St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-09

strip of land between the south line OF the
southerly sidewalks and the northcrly line
of the st. Paul, Minneapolis Manitoba
roads freight grounds along Third street not
less than twelve feet wide. to be used
exclusively by teams and vehicles
doing business with the Manitoba
road on its freight grounds, land
this street is set apart by the city for
the uses above named" The city also
agrees that as soon as the bridge is COM
pleted. TO close and keep closed forever to
travel as a public thoroughfare, except
over and above the bridge so much of
Third street as lies between the eastern and
western termini of the bridge. and to main
tain, repair and keep in repair. at its own
cost and expense, the bridge aud approaches
and all parts thereto belonging.
DISCUSSION.
At the conclusion of the reading of the
reports and contracts Mr.. Thompson made
a motion that the report be referred back
for recommendation as to what course
should be pursued in order that the citizens
of ST. Paul might be relieved in the future
of taxes for building approaches and the
paying of damages to AUDITING property.
Mr.. Cochran said this motion was very
serious one, and one that was likely to in
vOlve the city in a very large expenditure
of money. He understood AIR. Murray to
assert that the city was bound for all time
by the memorandum of 1880. The report
should be returned to the committee to as
certain how far the city is bound. if at all.
Mr.. Murray declared that he had never
given his opinion as to the legal effect of
the memorandum of 1880. He had one as
to the moral obligation of the city.
Mr.. Cochrau-Should the city council orde
you to test the matter by suit in the courts
would you obey or resign?
Mr. Murray will say this much. would
obey or resign, If that suits the gentleman.
The memoranda of 1880 were read. They
were signed by the railroad officials and not
by the city. Mr.. DelanO urged that these
railroad crossings were subjects of special
contract. and that under Mr.. Kelly'S reSolu-
ton. the Third street bridge would not be a
precedent He claimed that there was no
power to compel the railroads to build a
bridge. Mr.. Murray thought that the more
the chamber talked about the matter the
less it knew. The same question will come
up over the Mississippi street bridge, and
also in West St. Paul. 1t might be a source
of entertainment for the chamber to talk
the matter over two or three hours every
Monday morning. Perhaps If it did it
would satisfy the Dispatch and the att0r-
ney who writes its editorials.
Mr.. Cochran-I object to this kind Of talk.
Mr. Murray---What part?
MIR. Cochrau-You will find out before
am done.
Mr.. Cochran explained what was needed.
and that the matter should be settled now,
and that the city should not wait for the
Mississippi street or the Sixth ward bridges.
Mr.. DelanO said Murray had said that there
was no way to compel railroads to build
bridges across streets and roads. He was
of the opinion that under the Minneapolis
decision the city had the authority to order
the bridges built and to compel their con
struction. Some further talk was INDUCED
in as to referring the subject to commit
tee of lawyers. and as to how it could best
be settled when Mr.. McCIung offered a
resolution that was adopted. to the effect
that the subject be referred back to the
committee, the chair to add three members
thereto, and that the committee be requested
to report next Monday brief summary OF
all the facts and the obligations and policy
of the city in the premises. The president
added Messrs. Cochran. Horn and Stephens
to the committee.