The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-14
A SCORCHING REPORT
CONCERNING THE NEWPORT NEWS
81 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY RAILROAD.
The Taxing District Authorities Say the
Company Has Not Compiled With It's
Contraot-Abrogation OF the Same
Threatened By the Council.

The following report concerning the
Newport News & Mississippi Valley Rail-
road was read to the legislative Council
yesterday and unanim ously adopted:
The committee appointed for the pur-
pose OF examining into tho contract be-
tween the Taxing District and the New
port News & Mississippi Valley Railroad
would report as follows Said contract is
dated August 10, 1887. and runs for two
years, expiring August 10, 1889, or In
about sixty-three days from this date,
June 10, 1889, and we find that the con-
tract has not been complied with In anyof
its terms or conditions, aud the only
moneys expended by said Newport News
4 Mississippi Valley Company in the full
iillment OF said contract IL about $50, 900
in paving Front street from Poplar street
TO Jackson avenue. which was completed
about May ], 1889, when the contract
provided that 1t should be completed by
August 10, 1888, or nearly nine months
after IL shotfld have been finished. We
find that by the terms OF said contract it
would require an expenditure OF nearly
100000, which was the principal consid-
Grafton therein, in tho shape OF union
depot and depot grounds, and the show
ing is therefore that little more than 10
per cent. has been expended; and we
further find that il is impossible for
said railroad company TO complete
all the requirements IMPOSED upon
them and remaining unfinished at
this time, even though the said contract
be extended for q period OF twelve months
or longer. The grounds in question have
been cXcavatod at,placcs by parties hay
ing lots 10 fill, and the excavations have
been made in such manner that the prem
Uses are now In an unsanitary and danger
Gus condition, having thereon eighteen
open cisterns, four old closets and several
stagnant ponds OF water and covered
with weeds and debris, and some places
have been made n dumpingground for
refuse matter OF all kinds; and therefore
said premises, rs they now appear, arc a
nuisance and very injurious 10 the public
health. Moreover, the uncertainty OF any
public improvement on these grounds, or
the purposes for which they were pur.
chased and this contract made, renders
the property between Front and Main
streets and Auction and Poplar streets I'M
marketable, and the city is therefore los
ing considerable revenue, and much pri-
NAlN l'elNlNl Al lbluiNh hlltitOls
From Information furnished by the City
Engineer We are informed that said rail-
road company intends building the retain
ing wall ON the west side OF Front street in
such manner rs will leave only sidewalk
four feet in width, the entire length OF the
promises, or about 1900 feet. This is not
permissible and should not bc allowed
under the contract In view OF these
facts and the apparent indifference Of the
said railroad company, your committee
would advise that the said railroad COM
pany he notified that unless II furnishes
this Council with something more def
mite than promises before August Is. 1889,
that the Taxing District Council will abro.
gate said contract and declare tho same
void. And that II Is advisable to compel
them 10 put the premises in good sanitary
condition Immediately.
Respectfully submitted.
4. J. GRAHAM,
CuARLEs kNEY,
JouS l.. RANDLE.