The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-07-05
Steam Power on Street Railways.

uitlUh vi pTOhJ 10 themselves, out injurious
to the country and damnation to the Indian.
"
Steam Power on Street Railways.
By reference to the proceedings of the
last regular meeting of the City Council it
will be seen that the Moline and Rock Isl
and street railroad has petitioned for an
ordinance permitting the use of steam
power engines.
Subscription books have also been
opened in the city preparatory to the or
ganization of second street railway COM
pany, and it is understood to be the inteu~
ton, when organized, to ask for like
privilege.
Whether the existing street railway
company expect that the new company
will be allowed to use steam power, and
therefore they should of right have the
same privilege; or whether they expect
the city council will refuse to grant the
privilege to them and thus preclude such a
favor to rival company; either PROPOSE,
ton serves to bring the matter directly be-
fore our people.
The use Of steam power engines on
street railways is likely to meet some
opposition, possibly more than has
hitherto been anticipated the pre-
sentation of the petition called forth a
statement from prominent citizen and
tax payer that he should hold the city
responsible for all damages done him by the
introduction of steam on the street railway
between here and Moline, and he held that
under state law, or more precisely
speaking, under the organic law Of the
state, an action for such damage could be
maintained.
Using steam as a motive power upon
street railways is as yet comparatively I'M
known, and the few instances in which il
has been tried, or is now in operation. have
not demonstrated conclusively either its
feasibility or desirabiity.
The question of responsibility tor dam
age to private rights and property is one
likely to attract attention here as we'll az
elsewhere, and will perhaps in larger cities
become a matter of no little litigation
The convenience of rapid transit is the
leading iuducement on one side, the sacri
fee Of private rights and convenience foI
the benefit Of chartered corporations anC
their profits is to be considered on thu
other side.
The remarks Of the n. Y. Herald upoI
the rapid transit question In that city arr
equally applicable to this or any other cit!
where such tavors have been, or are likely
| to be, called for:
The streets are owned by the city anC
held for the use of the public as publi
highways for the passage of persons anC
property. The authority controlling thest
! highways and representing the people ha'
| a perfect right to appropriate them to an!
use consistent with the object and purpost
for which they were originally purchased
aud to which they are dedicated. What
ever rights private property owners hav
are firmly intrenched ia the constitution
and the cOurts will protect individuals il
ali their just rights, If the constitution
aud the laws do not entitle property own
ers 10 damages for any injury that may b
| inflicted Oh them by any lawful use tina
may be made Of the public streets uGde
competent authority, then, however mucI
il may be regretted, the loss must be sub
mitted to, 1t is one Of those cases il
which individual interests must yield
the general good. If, on the other hand
the constitution aud laws entitle privat
owners to compensation for such damages
then the courts will assuredly award it t
them 1t the rights Of private propert.
under the constitution and the laws are nc
secure 10 the hands OF the courts, the
there is no stability or safety in the frame
work OF the government.
No person can blame the owners Q
property for fighting tor their suppose
rights or their personal interests. Th
people sympathize with all individuals VIII
may be unavo!dably injured by any publ
work, and desire that they should Teceiv
all the just protection to which they ar
entitled 1t is the illegitimate oppositio
to rapid transit, coming from corporation
enjoying valuable franchises and enriche
by the city. that is condemned by the cit
zens who are anxious for rapid transit
The factious temporary iUjunctions whicj
are constantly cast in the way Of the grea
public improvement are mainly secures
through these corporations. The cOrrup
ton of common councils aud legislatures j
their work The people desire to see fai
play all round, Any individual legally en-
titled to damages should receive them
but so great public necessity and blessin
as rapid transit should not be withheld
from people either out of consideration
for private interests or to accommodate
horse car corporations.
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