, 1874-05-10

them out at .na asnihcent profit. To attempt to
sell the property in such manner would be =
couree, cannot be seriously entertained.
The Michigan avenue propertv-holderB hnve
certaiu rights which must be respected. That
they have ian easement " in the Lake front is .
fact which is beyond dispute. This gives them
4 yore in the settlement of this question which
should be listened to, and, it not listened to,
will By and by make itself heard There are no
property holders in the city who have suffered
so much since the FIRE those who are so un-
fortunate as to hold lots fronting upon the
'*LaAe Par1." Their views, therefore, aro just
IL entitled to some consideration These prop
erty-noIders arc unanimous that something
should be done to extricate their property from
the Slough OF Despond into which, through
inactiop or indifference it has been sunk.
4 grand depot, such as the railroads wish to
build, would iufuse new life into an elegant but
neglected thoyoughfare. 1t would givo an i'm
pulse nhich would result IN making Michigan
avenue, as far south AZ Harrison, aud perhapa
Twelfth street, one OF the noelest business
streets in tho city In consideration OF this
fact, these long-sutfer1ng owners OF Michigan
avenue lots are willing to surrender to tile mil
roads the legal rights in the Lake Front
which thoy unquestionaby poescss. By dong
80 they are aware that they will receive au amDlo
equivalent But they do not propose to s11Ten-
der these rights to any other party, and least OF
all to any set Of speculato1s whom the Chicago
City Council may appoint. or into whose Lands
they may clay.
II is very we'll to talk shout the ct!'s perfect
ing its titlc but this would be e1rremel7 difficult
to accomplish. Il would take much time and
money to effect. And after all was done that
could be done, the riparian right or "easement"
Of the propery-holders would rsnain, and many
suit for damages would the city have to con-
front should it dispose Of this property to any
parties whatsoever, without the conseas of the
lot-owncrs on Michigan avenue. Thesa 1ichi-
gan avenue propcrtv-holders. while looking to
their own interests, are by no meahs oblivlous Of
the interests and welfare OF the CITY at large.
The railroads companies not only propose to
make payment in cash. st a time when the city
greatly needs the morey, but they willing to
pledge themselves to erect upon the property
superb and extensive build ng, which will not
only be OF benefit 10 Michigan avenue, bat will
moi cover be an immense convenience ard a per-
manent architectural o7namout to the city.
It seems unaccounteblo that nny hon
est and intelligent member Of the
City. Council should for moment hesitate
what to do. The public are clamorous for the
sale. The propertv-ho1dcrs desire it. Every
taxpayer and business man fayors it. The
prees unanimously support it. There is no valid
reason why tho sale should not be made, and no
sound reason can be advanced why it should not
be cousummated without further delay.
The talk about what the property may be
worth III the future IS mere foolshness. What
is it worth now, and what can be got for it in
money at time when the moray is actually
needed to meet the debts Of the city?
Le- this property be sold without any more
idle talking but let there be subdivision OF
it into lots for the benefit Of private spectators,
OF for the benefit Of those who would ruin the
city, unlcas thoy eau contriye somc plan By which
they may Zurich thomselyes.
J. EsA1As WARREN.