Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-03
THE TUNNEL COMPANY
MEETING OF coKMoH cOUScILTo-NIoHr
TO CONSIDER THE ORDINANCE.
A Great Work Promised by the Richmond
and Chesapeake Railroad
Company.

The Common Council will meet in
special session at o'clock tonight to
consider the ordinance from the Board
of Aldermen granting the Richmond
and Chesapeake Railroad Company the
right of way through the city.
This company. organized under the
charter granted it by the General Assem-
bly,, proposes to build a railway from
Richmond to the bayshore on the North
ern Neck of Virginia.
1t also wishes to build double-trsck
tunnel from the present northern ter
minus of Eighth street under Eighth
street to point near Cary street, where
it will emerge. 1t is with this particu-
lar matter that the Council has to deal.
THE NEW ORDINANCE.
About year ago the company had all
the franchises that they are now seeking
from tho city, but they were then unable
to secure the cooperation OF capitalists
upon whom they counted, and hence
failed TO make the deposit Of Si00, 600
an indemnity fund-demanded by the
city, and their privileges lapsed. Now
they have reorganized, and announce
that they have made very desirable and
complete financial arrangements
The ordinance reported from the Com
mittee on Streets and passed 10y the
Board Of Aldermen makes only this
change that the company can pnt up
tho personal security of acceptable citi-
zons. To insure this they make a de-
posit of $4,000 with the City Treasurer.
Mr.. Charles f. Bolyin has already de-
posted his certified check with the
Treasurer for the $1,000. which will be
forfeited if the company fail to give
bond.
The 500. eco bond required is TO in
dcmnify AL parties who may suffer dam
age by the construction of the tunnel,
and if any part of this sum Is absorbed
by damages awarded such amount is to
be replaced, 70 that Sloo, GOO shall be
maintained intact for the security OF
those property.owners who may DO in
lured.
In the Board OF Aldermen the ordi-
nance now 10 be acted upon was passed
with only one dissenting voice, and that
member said he had not had time 10
give the paper that consideration which
it demanded. and hence was not pre-
pared TO vote "Aye.'
WHAT GOOD WILL 1T DO?
Mr.. CHARLES l.. Belyin, one Of the
leading spirits in the company, said yes
terjay: Both the road and the tunnel
will be built. If We get the franchises
now asked there will be no doubt about
it. The immediate benefit Richmond
will receive will be in the expenditure OF
hundreds OF thousands of dollars for tho
construction of the tunnel that will be
very great. The money will all be spent
in the wages Cf mechanics and working
men and We are ready 10 proceed with
the construction at once. But tins Will
be little or nothing compared with the
valuable country the road will open To
the trade and enterur,sa of Richmond.
II is a section of Virginia that now trades
almost exclusively with Baltimore With
this road built-and J tell you 1t certain
lv will be tuiit Richmond will Oc able
to command the great bulk Of It.
But what will be the use OF the tun-
mel ?
1t will. said Mr. Belvin, enable the
city in good time to abolish surface rail
roads on our streets, and will allow us to
have really union depot.
Is there any objection from Eighth
street property-holders?
Very httle. You see this ordnance
was framed by the City Attorney; We
/ take 1t Just As it comes from his hands,
and there is every possible safeguard
| thrown around citizens interests. Who
ever suffers injury will DO compensated.
/ Read the ordinance and you will see that
this is 50. But AS a matter OF fact some
Of the largest property owners on Eighth
street are stockholders in this company,
and are asking that these franchises bo
granted. And it is equally a matter OF
! fact that there are very few buildings
that can possibly be hurt, even to the
extent Of feeling the tremor Of a passing
train. so deep under ground will be the
tunuel in most places and so stout will
! the masonry be-
How about the money?
All Of this-road and tunnel-will cost
about 1000, 900.
| know, but, queried the reporter, is
all that arranged for?
Yes, said Mr. Belyin, we now have the
men interested with us who will carry
this work forward and make n success OF
it. No doubt about that; all we ask is
that there be prompt action 10y the Coun-
ell. There is nothing new in what We
are asking; it is what the Council and
the people are committed to after years
Of discussion.