Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-15

BUT M THE MEAN TIME A PORTION
OF THE TUNNEL HAS COLLAPSED.
Contrary to the Petition Of Residents OF
Eighth Street, the Committees Recon-
mend Continuance Of Franchise.

very perceptible tremor in the neighbor-
hood portion Of Eighth street above the
tunnel of the Richmond and Chesapeake
Railroad Company for about fifty feet was
precipitated to the bottom of the excava-
ton yesterday afternoon about o'clock
II was not many seconds then until all
the residents of the locality had placed
themselves in doorwaysland on verandas,
and throughout the remainder of the after
nobn there was perfect tide of spectators
to the scene OF the accident
WENT DOWN EIGHT FEET
IL became apparent early In the DAY that the
collapse was imminent. Between tho hours OF
IL O'clock In the morning and 3 O'Clock In the
afternoon portion OF the street sunk fully fif-
teen inches.
The section Of tho earth which seemed to have
COMO down with most force was that above the
southern extreme Of the tunnel. This was
thought TO have fallen TO a depth OF about eight
feet, while the further end had only been pre-
down with 1t considerable part Of the western
sidewalk, but the sidewalk on theoppoeite side Of
tho street was only slightly injured, though it
stands with very woak support and Is likely 70
cave In at any time.
Just as soon as tho Intelligence OF the cave-n
wns fnede known to Mayor Ellyson he repaired
TO the spot and took view Of the attending con-
ditions OF the casualty. He held aconference
Immediately with Mr.. Charles f. Boiling. tho
superintendent OF the city water-works, In re-
gard to furnishing the residents with water. the
regular main having been broken In the crush
or previous TO II.
As early as practical tfrs morning Mr.. Boiling
viii make arrangements for supplying the
necessary water In that section.
he WAS IN THE TUNNEL
At tho time Of tho calamity Mr.. Reid, the
president Of tho company, was In the tunnel,
but fortunately was in the end nearest the open
ing. He and several others connected with the
railroad company were soon In consultation as
20 what should bs done. and In forty minutes
from the time OF tho crash men we're NJ work
dumping dirt In the hole To brace the sidewalks
and make the banks secure from q further slide.
FELT FOUR SQUARES OFF.
Persons living four squares away claim that
tho shock was audibly felt by them, and many
who were not well acquainted with the condition
of the tunnel thought the tremor was from An
contiguous to the wreckase was only slight, and
no one happened 10 be on that Immediate por-
tion Of the street when 1t went down.
Late in the afternoon many members OF the
Committees on Streets aud Finance went out 10
look at the sunken tunnel as they were TO assem-
bic for some action on the tunnel question at
O'Clock.
Mono was more conspicuous than Mr.. J. Taylor
Stratton, who IL the member OF the street Com
mlttce from that ward.
The franchise Extended.
Tho joint session Of tho Committee on Streets
and Fnauce was called 70 order yesterday eve-
ming at o'clock by Chairman Capers, and a
quorum being present from each body, the busi-
ness of the meeting was proceeded with.
II was conceded to have been one of the most
labOrious and tiresome Joint sessions ever held
b. these two committees.
Mr.. Roid, Major Hosr, Colonel Brooks,l and
others Of the railroad company were present TO
represent their interests.
Mr.. sTRArToSs RESOLUTION.
After the calling OF the roll Mr. Stratton took
tho floor and offered resolution providing In
substance that the City Engineer be instructed
under the direction Of the Committee on Streets,
10 place Eighth street in secure condition, ana
that the Finance Committee make an appropft-
alton OF $1,000 or such portion thereof as might
be necessary for the execution Of said work.
The resolution also instructed the City Attor-
ney TO take such legal action against the rairoad
company or its bond-mcn rs he might deem ne
cessary for recoveryof damage TO city and per-
sonal property.
Before taking vote on the paper offered by
Mr. Stratton 1t was deemed wise TO hear from
tie City Attorney In regard to some questions
touching the tunnel matter that had been re-
ferred 20 HIM as to their legal aspect.
THE CITY ATTORNEYS OPINION.
Tho chairman stated that Mr.. Preston Coke,
who was acting City Attorney. in the absence OF
ar Meredith, was present and could possibly
give an hpinioD.
