000 That would bc fair price for It
AN AsEcDorE OF LINCOLN
Judge Norton-I will now introduce Mr. Doug
Ina, OF the Illinois Central Road.
Mr. Douglas entered tho Office, He Ia a. sturdy
looking Businessman. Judge Norton, in Ills
dcbonsir manr,or, sud: IT can tell yor, story
rof nv iirat meeting with Mr, Douglas. He was
trying case for tic Central at Springfield, and
Abraham Lincoln was againat him. It was
Jury trial"
Mr, Douelas-ToIl them how It was,
Judge Nortou-lIr Lincoln commenced hy
saving that there was MI old adaeo which said
that whoever tried lis own case lad fool for
lia client {moannc Mr, Douglas), md TINT q
wise lowyer olways looked after lis own in
torosts frat, Lincoln was attirod in lis usual
careless manner. Ho had on a pair Of unblaoked
boots, shiny black pants, q light i,,stor, and was
without Bhirt-collar. Ills dustor was thrown
back aul lIspInyed a broken su8pendor, which
nl1nvod n,,n a;1c ~ h;a nopta tn dronn cfumpt1v