The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-03-22
diior Of The Dispatch:

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
The action of the Board OF Aldermen at
the last meeting in relation to the extension
Of the city railway on Main street west OF
Eighth was great disappointment TO many
of our citizens. who were no less surprised
nj the willingness OF the company to UNI
dertake the construction OF the tracks on
any terms than the readiness OF the Com
mon Council to encourage the enterprise IN
granting an extension OF the company
present franchise for eighteen years by an
almost unanimous vote. Your correspond
ent was one OF the number who earnestly
desired and hoped for the concurrence OF
the Board Of Aldermen in the action OF the
Common Council. but feared that the sub
limated notions Of certain influential MEM
bers OF the municipal Senate" would de-
feat the measure. The result shows that
our apprehensions were well founded.
1 neither know nor care TO know who
constitute the railroad company. Whoever
they NAV be give them mcrited credit for
pluck and energy in agreeing to construct
q railroad from which there can, for the
present, be no assurance OF net revenue.
Citizens residing along Main street and In
the western part OF the city near and be-
yond Monroe Park have been ardently
wishing for this road many, many years;
and now that a company OF gentlemen with
ample means have come forward and offer
ed to construct il, on the same terms that
the present line Of horse railway was con-
structed, these anxious citizens discover
that majority Of the Board Of Aldermen
are not willing that the road shall be built
unless It's projectors agree TO pave between
the tracks and on the outside thcreoi-a re-
INF N
a denial Of the right OF way.
Their argument is that if the road should
be built without this provision for paving
he streets would be rendered almost use
less for other vehicles than the hOrSe-cars.
and that the tracks could not be trayersed
by carriages. IL Is strange that the Com
mon Council-thc popular branch did
not perceive the force OF this argument.
But, granting that il presents to the minds
Of aldermen q conclusive reason Tor with
holding the charter asked for, believe that
it would have been wise in the Board to have
30 amended the ordinance as to provide
that the paving deemed necessary should
be done at the expense OF the municipal
corporation, whose duty it is to have al the
streets kept in good order. Rather this
than no road. Why: Because the con-
ytruction OF this road would not only
prove great convenience to thousands OF
people, but would prove TO be potent
means for enhancing the value Of real
estate and building up the southwestern
suburbs. In few years the increase OF
revenue to the city from this source would
reimburse it for the original expense Of pc
wing, grayelllng. or macadamiZinS between
and outside OF the tracks.
The ordinance now goes back 10 the
Common Council for concurrence in the
amendment. III the railroad company re-
refuses to accept the ordinance as amended
let the Common Council decline TO concur
with the Board, and ask for committee Of
conference, which the Board will scarcely
refuse. Then, il sagacious and intelligent
members from each branch be appointed on
this committee, il Il possible that a report
may be made which will be ratified by both
bodies, aud prove acceptable TO the COM
pany.
IL will be outrageous TO allow this en-
terprise to be killed by stubbornneSs and IN
overweening anxiety TO protect O. the in
terests OF the city. PmLOs.