The record-union., 1891-07-23
The P-street franchise Again.

EDS. RECORD-U UNION: It is after care
ful consideration and reflection of the
sworn duty of our Trustees, the extent
and limit OF their authority, the rights
reserved by the people, the proposed en-
terprise which was before them on Mon
day for their consideration-the position
which Mr.. Henry has occupied in this de-
bate, meeting with perfect satisfaction TO
the minds of all conscientious men.
every honorable and honest objection
that could have been made, the necessi-
ties of our city, boasting in its pride of
being the capital of the State, ''that the
people now call upon the Trustees, who
have in their shortsighted Imagination
superseded every right and claim of the
people, to give some tenable ground for
their action"
Let us here pause for moment, and
carefully examine the subject OF this dis
cussion, that we may be better prepared
20 decide by what motive that august
body acted. Mr.. Henry, after receiving
the signatures of all the property-own-
ers, filling lengthy petition which was
volunteered by them, stating the import
ance of this proposed enterprise, its great
necessity as means of public convey
ance, and the earnestness in which this
request was made, urging upon the Of
ucials the execution of their desire. ap-
peared before them only TO reiterate the
expression of the will of the people, and
10 offer every security for any contin-
gency that could possibly arise in the
imagination of our enterprising board,
who spend their nights in wakefulness
probing the wound Of their own infiic-
zion into its fathomless depths, for the
purpose of discovering some supposed
contingency from which the people
might suffer if this franchise is granted;
and 10 this request the people receive
II,
titude of unlimited prerogative, the fol-
lowing reply for which no grounds are
given:
I'VE care not how many petitions YOU
bring before us; we know you want the
road and the accommodation it would
afford the public, and we cannot deny
that such an enterprise would certainly
be great improvement to the city; but
we are not going to recognize your right
or voice in this matter, for the question is
Deiore us for our consideration and abso-
iute determination, and not yours. We
nave reasons of our own for refusing it,
oI winch the people are not capable to
comprehend, and therefore you shall
nave no road"
Mr- carey appears before the board at
the same time, and, after making his per-
soiial objection to the new proposed road,
Without one word expressive Of the peo-
pies wish, makes an application for a
franchise to lay a track down O from
Ienth 10 Third, thence To X street, which
is Immediately granted.
HOW can we reconcile the diversities
that are apparent in these two cases? Do
the Trustees remain silent and expect us
90 accept the only conclusion that is so
manifest upon the face of this trans
action? But to do them Justice we wait
,or an answer, the facts of which are pe-
culiarly within their own knowledge-
whether or not it would iniure Mr.. Carey
IS proposition scarcely worth mentior,-
ing. It seems like wasting time and a
foolish speculation to devote a Inoment,s
time in answer TO such manifest ab-
Eurdity.
The above named gentleman as busi
ness man knows that this new road
would he instrumental in the great in
crease in property, and consequently
that portion Of the city would in very
short time be thickly populated, and
thereby create the means of its own sup
port. and he himself, as means OF pro
lection, need only to follow the same rule
make extensions and decent improve
ments on his own road; but they tell us
that he would not do this. and from this
reason would suffer a great injury; what
kind of a ground is this for refusing to