The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1888-09-13
FORTY MINUTES IN THE CITY HALL.
General Discussion About THE Roadway.

Messrs. Bergman, Sherman, Cleve-
land and Welch answered to their
names when auditor Jewett called
the roll of councilmen yesterday eve
ming. The proceedings opened under
the head of good of the order"
Councilman Bergman said he was
desirous of having the roadway
fixed Councilman Sherman thought
something ought to be done. Coun-
Gilman Cleveland said he had seen
Gov. Pennoyer, and had told the gov
ernor what he thought about it, and
the governor said if tie roadway was
built no wider than at present he had
no objections. Councilman Robb
took his seat, and said he would like
to see the roadway fixed. Council
Cleveland said he would like to see
the roadway fixed. Councilman
Bergman was of the opinion that the
roadway ought TO be fixed, and sug-
gested that motion be made author
iZing the street superintendent to
take up some Of the crossings. Mayor
Page suggested an inquiry as to how
much money the city would be will
ing to provide for the repair of the
roadway, providing the adjacent prop
erty owners would sign an agreement
to finish such repair. Councilman
Cleveland suggested that the ada
cent property owners apply to the
county for relief Councilman Sher-
man suggested that whatever was
done should be done by contract.
Mayor Page suggested that the city
appoint a special agent to secure
a subscription list to circulate among
the property owners to see how much
they would subscribe. He thought
that it would cost about S1,500.
Councilman Welch said that part
of the property owners were willing
to do what was believed to be fair; he
thought that it would cost the city
from 5000 to $1,000 to put the road
bed in first rate order; he had not of
late given the subject much attention;
he was willing to have whatever he
owned assessed for whatever was re-
quired in the matter; that the notice
was still in force and could be put
through. Councilman Cleveland
wanted to know why the adjacent
property owners should ask that that
street be repaired by the city any
more than any other street. He
thought that the roadway ought to be
repaired,
He thought that it was disgrace
to Astoria to have property owners
act as they do in this and other mat
ters. Councilman Robb agreed with
councilman Cleveland, but didn't see
what could be done; but thought that
the roadway ought to be fixed. Coun-
Gilman Bergman thought that the
roadway should be shut up. Coun-
Gilman Welch asked where the coun-
Gil had authority to shut it up.
Mayor Page SAID by reason of its
being nuisance. Councilmen Cleve-
land and Welch recited some ancient
history, after which councilman
Welch said the property is not worth
anything; it is piece Of waste prop
erty; nothing but long bridge to
connect two communities; couldn's
sell the lots for what it had cost the
owners; thought it would be wrong to
shut the roadway up; he made mo-
tion that councilman Sherman be ap-
pointed a committee of one "to look
into the matter" Councilman Robb
seconded the motion. So did coun-
Gilman Bergman. Councilman Cleve-
land asked if this supposed that any
money was to be taken out of the
general fund: he also thought that if
any piece of that property was sought
to be bought the party desiring to
buy would soon find that it wasn't
waste property" Councilman Welch
then cited what councilman Cleve-
land had done in the way of voting
on an ordinance the night before; he
thought councilman Cleveland was a
moss back.
Councilman Welch cited the exam
pie of Seattle where he said the city
aided the property owners in the
building and extension of streets.
Mayor Page gently checked the de-
bate, which grew personal, between
councilmen Welch and Cleveland,
and councilman Sherman said he
would do what he could in the mat
ter; that he believed the roadway
ought to be fixed. Councilman Berg
man was willing to wait till the next
regular meeting, but no longer.
The motion then passed by unan-
Imous vote.
An ordinance extending the time
for improving West 9th street was
read first and second time, and every.
body went home.