National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-04-07
The Union railroad Depot Bin.
To the Editor Of The National RepuJlican.

To The Editor of The National Republican:
SIR On the 10th of February-sovcn week,
ngo-lIouso bill No. 3,0l7, authorizing the
Commissioners of the District to recommend u
site for Union railroad depot passed tho
House. On the day following it appeared in
the Senate was referred to tho District Com.
mittee, aud by tho committee to sub.com.
mite, of which Hon. William Pinkney Whyte
of Baltimore, is chairman. 1t struck me at
the time ns nm unfortunate reference, inas
much us Mr. Whytc is alike ncighbor and
friend of John w. Garrett, the president oi
tho Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and doubt less q
stockholder in said road, too; but Mr. Whytc
having tho character Of a high.toncd, honor
able gentleman, l Gained my apprehension
believing that he conld aud would aspire to do
exact justice in the promises and promptly
report the bill and submit it ut least upon its
merits to the Senate. But he has not done So
although he has been waited upon and written
to, and most urgently requested to do so.
This long lapse of time together with the
incxplicable indifference he manilcsts in tho
matter scarcely deignng even to see any one
upon the subject, is only calculated to awaken
the suspicion that hc Is more on the side of the
railroad monopOlies than in the interest oi
the people whose welfare lie is supposed
to consult ard crve as q member of the Dis.
trict Committee. As indicated, Mr.. Whytc
resides in Balti more, and returns to that city
| after tho Senat oral duties of each day; and as
| he probably enjoys tho luxury of FREQ passes
| and rs 1t might, moreover, suit Mr. CARROTS
convenience and pleasure TO get another years
| grace to mflict his nuisance of depot upon
| the fcrbcaTanco Of the Washington people, tho
| bill is kept back and this just measure refused
the light Of day. In a word, the profound
anxiety of $4,000 Washiugtonians represent
ing over S25,000,000 Of injured property in
| the passage of this bill is apparently, to Mr.
| Whyte and his aristocratic friend, Mr.. Gar
| rett, of no apprcciable consequence.
If Hon. William Pinkmey Whyte rides
daily to and from Washington on free passes
or It he holds stock in either of tho Baltimore
railways centring in this city then lie cannot
DO dsintcrested party in considering this
bill, and he should ask the Senate at once to
excuse him. Self-rospGct demands this; the
honor of Senator demands it. If he does not
ride free or hold stock then why delay in re-
porting this bill?
Tho people of our city have great cause fol-
| feeling not only suspicious, but Justly indig.
naut at the manner in which they are dealt by
in their honest endeavOrs to obtain legislation
toward the removal of the railroad depols
which are an admitted nuisance and an in.
superabc drawback to systematic improve
mcuts and grades of streets. This same bill
| or one of equal tenor, passed the House last
Congress, and in the Senate il was mock eted
by Hon. S. w. Dorsey, the chairman of the
District Com mttcc, who, with high Senatorial
dignity announced to the Commissioner.
even, when asked why he did not report the
bill "that it did not suit his interests to pass
it," DO tho same causes that held 1t back las,
year hold it back again this?
FAIR PLAY.