Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-02
A DOUBLE-HEADER.
Council Holds VI Sessions-''switch in Alley"
Denied-A Quiet Meeting Accepts Cfti-
zcns' Light Proposition. 1t Being
the Highest Bid

Main from Orme to Williams. Inc peGl-
ton for and remonstrance were out in act
i've hands getting ready for the council
meeting in the evening. There were often
animated discussions, the one party think
ing it would be benefit to property and
another thinking it would be an injury.
The lobby of the council was well filled
by property owners. They were worked
up to the cheering point on both sides and
anxious to know what was going to be the
result of the meeting. At o'clock Presi-
dent of the Council P. V. Healy
called the meeting, when Mem
bers of the Council Carson, Down
ing, Schnitzler, Mercer, Herrig
Coffin, Glaze, Wight, Williams, were at
their desks.
The committee on franchises, Of which
Carson was chairman, made report
which consisted of submitting the result
of rustling after the wishes of the property
owners The petition and remonstrance
were read. The total Of the petition for
the switch was 1856 feet. 1t was repre-.
scented that all the property in the list adj
Joined the alley either on the east or west
side.
The remonstrance total was 1.sS5 feet, or
less than the petition for.
Carson, in order to get the matter before
the council moved the ordinance prepared
to authorize putting down the switch be
placed on its passage,
Mercer inquired if the franchise was
given to a private party if they could
force the condemnation Of private prop
erty, which in this case would come up,
as the alley does not reach Orme street.
The chair said that the question might
be difficult one to settle.
Carson inquired if the city would be
compelled to keep the alley in repair if
franchise passed. He said in his opinion
the ordinance submitted very defective
and the city attorney was absent and had
left no one to attend to his bust
ness, and nothing could be done until his
turn.
The chair decided that the council could
not pass any ordinance in the absence Of
the mayor.
Carson then stated if the position Of the
chair was correct the motion should
not be entertained, when Healy re-
piled that he had allowed the motion
in order to get an expression Of the prop
erty owners and members of the council.
Downing moved the franchise be
granted, thinking that would enable the
council to give an expression of opinion.
Carson suggested that parties were on
hand who would like to give an opinion on
the matter.
Mr.. Corbett being called upon said he
had explained the matter rather thorough
ly last evening and no use to repeat 1t.
He was willing to move cars on the switch
with horses and plank switch and keep it
in as good a condition as possible.
Healy said the franchise would call for
condemnation of property.
VI. w. Behrlng said that the majority
were actuated from feeling of gain.
1t was matter OF business
strictly. The petition for repre-
scented more property than the
remonstrance. The council would be act
ing according to the wishes of the MAORI
ty of the property holders by allowing the
franchise He referred to the condition of
things on South Market as a business
point and as represented by the appear
ance of the large business buildings. The
south part of the city had been getting
left on business establishments and mostly
due to fault of property owners. 1t was
intended to make it a business or resi-
dence.-street. If the former the switch
would enhance value and if the latter bet
ter mark down prices from one to six
thousand per lot and 90 to identifying.
The wholesale grocery company asked no
aid from any one, ii simply asked for IA
cilities which if allowed would
increase value of property. He did not
consider the remonstrance falr test
of the opinions of the signers as they had
put down their names not fully aware of
the facts.
When MIR. Behring had finished his talk
as property owner, Mr.. Smythe, an at
torney employed by the remonstrance
people, and partner of Councilman COT
fin, was extended the courtesy of the floor
and said the people signing the remon-
STRANGE lived there and had their homes
there, while the other crowd, he seemed to
think, did not amount to much anyway,
representing sunfowers. He explained
the financial intricacies connected with
failures in business and suspension of bus
mess with much more ease than the aver
age article on finances and applied it to
business on South Market, and seemed to
think those who had put money there in big
buildings did not know what they were
doing which was thought sort of
double headed argument. The question
was simply whether it was proper to ap-
propriate an alley to a railroad. Accord
ing to court decisions the alley when once
occupied could not be used by any oueout-
side of the railroad without being a tres
passer. Those living there would have no
iugress or egress and no room for road to
street through lots. 1t was a question of
destroying six or seven hundred homes.
He also went over line of possibilities in
the courts should the council grant the
franchise. In conclusion he brought in
the Solemn protest" clause in behalf of
those who had employed him.
Mr. Richards spoke Of the many efforts
made to get switch up the alley and stat
ed that it was almost impossible to carry
on wholesale business off track.
He spoke in a business way. like a bust
ness man who knew something of the
question and its importance to the city as
a city in the wholesale way. He made
reference to Kansas City's efforts to keep
back the wholesale business of the city.
d. NJ. Dale, Esq, representing some of
those absent who have property concerned,
and said it was to a certain extent the same
old wholesale question as to where it was
to be located. The council had allowed
too many streets and alleys to be occupied
by railroads. The people owning property
concerned had some rights the council
ought to respect.
MIR. Richards said the city ought to en-
courage the grocery wholesale houses as