Mr. CUkc's opinion WAS volumious ono and
treated the merits Of the case very fully. Mr..
Cocke stated that hts paper had been prepared
' fore he heard the speech of Mr.. REID on Mon
day evening, but the able argument OF that gem
teman had not changed his conviction In SIN
gle particular. In his opinion the company had
revoked its franchise anu tho property was sub
ject to confiiscation by the city
After reading his opinion tho acting Clty Az
tOrney stated that In anticipation OF summary
action no had prepared an ordinance which lie
cC sldered would cover the whole matter
n h.. Al, .f MI
meeting briefly before the Introduction OF any
resolution. This was granted AMI the railroad
president spoke fully an hour in landaton OF tho
prospects OF his company.
MONEY To RcHNoSpEIs.
At tho close Of hs remarks the chairman
asked what assurance their committee had that
what ho claimed WAS trio and that his represen-
tatiOns would nnteriallzo "a he had assured
them they would
Mr.. Reid replied: "As an evidence OF my good
faith will state that on last Friday deposited
wish the treasurer OF our company certified
check for $4,000. On the same day Colonel
brooks placed in the hands OF that'indiydual
$4,000, and on tho 10th OF this month he VIII
place $1,000 more In the treasurers hands.
Now, this money IA TO pay some Of the debts OF
the company, and 10 do the necessary WORK IN
that tunnel. Within the past few days we have
paid 10 citizens Of your city over $4,000 III cash.
L. this not fair evidence OF good faith y
A RESOLUTION vfTHDRAwN.
Hare Mr.. Stratton withdrew his former resolu-
tion and supplan,cd 1t by one OF practically the
some purport. No action, however, was taken
upon H. aud Mr.. Cooke WAS asked 20 read the
ordinance he had drawn for presentation. Ihis
also was by passed on I'm siisnce.
Mr. Beiyin took the 1oor for the first time, ana
spoke at some length upon the advantages 10
accrue from the completion OF the tunnoi anu
the road. He also stated that the company on
Monday paid the entire interest on its bonded
debt, and really now was In condition to resume
It's work as sOon "a an extension or continuance
OF franchise was granted. He said Il was his be-
lief the road could be completed In two years
DIDN'T WANT FORFEIT MONEY.
Mr.. Turpin stated he should vote against tho
resolution introduced by the gentleman from
Madison Ward II he bad TO stand alone. lie said
he did not see the necessity Of requiring Mr. heid
up forfeit money also, II no was going TO do the
work of repairing the tunnel subject TO the super
vision Of Colonel Cutshaw AZ City Engineer.
WANTED YEARS TINE.
Colonel Cary asked how much time the COM
pnny wanted, and Mr.. Reld auer consuming
others connected with tho company replied :
1--WE would now only ask you TO extend our
franchise for twelve months hoping that before
that period shall have expired you VIII De more
than willing to continue IL until the work snall
be completed"
PETITION FROM PROPERTY-OwNER5.
After considerable further discussion IL was
asked that some Of the property-owners ON
Eighth street, many OF whom were present. DC
heard from. 80,
Colonel John Murphy was the first to address
the body, and he was violently opposed 10 tho
continuance Of the charter of the company ho
said he did not feel that the committee should
allow his property and that OF others living on
the street named 10 be deprecated. The exca-
walton OF the tunnel should not confinne unless
this could be done In such way that there
could not be the slightest apprehension OF daui'
age to private property
One or two others expressed the same senti.
ments and Mr.. Barber begged the privilege OF
presenting q petition signed by about forty real
estate owners on the stree praying that the COM
mittee refuse to allow the company to resume It's
| excavation Of the tunnel
| Mr.. stratton was indefatigable In his Efforts
! for his constituents and was openly In favor OF
stopping the tunnel people from digging furthef
into Eighth street.
The enterprise was discussed from every
| standpoint, and after a session OF three hours,
Mr.. Turpin offered the following resolution
| upon which was called recorded vote:
Mr.. TURPIS5 PAPER.
Resolved, That this committee recommend tc
the Council the rem ewal until the LIST OF August
| 1892, 10 tho Richmond and Chesapeak Railroad
Company OF its present franchise upon the con,
ditlon that the said company begin at once and
continually prosecute the repairs necessary "a
put Eighth street In its original condition ana
properly to protect tho tunnel and repair az