Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-06-11
A RAILROAD RACKET
Occupies all the Time of the City
Council.
The pm. Ok. Ordinance Under Hot Fire.
important Amendments lacked On
BY the Second.

were in their places, and when Mr. Presi-
dent called them to order the members were
unusually quiet Upon Mr.. Peterson TAX
ing his seat near the center of the chamber
t was noticed by quite a number of the
members that he had copy of the P. W
Nv. ordinance in his hand in which were
numerous pieces of paper pasted. After
he routine business was COM
pleted, this ordinance was taken
up on its second reading for
amendments and then the picnic" COM
menced Never since the present members
of this branch have held seats in this body
has so large an amount of wind been eX-
pended nor so great feeling expressed as en-
last night Mr. Peterson was recognized as
the
CHAMPION or THE ROAD,
and all the speakers in opposition to lie
amendments offered by him directed their
remarks toward him personally. In fact,
at no time did he have any support except
once, when Mr.. Wilkinson and DR. JepSon
made a few remarks in favor of the amend
ments.
The first amendment offered by Mr., Pc
terson was the insertion of the words ''on
the roadway on the north side" in line 81 OF
section |. This change was made so that
the p, W. < Nv. could extend their tracks
north of the freight depot across the pro
posed new roadway work of said depot.
This amendment WAS adopted.
Mr.. Peterson wished also to Insert in this
A m tho a.
feet that the p, W 4 Ky. railroad is grant
I'd the right TO lay another track not over Il
feet west Of the present track, from iona
rhamS ravine TO the passenger depot
Mr.. Wirgerter objected to this as an
amendment, taking the grounds that it was
foreign to the subject matter of the section,
and further that it was a matter entirely
new to the Council and had not been acted
OH or thought Of bv the committee when the
ordinance was drafted During the debate
which took place after the doctors ObJec-
ton, he became very much worked up over
the matter and stated that he knew enough
about this matter: that they had failed
to live up to the agreement entered
into with him, in regard to sewers, etc. DIR.
Jepson also sided with DR.. Wingerter think
ny it was not german to the subject The
chair ruled that it was, and that as such
could be offered as an amendment.
THE QUESTION OF THE LEGALITY
Of the amendment having been decided, the
debate opened again Mr.. Stanley secured the
Aoor and spoke against the changing of the
ordinance, stating that he had not looked
the matter up as to what possible damage
might be done to private property IN the
First ward, and also to the industries along
the river front, and was in favor Of voting
The amendment down.
Mr. Peterson stated that the amendment
vas offered simply because the road needed
1t. and ifany person owned property through
which this new track would run, they would
certainly be paid the full value for
it. as the railroad had no right
to condemn property for second
rack This brought Mr. Wingerter
TO the floor with a jump. He said 81
wish to give to the members of this body
piece of history. This road crosses 81 tGet
Of MARYLAND and they paid me for placing
their main track, but gentlemen they came
rnto the Municipal Court and had q com
missioner appointed to go there aud view
my property for the purpose of laying their
spur track. That commissioner appraised
my land and was compelled to accept the
amount set by the commissioner. ! had no
voice in the matter That is history and
railroads will take mans property when
ever they want to, provided the City Coun-
ell gives them the rights of way over her
streets and alleys If that road wants an
other track let it be embodied in a new or
dinance."
Mr.. Hab,rfcld made very strong speech
against the track and cited several inStan-
ces of injustice to property. holders of the
North En- by this road. Among other
he was sw ndled out of his property by them,
he said.
The amendment was lost by a large vote,
Several other amendments were offered
by Mr.. Peterson prior to Section I all of
which ware defeated
IMPORTANT AMENDMENT.
Sectio Mr.. Peterson wished to amend
so as to !ead ihat the crossing of the 7. w.
L KY, by any other road anda such place,
as snail be decided upon by arbitrators one
of which was to be selected By the City
Council, one by the p. W. Il
Nv railroad and the other By
the road wishing to make sue
crossing" The amendment was lost and
after the reading of the eighth section on
motion of Mr.. Peterson, the former action
was reconsidered. Mr. p secured the foo
and made very long speech in favor Of
the amendment, stating that if the amend
ment was not adopted that the Ohio rive
and 2. W. 4 Ky. road would build all thei
terminal structures they needed at Benwoo
as they had so informed him during col
ference between the officials Of the roa Is
held in this city during the morning; til n
they had purchased six or seven acres OF
land there for that purpose; and further, the
amendment was nothing more than Just, as
no corporation would allow their property to
be so tied up and controlled by IL men co l.
stituting a city council, and he did
not blame them. Gentlemen he said, IF
this amendment is not adopted can assure
YOU that the roads will make their terminal
point at Benwood, for they so informed me
to-day And not only that, but the P, W.
l. ny. stated further that they would never
again ask anything of the City Council, it,
timating that members of thee Counil were
prejudiced against their road.
Mr.. Peterson was very much worked up,
and spoke with more warmth than is GUS
tomary with him. The amendment was
then adopted.
An attempt was also made to strike out
The most important feature of section 9, but
the members of this branch would not allow
it. and the motion was lost The ordinance
at lO:4O was adopted, and will have to go
to the First Branch again for concurrence.
On motion this body adjourned.
ROUTINE BUSINESS.
The Committee on Claims in their report
recommended that the sum Of $40.50 for
filing trench Of 30inch water main, which
work was done three years ago, The report
was adopted as read. -Ey
The Board Of Public Works by cemmu-
nication asked Council to make an appro-
priation to pay the following amounts: