Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-02
CITY AND DISTRICT.
sENATOR MORRnLL,s RAILROAD
SPEECH.
Vigorous Arraignmens OF the Local
Roads.

RECORD OF HUMAN MISUNDERSTANDING A PUBLIC
PARx-rRE REAp1EsI LANDOWNERS OF THE AGs-
TICKET OFFICES WITHIN The cAProL-FLAGkAST
Abuses AND FoEFEIrED cHaBTERs-
In the Senate to-day Mr. Morrill, spoke vigorous
~ and at length In support Of his substitute for
the Faulkner railroad bill
Mr.. MorriI said that the Senate, to its great
hurt, appeared TO have subsidized, so TO say, the
most wealthy and powerful railroad corporation
Of the country by permitting one OF its many feed
ers or branches 70 enter the city OF Washington
rampant. there TO be petted as spoiled child with
legislative sugar-plums, and TO strange with an
iron garrote public PARK OF much promise 70 the
city, and TO oyerrun and practically swallow up
other important reservations, as well as large
avenues and streets which have often been stained
with human blood by numerous railroad homi-
cidesA
ought we not to have some faith, even though
could wish Il were stronger, that the represent
atives OF states ami OF the people Will cOurageously
declare this unfortunate railroad land grant I'M
earned-treating the case with the same measure
OF even-handed Justice We award 10 other unearned
land grants elsewhere-and restore II 10 the city
OF Washington, 10 which IL rightfuliy belongs, as
precious and iDalenable gilt from its founders?
The substitute offered by me for the steam-rall-
road bill Will be recog nized by the committee on
the District OF Columbia In It's man features as
the previous Iaborlous work OF a most respectable
number OF that committee. II IL, however, In
some respects transcript of the bill for which It
Is offered as d substitute, except that the provis
removed, and that the depots, instead OF
being on the park, are TO be south or
the Intersection OF Virginia and Maryland avenues,
or nearly originally intended By Congress and
asked for by the road IN 1878. Some OF the prOyi
siOns OF the biz reported by the senator from ILL.,
nois, granting extraordinary additional privileges
20 the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad, may be
tolerated. but, II all were 20 be granted, there
would hardly be room left for any other railroad
substitute viii largely not only relieve the north
eastern part OF the city from unnecessary occupa-
ton OF streets and avenues but wholly relieve the
park from present absolute railroad domination.
With the passenger stations placed, proposed by
the substitute south OF the intersection of Virginia
and Maryland avenues, they would be nearer TO
some OF the principal hotels OF the city,
and not one-third OF mile or more than
three minutes farther away from any. The cost
OF reaching the stations from hotels would not be
Increased single farthing, and the great Mary
land and Virginia avenues, as We'll as some reser-
vatiOnS, would be released from some part or their
present unlawful occupation Transient visitors
coming here by railroad, seldom ofteDer than once
year, or once In a lifetime. should have proper
consideration. but not more, rather less than the
hfe.long residents OF the city whose welfare
and permanently affected; and not 50 much
az national LEGISLATORS, whose reputation
ssrvitude, and for sound Judgment and I'M
partial justice should not be exposed to any dis
paragement. Like the distinguished Senator from
Railroad Co with being managed by the most
astute and accomplished railroad men OF the coun-
Try, and with dealing handsomely with the public
In most all other iOcaiitieS but that Of Washing
ton, where IL stands ready to higgle and quarrel
with Congress and with every body for the ninth
part OF hair. In Philadelphia IL is lavish In its
display OF accommodations In the heart OF the
city, and there ungrudg1ngly assumes the expen-
d1ture OF millions OF dollars. Here, on the con-
oountIes OF the Government, and. after that, upon
grabbing like freebooter, as / shall hereafter
show. Whatever it can get hold OF.
