National Republican., 1876-03-30
Fsmn,,tyen.a of Cit,zsn,.

At meeting OF the Committee on Public
BuildiI gs ard Grounds, held yesterday, to confer
with citizens In regard to the obstruction Of our
avenues and streets BY railroads, the Rev. b. F.
Rttipger was introduced as the representative
Of the citizens committee and OF the residents Of
South Washington, and submitted Q statement OF
gfieyances.
The grievance, he said, is caused by the daily.
recurring abuses connected with the franchise
granted BY Congress to
THE BALTIMORE AND POTOMAC RAILROAD CON.
PANY,
authorizing them to pass through certain avenues
and streets affecting private rights and seriously
Interfering with II not destroying property and
busineEs. The citizens were willing 70 afford the
company every reasonable privilege and extend
with private iights and the public good. At the
time when this company sought the franchise the
citizens earnestly protested against It being
selected the injury to be Inflicted on both private
and public property would far exceed any benefits
TO be derived from 1t. The experience Of several
years has confirmed the Justice of the protest. and
they were confident that had Congress foressen
ne abuses TO be made Of their franchise It would
ueyer have been grated.
TEE RFsIpENTs ALONG THE ROUTE
made complaint 10 one Of the courts, but the
comp sint was dismissed for want OF jurisdiction,
with the Instruction, that as Congress had
granted the franchise under which has grown
abuses Congress alone was competent to correct
the abuses, and give the relief sought for. In
obedience TO thss Instructors they had come be-
fore the committee. Mr.. Bittinger then related
in detail the grievances Of the residents of south
Washington. The constant passing Of trains by
their doors, he said, the blowing of whistles,
unloading live stock, the stencil necessarily a.
tending such freight, the loading and unloading
of all kinds OF freight in front OF their doors,
making one long, drawn out depot Of the avenues
and streets, ana occupying sometimes three
tracks with cars, was a grievance heavier than
they could bear, and 4 nuisance not TO be tole-
sd A ririyRNs In 81
this grievance greatly suffered In their business
and in their property, owing to the depreciation
Of at least one third of its value. Referring 10
the
INJURY TO TEE SOCIAL INTERESTS,
he said that they had Of the largest and finest
school ediices In the Distr:t which is capable Of
Accommodating J. 200 pupils. This school edifice
WAS In course Of erection before this grievance
was created, and there was no alternative but TO
submit 10 the Inflicted Injury. In front Of this
building are several tracks in the avenue, while
Immediately opposite are shops and engine
JeCpardzipg not only the safety and comfort Of
children in coming 10 the school, but interfering
with the exercises of the school itself
congregation, is not only tie landing for live
stcck but such is the noise produced by the oloS-
ing Of whistles, the making up Of trains, and the
certain services the greatest annoyance and dis
traction are experienced.
ASoTaER LARGE CHURCH.
labors under the disadvantage OF having
eDgine-houses and shops erected almos, liter
sented Its grievance to jury OF twelve disInter.
ested persons, who awarded damages TO the ex-
tent OF eleven thousand dollars. This award
preme Court Of the United States ratifed the
decision CT the lower court. DR.. Bittinger con-
cluded by calling the attention OF the committee
dents the jeopardy to life and limb and the yir-
tual destruction OF the public park.