Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-12-11
A Street Railway.
The COUNCIL HEARS THE REMoNsTRANCE AID
voCATED AND THEN GRANTS THE FRANCHISE


THE TELEPHONE PLANT.
The Spectator last week had report OF tn
| Council proceedings at the session on the nigh
of the 3rd instant. The consideration Of thu
ordinances for the government of an Electric
Street Railway was then further considered
and postponed to an adjourned meeting, th'
9Th instant. at which were present Messrs
Berkeley, President, Armentrout, Bell, Butts
Crimmens, Crowle. McQuaide. and Tams-S
Absent Messrs. Bargamin, Craig, Sunni srsor
and Weller-4 The session was for genera
purposes. and Mr.. McQuaide, of the Street
Committee, which has in charge the orders O
the Council respecting the forfeited franchise
granted telephone company, made verbal
report as sequel to the proceedings OF the
previous session to this effect-Mr. Mcclure re-
presenting the Bell Telephone company which
| has the present exclusive right of the Am eri-
can Bell Telephone, and Mr.. Rosenberger who
represents the company who own the poles
and wires, had agreed upon terms whereby the
Bell company could re- establish the exchange,
| and the agreement had gone forward to head
| quarters for ratification.
| Mr.. Tams called up the question of the pro-
| posed franchise for a street railway. A num-
Der Of citizens were present and occupied seats
| in the Council Chamber. George S. Lightner,
| Esq, Attorney for the signers to the petition
I opposing the franchise being present. was in
! vited to state the views of those be represent
ed. This he did in clear, logical, and forcible
address, from the stand point be occupied. cit
ing Light Street. Baltimore the center of the
heavy trade Of that city as Augusta street ia of
Staunton, and upon Light street, the street.
railway franchise had always been refused.
He presented the views of the signers to the re-
monstrance. They were not antagonists, as
had been stated to the pro gress and advance
ment OF the city in its trade and growth and
prosperity-on the contrary, they were the fast
friends Of all proper development, and he pro-
ceeded to name other streets where the railway
could be placed without harm to the commence
it would damage If laid down on Augusta St.,
between the Chesapeake and Ohio Depot and
Frederick street. Many other than the names
signed to the paper could have been obtained,
but in this matter the consideration was con-
fneb to the ob; ections as stated. He had ex-
pected to see here, Mr.. a Fauver, Mr.. B F
Eakle. Mr.. Frank Alexander, and others. who
had moved in this matter, and asked for a fur.
ther postponement of the question till all the
lights could be thrown upon 1t.
Mr.. Tams replied to the views presented by
Mr.. Lightner. He knew the signers were all
interested as property holders and business
men and citizens, and sincere in their convic-
lions, but at the same time he was as well sat-
tsfied that they were mistaken In their con-
illusions. The ordinances prepared, as well as
those previously adopted. had been long and
thoroughly considered. When 1t was proposed
to confer the franchise upon the Staunton I'M
provement company, there were 10 objections
to it, and he could not see why there should be
now, when it Is proposed to extend 1t upon the
some streets to the company now willing to
accept 1t under more favorable guarantees to
the city and its citizens. He had made the
whole matter of narrow streets (tbe point in
the objection now presented) careful study
aided by personal examination in New York,
Philadelphia and Baltimore. Chestnut, the
great business street of Philadelphia. is only
twenty-siX feet Wide between the curb stones,
and upon it was street railway and COM
merce conducted by wagons, drays, carriages,
etc., in constantly going and coming stream,
the street cars moing at the same time, and |
yet there was perfect regulation and not seri- |
GUS jar at any time. He said the trouble was
that wagons bearing trade for Staunton were
allowed to stand on Augusta street indefinite |
ly,-that it was, in fact wagon yard-and this
should not be SO. There was no necessity for
such privileges, and they should be discou- |
tlnued. He knew of no new facts to be consid |
cred, and he desired to see the question ended;
for If it be the purpose OF the Council to grant
the franchise, it should be done now in justice |
to the parties who will accept it, as well as to
thepublic.
Mr.. Bell concurred in the views presented by |
Mr.. Tams and said that when he read the |
names of the signers to the remonstrance he |
was inclined to reconsider his own conclusions,
IlOc 1ar NF hoSf cJfj
largely engaged in trade aud should be heard
in every particular. Whilst bordering the
matter. he had gone upon Augusta street that
afternoon and saw large number OF wagons
there and trade brlskly going on, and yet he
saw no confusion, and at no time did he see
that there would be the least difficulty for
street cars to pass during the throng of bust
ness.
Mr.. Butts was of the same opinion, and was
an advocate for street-raiiway. He resided
out on Augusta street. Whilst others wanted
it TO go out. he wanted 1t to come in, and favor
ed it for the growth and prosperity of the CITY,
and could not see that it would be detrimental
to trade. Referring to the signerS, he said they
of course entitled to full consider alton ret
they were few, in number
Mr.. Lightner replied to the three members Of
the council who had spoken, and, If possible, in
a more vigorous speech than he made at first
He referred again to Light-Street in Baltimore
which Mr.. Tams had failed to consider when
he stated the case as 1t existed in Baltimore.
The question was then called for and the vote
demanded. The ordinance governing the fran
chise was again read, and the roll called, when
ell the members present. eight in number, vot-
ed aye, and the same was declared passed.
After the disposition of same other business,
the Council adjourned.