No one appreciates more than do the power OF
the gigantic Pennsylvania Railroad Company. or
more July compartments the difficulty that con-
gress must meet In doing anything in relation TO
the interests OF that company 10 which II does not
freely consent IL has got lis foot the neck Of
the PARK, and has come 10 stay, II IL can.
have no personal grievance whatever against
this or any other railroad company, but feel that
the people OF every state have some interest In the
matter now pending, and will hold Congress to a
rigid accountability for any action that does not
point TO the permanent well-being OF the city OF
washington and especially TO
TIE PRESERVATION OF THE OLD MALL
as II was handed down to US by the Father Of his
Country. TO be maintained as a national park,
such as decorate all other national capitals and
decoration OF which very few of the principal
American cities are now destitute. 1t is undoubt-
edly true that large portion OF the public has
been asking for bill from the committee on the
District OF Columbia which would remove the
depot and all tracks from 9th street. Instead OF
this they present a bill to increase the wretched
EXISTING outrage By doubling the tracks on 9th
street and by planting on the opposite side another
depot, also upon the park, and finally by surren-
derfng 9th street altogether to two railroad COM
panies. Instead OF sixty trains a day moving
across the park We are thus hereafter 10 have not
less than one hundred and twenty The
people asked for bread. and instead they
have presented 20 them stones, difficult 10 swallow
and wholly indigestiDle. They asked for the res
toration OF the parcel OF ground occupied on the
PARK by the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad,
ana instead IL Is proposed 10 rob the park OF fur
ther large and valuable strips OF land and 10 be-
stow them with royal munlficence as a free gift
upon two railroad corporations instead OF one. We
are as unfortunate as the boy who got one thumb
into his muskrat trap, and IN trying to get that
OUT got his other thumb into the trap. But most
assurediy We cannot anOfd 10 pretend to amend a
grievance while maniIeStly buttressing and per-
petuating II by more than doubling its magnitude
do not believe that any member OF the majority
OF the committee on the District OF Columbia Can
be entirely satisfied with their own bill as report
They must have consented TO IL In order 10 get nd
Of the subject, as some maidens consent TO wed an
annoying sutton In order TO get rid OF him but soon
Ind IL best 10 seek for a divorce
In 1911 the company was authorized by Con-
gres Sahd u was The extreme limit or the railroad
eompany's demandsl TO erect passenger depot on
virginia avenue, between west 9th street and west
9Th street, OF the same style architecture as that
OF the PENNSYLVANIA road at Lancaster, with the
assent OF the notable and forever 70 be distin.
guished board OF aldermen OF this city who with
quick conception and easy delivery" proposed
Instead OF this, TO Guido Congress and To give SO
much OF the mall and OF 6th street as might sat
lsfy the railroad company. The amazing gift was
promptly and hilar1ously accepted But the board
having no more legal authority TO place the COM
pany under 80 heavy load OF gratitude than Satan
had 10 give away the kingdom OF the world appli-
cation had now 10 be made TO Congress and the
reckless action OF the board was at length sub
lnlS>iErly confirmed In 1872. Touching this action
ihe earnest prayer OF many people Is now made,
GOOD Lord, deliver us!-
The General Government IS here compelled to
pay the cost value OF sites for buildings constantly
required for additional accommodations, and
Would II Dc any hardship for rich ralro d corpora
: N Drlr
Government itself IS tuexOrably SubiectedY IL
should not De accounted a trivial or minor matter
that tie Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Co ap-
pears 10 have long disregarded with entire i'm
puhlty many OF the con 1llOns Imposed upon 10 Dy
the original act or Congress Some OF these broken
conditions have been reported by the very compe-
tent commissioner Of Public Buildings and
Grounds 10 the district attorney, with q request
Tor JUDICIAL acton In the premises but little or no
attention has been paid 70 these Official requests
The company has doubtless felt sure OF a con1On-
Ing or healing act on The part Of Congress- when
ever IL should be needed, As it appears now 10 be
rendered uDasked by the Dill under consideration
Ihe Snarpest cTllclsI, perhaps, ever made is that
or f2eta 10 not Intend 20 indulge in any sIOven-
ness In statements or facts, but shall submit n
catalogue or Charges which appear 10 me 10 he
based on ample authority. II they are true they
would not seem 10 justify haste the part OF Con-
Rrc.s In the beStOwal OF large additional Railroad
Iand b. unties upon the offending party
J. i ne speed VI steam railroads within the Dis
trlct has long been regulated by law and vet the
law Is constantly, recklessy and VIGOROUSLY yio-
tateu liz P1.lce sometimes stop fast-gong horses
but apparently they have enough 10 DO 10 LOOK out
Tor themselves when a locomOye heayts i'm si,rhI-
and The district attorney also lacks Ouraye 10 seize.
the bride OF locomotive. Within Ten tiays "a
eoroner's jury has rendered a verdict OF man
more and Potomac Railroad train going al more
tEan double The rate or speed allowed By law