National Republican., 1884-04-17
SOMETHING TO CHEW ON.

Following is an open letter to the district
commissioners from South Washington
&c ntleman:
To THE HONORABLE THE COMMISSIONERS
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Gentlemen:
TIL following slip is cut from the Post of this
date:
The commissioners have inspected tho public
square opposite the Baltimore aud Potomac depot
with view of considering its adaptability as q
site for the depot of the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road. 1t has been determined that the Baltimore
and Potomac depot will remain permanently oil
its present site and the commissioners will recon-
mend that the passenger depot of the Baltimore
and Ohio road be located on the other side of
the street. Several members OF congress were
consulting the commissioners on railroad matters
yesterday.
Is there any truth in the above statement
Is it your purpose to foster for all time to
come, and in tho very heart of the city of
Washington, not only the Baltimore and
Potomac road but to double the incumbrance
by bringing the Baltimore and Ohio road
alongside of the former through Maryland
and Virginia avenues and Sixth street south
west? Do you intend to rear another un-
slightly depot and its accompanying car sheds
within the public park thus fatally marring
its beauty and its utility as a park? Do you
mean that the dwellings along the above
mentioned avenues and streetsShall be made
uninhsbitable by having the bf4nd Of "Hell's
Bottom placed upon them? If this is your
purpose, the sooner the people of this afflicted
section of the city know it the better. Are
you our masters? In whose interests are you
administering the laws of this district-in that
of the people or in that of corporations?
Have you ever consulted the people in
terested in the property and business along
the lines of these roads within the
city? Never to my knowledge. 1t is
true we have had conferences with
you at our own solicitation, but never on
your voluntary motion, in order to accortain
our wishes as 20 the existence or removal of
these roads. And have you ever given heed
to any suggestions wo have made you on the
subject Of their removal? Have the people
Of South Washington no rights which neither
the commission or s nor these "huge moneyed
corporations" should respect? Let me say to
you in all candor, that matters in South
Washington are reaching white heat, and if
you would avoid n possible collision of inter-
esting forces, you will at once give some as
surances to this people that their fears are
without foundation.
We are opposed to 'mob-law or violence of
any kind, but the atmosphere is impregnated
wi tn the virus Of mob-violence, and if the
disease should break out in a malignant
form, there is no telling what may be its
ravages. Who can prophesy results when
forbearance ceases to be virtue?"
The people of South Washington demand
that the b altimore and Potomac road shall
DC IcuONSu anu virginia ave-
nues and Sixth street, and to this end we
have from time to time appealed to you to
use your official influence 10 secure this
desired result. We have also appealed re-
peatedly to congress as the sole law-making
power of the District of Columbia. but to no
effect, if the facts are as stated in the forcgo-
ing slip from the Post There is then but
one of two alternatives left us, either to
quietly submit to these continual grievances,
and to the further destruction Of our prop
erty as well as that of our household COM
forts, and to the marring of the beauty and
contour Of this portion of our city, or to take
the "bull by the horns" and "knowing our
rights dare maintain them" Which shall
it be?
But the property holders and residents of
South Washington will not be content with
out struggle for their rights The Balti-
more and Potomac road cannot remain much
longer in its present location, much less can
the Baltimore and Ohio road be allow ed to
take position alongside of the Baltimore and
Potomac road and thus both gain perma-
nency in the very heart of tho city. This
we are now struggling to prevent. We are
d etermined that the Baltimore and Potomac
road shall vacate Maryland and Virginia
avenues and Sixth street southwest at no
distant day.
The Morrill, senate bill, No. 1873, designates
sroute that satisfies ninety-and -nine-hun-
drcdths of the people, and ought to satisfy
the commissioners. congress, and these roads.
You should heed the voice of tho people. 1t
is wisdom on the part of those who make the
laws as well as those who administer them, to
consider somewhat at least the wishes of the
people as we'll as that of corporations. Each
have their rights under the laws OF the land.
and il each will properly respect tho rights of
the other, where neither are encroaching
upon the other, concord and harmony will
exist Then avoid forcing upon us the ultima
ratio regum Very respectfully, your obedient
servant, G. p. CULVER,
In behalf of the people.
WASUINGToN D. O. Anril 10