New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-06
GIVING AWAY STATE LANDS.
ROCHESTER, TERMINAL COMPANY ANGRY.
COMPLAINING THAT THE sUPfRINTENDENT or
PUBLIC WORKS HAS DONE FOR PARTY on
DEMOCRATS WHAT HE WOULD NOT DO FOX

COMPLAINING THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT on
PUBLIC WORKS HAS DONE FOR PARTY on
DEMOCRATS WHAT HE WOULD NOT DO FOX
OTHERS.
ROCHESTER, Feb Special stir is caused here by tho
statement that James Sbanaban, Superintendent OF PUB
lie Works. has conveyed to company composed O. Kos
well r. Flower, Allen c. Beach, senat McSaugnton ana
other noted Democrats, without consideration TO the
Stale, strip of land of great value belonging to the
State. II is said that legislative investigation VIII Do
demanded by prsons less interested in the
subject
The State OF New York owns the west bank OF the
feeder which CONVEYS water from the Genesee RIVER 10
the level at Rochester This feeder hank varies In wdth
from fifteen to thirty feet and extends from the south
line OF the city along the east bank OF the Oenesee -
Courst. In the heart OF the town, distance OF about
two miles The Importance Of this avenue may be esu-
mated from the fact that the last road TO enter the city
the Rome, WatertOwn and Ogdensburg. paid about
$5OO00O for the privilege.
year or so ago the Rochester Terminal Railway
Company organized TO construct, operate and main
tain q railway over the State lands above described,
cross the river the south line Of the city and run
thence TO the Buffalo, NewYork and Philadelphia hall
way and its terminals TO its Junction with the
Rochester and Pittsburg and New York Central THIS
would also give the road to the West Shore ana
the Lehgh Valley IL 1t should be constructed over ts
proposed line. The Terminal Railway Company was, IL
is said by one OF the above enumei
ated but which could not be learned. Land was
acquired by the company after the usual maps ana
veys had been made portion OF the route, ana
application made to Mr. Shanahan for consent or
license TO occupy at his pleasure and upon sucb con-
be might impose the lands Of the state referred
to- aud in addition thereto TO pay the sum o, $ooo
TIE company oere TO rip rap snd maintain during the
term the consent both and feeder banks ana
protect the State from nigh water as well as TO furnsh
within period terminal facilities along the canal
for all roads desiring thereto
BY statute the Superintendent OF Public Works Is
authorized to grant such rights Or at least this mas
been the practice of those who have filled the office l"r
mauy years Mr. Shanahan. after scnlngto the petton
Company refused his Consent on the ground that an
opinion nie III his Ohce. written by the Attorney
General whereby IL was maintained ;bat the eupeIin-
tendent had authority whatever to grant such per
NIT or suffer such occupancy By any road IN tue state
An application was made 10 the A.srney-Generdl f0r
modification or withdrawal OF THIS opinion ine
AItorDcy-Genera thercupon wrote an opinion IN when
lie maintained tiat when the superintendent was sats
he'd that would contribute tonnage to the canal.
such power existed and that IN the case in aand ne
State. Frequently since the making OF ts decision the
application been renewed and IN every case refused
by The superintendent.
A few weeks ago railway organization was
formei to occupy this same strip OF land aud tue rces
entered urou the premises and lai Its ties anu rails
Notice was at serv d By the state aut orties 70
vacate at once IL now appears that Mr. ehananan has
granted u consent TO t.c new company when IA CON
trolled by Roswell Z. Flower ana e otner gentlemen
raIUad tns strip Uf land belonging u the state
Au oer Of the Terniua Company said lie was satisfied
tuat the failure Of his company to acquire ths risht OF
owing to The absence OF stipulation that the
OF Snanauan, contractors, should DO tue
work Of construction. notice has b-en sent 20
Albany. IS SAID, demanding tue revocation oi IhIs
permit and requesting tns strip Of land or lease
Uf H. exposed for sale ana sold - the highest lddtr
ana the thercfr'm Dc paid info the treasury Va
the State for canal purposes Ihe property when s III
controversy is said "y many to he worm upward W
$2OOOU0 In the meanwhile tue tracks Uf tue IcrIlhai
Company havo been ,Oru up by order OF MI sbaialal
There Is much excitement railroad circles over
this controversy. 1t is believed by many TO be an
effort the part Of the Lchigh Valley aud Delaware,
Lackawanna and McsieIn Ra.lIoad Companies 10 gain
an entrance Rochester and that the lat TER has sue
cceded ia drawing Shanahan into d al, which gives
temporary a,Vsn agc, VIII lc the former, on account
of priority of Application aud peehpti0n, Is cnttled
to The franchise.