St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-02
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The Robert Street Bridge Discussed
and Two Votes Taken.

and Two Votes Taken.
communication was read from the New
York board of trade asking the chamber for
assistance to aid in the passage of national
bankruptcy bill. The amount asked for
is $40.
Mr.. Noyes said he was opposed TO appro-
priating any money for this purpose. He
thought the chamber ought to reafEirm its
previous action In regard TO this matter in
favor of bankrupt law by congress, and
made a motion 10 that effect, which was
adopted.
THE ROBERT STREET BRIDGE.
The matter of the construction OF bridge
across the Mississippi at Robert street was
taken up. the resolution of Gen. Bishop, as
follows, being the matter laid over from the
last meeting, forming the exact subject Of
discussion:
Resolved, That the chamber Of commerce
approve the location OF the proposed wagon
bridge at Robert street, and will approve its
construction upon the following conditions
only: First that no more than $500, 900
already authorized shall be expended on said
bridge at the general expense Of the city, and
second, that if said bridge shall cost more
than 5000, 900. the excess shall be levied as
special ass, ssm, Mt upon the property 10 the
First ward aud Second and Sixth wards that
may be Immediately and directly benefited
by the construction of said bridge, authority
for such special assessment to be obtained If
necessary from the legislature.
Mr.. Delano offered the following as a sub
stitute for Gen. Bishops resolution:
Res0lved That the st. Paul chamber Of
commerce recommend to the city council
that they proceed with the Robert and Ducas
street bridge on the enlarged plau for the
same as made by City Engineer Somers,
provided that such enlarged bridge shall not
exceed a total cost Of $500, 900, and the said
city council procure legislative authority for
an additional issue and sale OF city bonds to
the extent of 100000 with which, or SO
much thereof as is necessary, 10 complete
said enlarged bridge.
Mr.. Somers, city engineer. made a state
meDt in reply TO question from Mr.. Moves,
to the effect that the piers of the present Wa
bashaw street bridge were not in good con-
dition. In some places stones were loose
and in some other places stones had dropped
out. Tn piers be said would have TO be re-
paired in order 10 make them secure and
and safe. He was questioned by various
memb ers, the result being that it WAS learned
that the piers OF the present bridge are not
what they ought TO be.
Gen. Averill expressed himself in favor OF
a bridge to cost $500, 600. II we are
to have a bridge 10 cost more than that
SUN the balance should be assessed upon the
property specially benefited.
Mr.. Gribben expressed himself 10 the same
effect and urged that at least one quarter of
the cost be assessed upon the property near
est the bridge
Mr.. 0ppehhem argued against this. He
had heard that MIR. Murray had prepared bills
for constructing bridge in upper town and
another in lower town besides the Robert
street bridge. Now, if this plan OF assessing
a part of the cost upon the property specially
benefited be adopted, it would wrong
the Sixth ward On this side of the river
the Fourth would will be assessed for the up
town bridge and the Fifth ward for the
bridge in lower town, while the Sixth ward
would be assessed for both bridges.
Dr. Day opposed the proposition of the
construction Of bridge and referred TO the
chances of hard times and the difficulty of
collecting taxes; but IL we are to have a
bridge he wanted to have good substantial
one. He had seen the tax list go by delin-
quent. We shall have hard times; rely
upon it. Things repeat themselves, and all
We ought TO 60 slow and be careful. In his
opinion the only good argument in favor of
the bridge is that it can be built more cheaply
now, in consequence Of the cheapnes of ma
terial.
Mr. McClung argued generally in favor Of
the bridge and against making a special as
sessment.
Mr.. Seabury spoke against the construc-
ton Of the bridge. He did not think a
bridge was needed at this point any more
than a nth wheel is needed to a wagon, and
he would vote against the building of a
bridge AZ the foot of Robert street ali
the time. We do not need it. We had bet
ter attend to some other matters that will be
more important to US. The previous ques-
ton was here called and carried, when a di-
rect vote was called on the Delano substitute
and lost by the following vote:
Yeas--Delano, Drake, Fairchild, Hall, Nc
Chung, Merrill, Morton, Murray, Nichols,
ODpenheim, Somers-l1.
Nays-Averill, Barney, Berkey, Bishop,
Blakely, Day, Fogg, GIibben. Harbaugh,
IugerSoll, Kelly, Lindeke, LuddeR. Moves.
Seabury, Stoue-l6.
A vote was then called on
the resolution of Gen. Bishop which was
slightly amended by striking out two or three
words which did not 60 10 the merits Of the
question. When Captain Berkey's name was
called he explained that be was i'm favor or
bridges generally and was not opposed TO
this except that it WAS, in his opinion in
ADVANCE of the times. He rode over the
bridge the other day with the mill man in
West St. Paul VINO sad the Wabashaw
bridge was not used up to
its present capacity. He therefore,
voted no. At the conclusion Of the call ii
was discovered that the resolution mad been
adopted by il TO l3, as follows
Yeas-Averill, Bishop Biakeley, Drake,
Fogg Grlbben, Harbaugh, Ingers 81, Liude
Luddeu, Merrill, Noyes, Oppenheim, Stone
Ia.
Nays-Barney, Berkey, Day, Delsno, Fair
child, Hall, Kelly, McCiung Morton, Murray,
Nichols, SeaDury, Somers-l3.
Capt. Blakeley moved a reconsideration,
and that the consideration Of the matter be
laid over Tor one week. which was carried
aud the board adjourned.
Real Estate and Building.