St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-05-31

TALKING OVER THE MATTER.
As soon as the petition was read Mr. J. T.
Mcmillan, who has constructed an expensive
residence on the summit of the hill, and who
would be damaged more than any other per-
son by the proposed change, gave his views,
Which were in substance that the change
was not necessary; that it would be enot-
mously expensive and more than the people
could bear; that the time had not come for
such sweeping change, and that we ought
to wait till the change was imperatively
demanded.
Mr.. Miner who resides on Fourteenth
street, opposed the change for similar rea-
sons. He said in addition that for wears
the people around in that vicinity had been
bothered with continued efforts to have this
change made, and it was continual annoy
ance to them; that they had in the mean
time gone out and improved their property,
put up fences, put out grass plats, planted
shade trees and otherwise beautifed and
adorned their property. For all this the lit
tie damages that the board of pnblic works
would allow would be no compensation
whatever. Money could not pay any man
for the ripping up and tearing to pieces his
home, and unless the improvement was
such an one as is really demanded by public
interests it ought not to be made.
Mr.. William L. Kelly spoke in opposition
to the change, and read several communica-
tions from some of those who had signed the
above petition. One communication from
William Lindeke asked to have his name
erased from the petition in case he was to be
called upon to pay any assessment for the
change. S. Bergman and J. X. Humphrey
asked to have their names taken off Mrs
Caroline Schuermeier also asked to have her
name taken off, as she had no interest in the
change. Charles Friend and Adam Decker
wanted their names taken off if the grade
was to exceed ten feet at the summit. Com
modore ". f. Davidson said in his commu-
nication that he was opposed to a cut of fiftv-
five feet at the summit, but favored reason
able grade, and thought consideration should
be given to all parties and the time DELAYED
for the work until fully needed, and adds:
''My name is TO the petition for grading, but
desire that the grade should be reasona-
ble.n
In addition to the requests above enumer-
ated in regard to erasing petitioners names
Mr.. Kelly read protest signed by W. R.
Merriam, Joseph Oppenheim, John A. and
W. N. Stees and many others in which the
signers state that they have improved their
property with reference to the present grade
of Jackson street and the streets that cross
it; that these improvements are of perma-
alo nd 81
pensive. They Therefore protest, first be-
cause the change is unnecessary and i'm
proper; second, that the destruction of yalu-
able property, would be enormous and great
ly exceed the benefits; third, that the change
proposed would make it necessary for the
city to acquire by condemnation or other
wise the ownership of the greater portion of
the real estate lying between Univer-
sity avenue on the south.
and Viola street on the north, and as far
west from Jackson street, between the
streets named as Grant street; fourth, that
all streets crossing Jackson street at the pro-
posed change of grade, will necessarily be
altered in grade. and that said change will
affect all the hill property; fifth, that no
necessity exists for said change. The grade
at present established is easy. sufficient for
all possible or probable travel over said route,
while Robert street which enters jackson
street at Sherburn avenue is only grade of
four feet to the hundred, and is an easy and
practicable route over the hill; sixth. that
without bridge over the St. Paul s. Mani
toba railway the road, as an avenue leading
to the country is valueless, but a proper
bridge will cost at least 100000, afid a
bridge is not likely to be made.
Mr.. Kelly also presented anothd6 protest,
signed by a large number of other citizens
giving the same reasons as those embodied
in the above protest, with this additional
one: ''For the reason that the shops of the
ST. Paul & Manitoba road and Oakland GEM
etery form an impossible barrier to any great
thoroughfare in that direction.''
To fortify the above and render the same
stronger Mr.. Kelly read a letter from Mr..
Thomas Lowry, president Of the st. Paul