St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-31
THE CITIZENS UNION.
Sixth Warders in COuncil-The Leyee
Right of Way Water Supply

There were some forty members OF the
Citizens union of the Sixth ward in attend
ahce last evening. at the general meeting.
After the usual routine business the commit
tee on streets reported, through their chair
man, c. A. Prescott, that they had called on
the engineer relative to placing the street
names on corners, and the engineer stated
that names would be placed where corner
improvements admitted, and that they would
have been so placed at the first of the month
If the weather had allowed. He also stated
that last year names had been placed on all
streets where 1t was possible.
After a recess of ten minutes for the re-
ception of names Of gentlemen wishing to
join the union, Mr.. Erdman presented the
fol owing resolution; 49,.
WHEREAS, The common council of the
city of ST. Paul has given permission and
authority by ordnance, dated January 3,
1884, to the Minnesota g. Northwestern Rail
way company To lay down, maintain and OBJ
crate on the entire length of the street or
levee fronting on the Mississippi river in the
Sixth ward, using, however, no greater width
of said street or evee than fifty feet and
WHEREAS. Said franchise and right ofwav
that said company was to commence the
construction of said railway prior to the LIST
day of June, 1884, and continue until $780,
900 were eXpeI ded, and
WHEREAS, Slid Minnesota 81 Northwest
ern Railway company has not made use of
said franchise as granted and intended by
aforesaid ordinance, therefore be it
ReSolUed, That our represen tative in the
common council. Mr.. st. Peter, be request
ed tn make all eff prts to have said ordinance
as far as the same relates to the right of way
over said 1cvee or street repealed by the
common council of tae city OF St. Paul.
On the question to lay the resolution on
the table there WAS deci led negative But
the chairman declared others than directors
had voted, and call of the roll WAS de-
manded. resulting in yes, 9; nays, H..
Mr.. Starkey moved the adoption OF the
resolution.
Mr.. Erdman explained his reason for pre-
senting the resolution was to discover if the
company intended to use the fifty feet of
ground, and if they did not intend to lay a
track at once, or within a reasonable time,
to give way to others DESTROYS to use it.
Mr.. ST. Peter did not think the
council could rescind the ordinance just yet.
1t was stipulated in the ordinance that the
company should spend $4,000.
Mr.. Erdman-In any specified time?
Mr.. st. Peter-In two years.
Mr.. Erdman-I have the ordinance in my
pocket, and such stipulation does not exist
Mr.. st. Peterswas certain such provision
did exist in the original ordinance.
Mr.. Erdman, producing u copy of the Or
dinance, read it to the meeting.
Justice Wood stated that the strip of land
was coded to the comp my on condition that
they place track on the right of way, not If
they build elsewhere as they are doing. JUS
tice Wood was of opinion that the ordinance
falls through unless the company build on
the right of way.
Mr.. ST. Peter stated that he had introduced
an ordinance to repeal the one In question,
but he found the council wax of the opinion
that Mr.. Starkey was doing alt that the ordi
nance required. He would do all he could
to have the ordinance repealed If the com
pany did not fulfil their part OF the agree
ment.
The matter excited a long and spirited
discussion, In which Messrs, Lew S, Wood,
Bole, Erlman, St. Peter, Stanley and others
took part, the general tenor being that the
railroad company had broken faith with the
citizens and thai the council should act i'm
mediLtely in the matter.
On resolution of Mr.. Erdman the matter
was referred to the committee on railroads
and transportation.
Judge Wood stating that It is q
statistical fact that it costs more for
water in st. Paul than any other city except
one in the United States, according to the
Scientific ADi"ricrl, Offered res button t. in
struct the Ommittce on mercantile and man
ufactures to investigate the matter with the
object Of devising some relief To the citizens
who are so heavily taxed for their water sup
ply. The resolution was carried, and there
being no other business the meeting ad-
iourned.