The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-24
THE CITY COUNCIL.
Aldermen Grant the Northern
Pacific Franchise.
PROTEST BY PROPERTY OWNERS.
The Old Contest Against the Rams
Horn Right-of- Renewed-The
Bill Co Go to the Delegates.

The prolonged contest over the ordinance
granting a franchise to the Northern Pacific
railway on Railroad avenue from the 'Y" to a
junction with the Seattle, Lake shore 4; East
ern terminus. was brought to o halt last night
when the board of aldermen, by a vote of six to
three, decided in favor of it There were pres
ent in the lobby J. H. Mitchell, jr. 7. R. shep-
ard and Hon. Roger s. Greene on behalf Of the
several interests, besides about 100 other visit
ors.
The judiciary committee, who have been for
several weeks investigating the matter and
listening to arguments by attorneys for all
parties in interest, presented two reports. one
signed by (. g. ingraham and Frank A. Pontius,
and the other by NJ Korn. The majority re-
port says:
We do not deem it expedisnt at the present
time, in view OF the adjustments that are likely
10 take place among the several railroads hold
ing franchises upon Railroad avenue them
selves to granting further rights to any railroad
at present. The city has control over but small
portion of Railroad avenue. Until the ram 9
horn right<Qf-way is settled we believe it is
policy for the city to retain its holdings on said
Railroad avenue.
We think that the rights and claims of rail-
roads on the rams horn and the rights and
claims OF railroads on Railroad avenue where
the avenue parallels, or arc coincident with, the
rams horn cannot without prejudice to the in
terests of the city be considered or adjusted.
The minority report is as follows:
deem 1t to the best interest for the city to
pass this ordinance, inasmuch as the same
straightens out the rams horn nuisance from
Washington street to Jackson street. / deem il
but an act of justice to the Northern Pacific
Railroad Company that they be granted right
of-way TO reach their property beyond fesler
avenue. can not consider it good policy of
Withholding this ordinance for the purpose of
settling individual differences to the detriment
OF the welfare and prosperity of the city.
DR.. Sweeney moved the adoption of the ma
jority report, Z. S. Ingraham seconding. Mr..
Bogardus moved the adoption OF the minority
report and rising vote was called for. Those
in favor of the minority report were Korn, Will
coz, Snyder, Denny and Bogardus: for the ma
iority report Pontius, Insraham and Sweeney.
The reading OF the ordinance was then called
for. At its conclusion Mr.. Ingraham said the
vote showed the members of the board did not
fully understand the question. There were
many property owners present whose interests
were affected and he asked that they be heard.
Mr.. Snyder said they had all heard the argu-
ments on both sides for nearly year.
Mr.. Korn said he had considered the matter
more thoroughly than any matter that had ever
come before the council. He then reviewed the
arguments which had been presented by coun-
sci TO the committee. He took the view that the
council should give the Northern Pacific an
opportunity to come into the city. He did not
think the council should act as agents for prop
erty -owners, who had their recourse in the
courts.
Mr.. Sweeney favored delay in order to give the
railroads an opportunity to get together and
settle the matter among themselves.
Mr.. Ingraham urged that the property-owrers
be heard, but Mr.. korn thought it would be
very one-sided affair.
Roger S. Greene appeared on behalf of the
property -owuers who desired to have the city
require abandonment OF the rams horn by the
Northern Pacific before any further privileges
tod hat nj
portunity, and II not taken advantage of now it
will be taken out of the city's hands forever.
He, therefore, most earnestly urged that the
ordinance be not passed at this time.
DR.. Kilbourne said the Oregon Improvement
Company and Northern Pacific had promised If
they were given thirty feet right-of-way on
Railroad avenue they would give up the old
rams horn. He and others had secured quit
claim deeds from property-owners and then the
railroads went back on their word on the ex-
cuse that the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern had
the inside. He thought it not just that the
council after its promise that no other privilege
should be given tine Northern Pacific till it kept
faith, should betray its trust. He asked the
council if they remembered the protest that
went up when the railroad had attempted to
renew its old claim to the rams horn.
Mr. Shepard also addressed the council, de-
claring that if they passed the ordinance they
were practically DISTINGUISHING the Portland &
Puget Sound railroad and shutting of all hope
OF having competitive line to Portland.
Mr.. Mitchell said the Northern Pacific knew
it was to its interest to come to Seattle, that is
why it is coming here, but it was equally to the
interest OF the city. He advised them to make
friends of enemies when they could do so with
out losing the friends they had. The Northern
Pacific was a taxpayer OF the city, was engaged
in business in the city and was in all respects
citizen entitled to rights. He denied that the
settlement OF the rams horn depended in any
way upon the franchise asked.
Mr.. Wilcox very warmly resented what he re-
garded as an insiuuation by Mr.. Shepard, that
the aldermen had succumbed to pressure"
Nj Shepard asked Nj. Mitchell If the North
ern Paciicwould accept the vacant eight feet
On Railroad avenue, together with the fourteen
feet occupied by the Portland & Puget Sound,
and give up the rams horn right-of-way. Mr..
Mitchell said they certainly would.
M. Greene protested on behalf of the city's in
terests against the passage OF the ordinance IN
til the whole matter OF Railroad avenue was