, 1874-02-01
RAILROAD TRACKS ON SOUTH
CLARK STREET.

A nesting Of the Common Council Committee
On Streets and Alleys, South Division, was held
yesterday afternoon in the City Clerks Office for
the purpose of considering the memorial Of citi-
gems Of the First, Second Third, Fourth, and
Sixth Wards against tho appropriation and con-
tinued use OF Clark street by the Chicago Rock
Island l. Pacific Railroad for the passage Of en-
gines and cars propelled by steam. Aid
SchmitZ occupied the char, and AID. Foley,
Stone, Coey, and Dixon were present 4 large
number OF interested property-owners we're in
attendance.
1Ir. J. J. Nichols said he had gone to Mr. Tra-
cy, President Of the Railroad Company, aud pro-
posed to give him thu right Of ray across the
middle Of lots on the west side OF tho street.
Clark street WAS now s. ven over to poor people
only because one else would reside or do
business there. aud yet this was one Of the prin-
cipal streets Of the city. On the superstition
TINT the railroad companies would leave the
street, owners sold ten lots at about 1alf their
value for the right OF way OF the street. The
companies now owned the right OF Way west of
the street. il they would only use it. It WAS
within tho power Of the Council to compel them
to use horsepower to move their cars along the
street. The Supreme Court had 10 decided, and
the charter gave that power expressly. It was
not desired to iujure the road.
AID. Schmitz inquired what was the UNDER
standing upon which owners sold the rear por-
ton Of their lots to the Company.
h1r. Nichols said the only inducement to sell
war the pledge Of the company to take the tracks
OF the street. There was but side OF the
question, if the members Of the Council were
disposed to consult the peoples interests. This
WAS the only through street west Of State, and
it was terrible damage to destroy that
thoroughfare. We're not rights Of Clark street
property-owners AZ sacred as those OF State
street2 II the railroads had vested rights in the
street let them use horsepower; but they had
no right to pus switch houses in the streets, and
they knew it. There VAS no excuse for Keeping
the tracks there, and it could not be- endured.
Little children vent out Of the houses on to the
railroad track, and were run over and killed.
They had no other place to go when they went
out Of the house.
Chancellor Jenks aaid the city gave permis-
zion, and he would not dispute the right of the
companies to occupy the street. They bought
land for another track 80 feet west, saying that
WAS tho only way they could get of the street,
and thereby got the land for far less tlan its
value. MIR. Keep made q direct promise to take
the track from Clark street. The ordinance
giving the right to croas certain streets expressly
provided thar another track should not be put on
Clark etreet. The companies had shown bad
Council. Mr.. Tracy said they intended to leave
the street, but did not mean to be hurried in it.
Whenever the matter had beon before COM
mittee, they had promised to report fayorably to
the property-owners, but nothing lad been
done but IT never came to vote in the Coui,-
Gil. Early in 1873 the COMMITTEES reported
against the property -owuers, giving ~ reason
TINT one road ought not to be singled out It
Vas clear that tl1s WAS an exceptional c2se. No
other road Ind m extra right Of way in addition
to the street.
AID. Dixon read the ordinance which required
that the Company should relinquish the right to
use the street in consideration Of ths privilege
OF crossing certain streets.
Mr. jerks said that The fact that another COM
pany now occupied the street WAS mere quib-
ble. for the Michigan Southern had sold the right
OF way to the Rock Island Road. There Was no
apology whatever Tor occupying Clark street
from Twelfth to Twenty-second street, because
they now owned smother night OF r5ay. They did
not need the street and, il they did, it not
right to put railrosd compauy's convenience
against the lives OF children and the damnge Of
property. II any other corporation had killed
twenty seven people. something would be done
about it: Only yesterday three wagons we're run
over and three men nearly Killed
AID Foley inquired il the Michigan Southern |
Was running cars on Clark street.
Half-a-dozen property-owners spoke up at
once, and said The Michigan Southern was run- !
ing cars there every day.
Mr Jeuks said that there wss great deal Of |
feeling all over the country in refereuce to rail-
road monopoly outrages. but there MAS not in au
America an Outrage so g1ievous 81 that complain
ed Of by the people Of Cia-k street. Cars come |
Numbering through the stroet 1t the rate OF
tveuty miles IN hour. Tho lav was disresarded |
h eye1y particular. On account OF tho railroad
there was now no value to property on either
idle OF the street. No one would take lot there
.s gift and agree to pay tho taxes On i.
Aid. Foley inquired II the Councu bad the
.iehr to take the tracks from Clark street.
Mr, Jenks said the Council had the power to
10 it by indrection-by restricting the compa-
lies to tie use Of horsepower. This would &c,
:onpIirh Tie same result; they would be obliged