Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-10-16
SEVENTH STREET..


merce Yesterday-The Street and the
Bridge, and Ali the Neighboring Streets
and Bridges, Discussed and Cussed to
Everybody's Dissatisfaction.
The Seventh street bridge and Dayton's
bluff received quite an airing in the board
of directors of the chamber of commerce
committee yesterday morning. The con-
dsieration of this matter was before the
board at the previous meeting and was
postponed till yesterday morning. 1t was
spoken of yesterday morning, but this
is mistake. It was never made the
special order at all, but simply postponed.
AS it was well known that the board would
consider the subject, quite large repre-
sentation from the section of the country
interested was present, and some of them
participated in the discussion.
Capt. Berkey, in referring to the use of
the tunnel, stated that it would be much
more advantageous and convenient if par
ties driving through would take the right
hand side both ways. He recently came
through and found people taking both
sides and any side. This created great
confusion and completely blocked the tun-
mel.
j. j. Lemon complained of the delay at
the Seventh street bridge and the conse-
quent inconvenience suffered by the peo-
pie on the bluff. He thought the blockade
would increase and that in short time af
fairs would be much worse than they are
now.
Mr.. Freeman Smith complained about
the way in which the railroad authorities
run their trains. 1t was not uncommon
for them to stop on the bridge over the
tunnel and blow off steam, dripping hot
water down upon the horses
that are passing underneath. He had
seen iron couplings dropped down
through the bridge, and had no doubt that
the man that was found dead under the
bridge some months ago was killed in this
way. With the increase of population and
business on Dayton's bluff, we need more
bridges any way and ought to have
bridge at Fifth street and also at Sixth.
He thought that as the people on Dayton's
bluff had contributed to the Fort Smelling
and Wabashaw street bridges, it was no
more than right that the people of the city
should contribute for the bridges to Day
toms bluff.
Hon. P. H. Kelly felt very deeply in re-
gard to this subject. He is one of our
most public spirited citizens, is always
free and liberal in contributing to all pro-
jects for the benefit. of the city. Besides
this it was but a short time ago that he
was thrown from his buggy and dragged
through the tunnel He urged the bridg
ing of Third street from Commercial. It
was burden to live over there, the way
things now are, and he was thoroughly dis
gusted. If they were to remain would sell
out his house at fifty cents on the dollar
and go some where else to where he could
have peace and quiet, and where
his family could be safe. At present his
family could not go out in the evening
There was no use to speak to him about
the Opera house. He and his family could
not go there.
Mr. Murray thought the talk should be
confined to the consideration of Seventh
street. It was not best to include too
much. He argued generally that the city
authorities were doing the best they could,
but they found great difficulty in getting
any definite and decisive answer from the
railroad authorities. They promise verbal
ly, but they can not be got down to black
and white.
Mr.. William Lee repeated what the city
authorities had failed to do about protect
ing the tunnel in case tie railroad did not
do what it ought to.
Capt. Blakeiy regarded Dayton's bluff as
quite an important part of this city, and
a part that is rapidly becoming more and
more important. Every effort should be
made to keep open all suitable avenues of
communication with it.
Alderman Van Slyck argued that it was
best to let Seventh street alone, and allew
the contractor to 60 ahead with the work
and complete, but in the meantime fix up
the other streets SO that they can be used
and the people accommodated.
Hon. P. 81. Kelly renewed his argument
in favor of bridging Third street and Of
fered to contribute the money for its con-
struction. Some years ago some promi-
nent railroad men proposed to him Kelly
to have Third street condemned, but he
was opposed to it, and now referred with
pride to the many large business blocks
that have been erected on il since then.
question was raised at this point that
the subject matter was not properly be-
fore the board, inasmuch rs the committee
that made the report had been discharged
before the report was made. This view of
the case was objected to and the board con-
cluded to accept the case with all the in
formalities and go right along just as
though there was no objection.
MIR. William Lee was opposed to tenn
porary bridge across Seventh street. 1t
was impossible. He favored putting
Fourth street in good order, plank the road
way at the culvert, board up the track and
the sides of the railroad and keep it we'll
lighted.
Capt. Blakely said the town was spread
ing and it will be necessary to bridge Rice,
Jackson, Seventh and Third streets and
the fact ought to be recognized. 1t will
cost great deal to do this but it will have
to be done some time.
Mr.. Adam Gotzian favored the Third
street bridge. He admitted that he had
circulated paper and got several hun
dred signatures on it in favor of a tempo
rary bridge over Seventh street. He did
this for the reason that he thought they
would have no use of the new bridge for
two or three years. He was perfectly
willing to abandon the ten porary
bridge if it was thought best. He com
planned because the city tore down the
old bridge before it had let the contract
for the new one. Business on lower
Seventh street had fallen off so per cent.
The farmers and country people will not
come here. The destruction of the bridge