Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-18
BELvlDERE-STREET TRACK.
A Protest Against the Use of 1t for Passen
ger or Freight Trains
To the Editor of Rs Dispatch:

To the Editor of 9ls Dispatch:
avail myself Of your invitation to state
that am opposed to the continuation OF
the Belyidere-street track, both as pro-
perty-owner and humanitarian. l have
been wondering all along what is to be-
come Of those deluded persons like my
self, who, having faith IN the prohibitive
ordinance passed by the Council, invested
their savings in property along this route.
Ii the ordinance is repealed will the rail-
road company make good their losses, OF
will the dispatch and the STATE, which are
helping the company all they can, do so
What good reason is there for the con-
tinuation of this road? / have failed TO
TO see any stated. so far. Do you really
believe that if q person intends TO stop at
Richmond. the Belt Line, trhict tedds TO utt
same depot will prevent blm2 Begging
your pardon, it seems an absurdlty. What
IS the matter with Elba? The railroad
people can improve their facilities there
and land passengers in the fairest portion
of the city. There would be no loss OF
time. 1t was quite recently that saw 1t
stated that time would be gained by this
method. No; the connection road ls O
paving concern, and don't think anybody
can discover any other reason for It's con-
tinuance: but as IL Is nuisance, an In
fringement upon property rights, and 9
constant menace 10 life, 1t ought to go.
/ have been in many cities, but l don't
remember having seen railroad favored
as this one is. By-Ways and tunnels are
the rule.
ouestion. Long before | became pro-
perty.holder entertained the views / am
about TO express. Within stone's-throw OF
fine most dangerous part of this road stands
the Madison School. At the same hour
about 2:30 p. M.-when the New York tram
goes swinging round the curve this school
abreaks up" and the spot is thronged with
children. myself have. stood time and
again. with heart in mouth, and witnessed
the innocents tagging" at the train as II
nosaed. in instant expectation of beholdinG
an awful catastrophe. There is no proven
tive; the way to death is as open and Tree as
the road to sin. Some day, unless this thlng
is stopped, there n gong to be weeping
and wailing" IN more than one household
in Richmond. Ii will not do to say that
no such accident Cd has happened yet
That is always true until the first one &C.
ours. IT was true at Johnstown;
One day / saw a venerab BILE and respected
citizen come as close to death and mss II
as IL is possible 60 do. He Is somewhat
deaf and as il was raining he had his um.
brella held down close over his head. just
as ne crossed the curve the 2:30 train came
nwipging along, the fireman frantlcally
rang the bell, and almost at the last mo-
ment of safety the old gentleman heard
lifted his umbrella, and stepped out Of
danger. The escape was almost miracu'
lOus.
These, Mr.. Editor, are some of my views
hastily expressed on this question, and
shall be obliged if you will print them: L
they don't represent the general voice
] have no doubt they reflect the sentiments
of a very respectable number of citizens.
TAx-DoSATER.
Richmond, January 18th.