Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-03-04

PUBLIC MEETING THE RE- ESTABLISHMENT
or TIE MARYLAND FERRY LINE--A largo
number Of cluzsns. includ!og many of tho most
prominent business men. assembled o. Har-
monte iIa, last plight, in response to the call
published n tho Gazette, to consider matter
Of i'm nOrtarco TO the entire community.
At S &C COX Mr.. Horny Strauss called tho
meeting to order. cad Mr.. Il g. Lsadbaa.er
vas elected chairman, sid Msyor B:ckham,
secretary.
Mr.. Loadb,a!cr stated the objcc: of the
meeting. lie said the steamer Virginia had
been withdrawn from tbs limo botw zen this CITY
and MaryIsod. and Was DOW tied up q. the
wharf; tina! all. CT nearly R. tho merchants Of
this c!ty had Maryland trade. and those who
were not directly, we're iodrecly benefited
by tho Marglsud people coming here; that
trade was now goce 70 Washington By way Ct
q splendid Tree turnpike, oecsuso there vas
no steamer to bring it 10 this city that tho
Maryland people hsd told hin that they would
rather COMO to Alexandra, 10 save time, if
steamer was on tho line running at moderate
prcos for passengers and freight. MIR. Lead
bebtcr, continuing, said the steamer Vlrgioia
vas built by stock company. Gbou. fifteen
wears ago, at cost OF over S., 900; that it was
rul under the management OF Dir. B. Wheat
until E debt OF about $l,lO0 was contrac.od
ths. tho steamer was then transferred to MIR.
Wheat for that d,bt who had run Il up to last
fall; that the steamer could now be purchased
irCm Dir. Wheat for 81. 200. not less. The
cZnopso OF running the steamer for the years
1872 50 was 8 little OVER s. POO; the receipts
dlyl0g these years were sufficient only 10 pay
expenses. s. that those who contributed for the
purchase tf tho steamer need expect 20 dyi-
deDds; ob.us $500 would bs required
s. POO Tor the bost, $500 for repairs, and 500
repairs 10 tho road on the Maryland side lesG-
iDg 10 the terry wharf, which was 10 o very bad
cjndl.ion.
Mr.. Strauss said i! WIS to Inc Interest of ell
10 get back the msrYlapd trade, and be hoped
The 9csmer would BE- purchased, snd the seam
Terry lice Immediately re established He
would open Tho subscription list with a contr.-
IN i1n OF S25
Mr.. |. Ecbborg was sorry to SEQ SO few
1rt5ont. lis was Hlllog 10 contribute to the
enterprise DeCluso he k8lw bo would got bis
subscription b1ck IN short time. tus he was
not wiI'Iag that few shoull pay Tor tbrg
that would bsoef: all.
MayCr Beckham moved that bot kl be opened
Tor Subscriptions no! TO tX,eed 81 500, end thlt
The steamer DO purchased aad turced ever TO
Nr. Wn. s. Moore. providing 10 would asrec
10 b here Ter prescribed.
Mr.. }. I. AEGow thought, If there wes moth
Irg TO prevent, the city ought to rrr:hsse tho
steamer and run l.. lilo wss Wiog TO sub
'crlbo. bu. 30 could COZ see Whero he woud BIO
beNtft cd.
MIR. John NJ. johnson moved IS q substitute
10 Mayor b. ckbsm's molion. that committee
OF three DC appointed to have bill passed by
tho Legislature giving the City Couucil gu hoI-
Hy to purchase the Gamer sud run it. or lease
1t to tho highest bidder. taking necessary pre-
c'utIOn 10 protect Itself against damages 10 case
Ct accident. Mr.. johnson advocated this plan
aud said that ether cities supported ferry FIR
the bcach! OF their Cit zops. He thought
the enterprise, if conducted right. would biiog
thousands OF dollars to the city.
Mayor Beckhom had no objso ion to the sui
StIiu:o but tc did not think the city c)uld m, ko
Inc purchase OF the steamer at present.
Nj. f. A. Reed thought the plan proposed
hy ,Nes;r3, AcEeW aud johnson proper oDs
indeed tue only ono by which tho e.camcr could
'erun with good results.
Mr. Bcckhsm Withdrew his motion, aud Mr.
Johnson substitute vas adopted.
Tho chair then appointed Messrs John Nj.
'ohn;oo, }. 7. Agnew and james Smith the
committee, and the meeting adjourned 50! C.
10 the CilI 0! tho chair.