The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-31
TO EXTEND ITS LINES.
THE ELECTRIC RAILWAY TO 40
TO THE LOWER wHARvEs.

The most Of last nights session Of the
city council was taken up with street rail-
road discussion.
A favorable report was submitted by the
special committee on railroads and the
street and lane committee on the petition Of
the Electric Railway Company to extend
its tracks from the South Broad street line
through East Broad street, down President,
through Randolph and out St Julian TO the
Savannah, Florida aud Western railway
wharves.
Alderman Cam offered an amendment
to the report making one Of the conditions
of the grant the erection and operation of
electric lamps Of at least 40-candle power
at certain distances along the extension
Alderman Cam, in supporting bis amend
ment, said he had been told by the presi-
dent Of the Electric road that such lamps
could be maintained at a nominal cost. II
he had known as much before as he knows
now, be said, In this respect, he would have
Incorporated such q provision in all the
grants. The roads have heretofore been
given all the privileges asked, without the
city demanding any benefits from them,
and Alderman Cam thought It about time
that the railroads return something to the
sity for the rights they secure whom the
cost of them is only nominal.
OPPOSED TO ANY ExACTIoN.
Alderman Myers opposed the amend
ment. He considered the extension of the
Electric railway to the Tybee depot and
Savannah, Florida and Western wharves a
matter Of great convenience to the public.
Alderman Myers didn't think the exaotion
ought to be required. as the proposed extern
sion will pass through a section OF the city
not extensively built UP. and WON'T have
much OF a population to draw patronage
from.
Alderman Cam admitted what Alder
man Myers said about the section through
which the extension will pass not being built
up with homes, but at the same time 10 must
be remembered that the patronage sought
to be reached is the working people who are
employed there. He would like to see
road which simply wants TO extend its
lines for public convenience and not to
make money.
Alderman Myers replied that IL Is WE'LL
known fact that the street railroads are
not making interest on their investments
and when the extensions tend to CON-
venience the public he didn't believe In
burdening them with too many exactions.
When the vote on Alderman CAMS
amendment was taken Mayor MoDonough
was unable TO decide and division was
called for by Alderman Mcclure. The re-
buAt was luTGo FOloS tuo DELIGHTFULLY."-
and five against it. The original petition
was then granted.
DOUBLE TRACKS IN THE SQUARES.
The next railroad matter to start a dis
cussion was the question whether the city
should grant the City and Suburban rail-
way the right TO double track the squares
on Abercorn street aud connect through Boil
ton street with the Coast Line road.
Alderman Haines objected at once He
thinks the squares of the city have already
had their beauty sufficiently married by
railroad tracks running through them. AS
long as he is a member of the board, Alder
man Haines said he will oppose running
any more railroad tracks through the
squares.
Capt Johnston explained that the double
tracking privilege was asked because of the
proposed introduction OF electricity Ia the
operation Of the road. He knows that the
mules dig up between the rails and make the
place look uusightly, but with the road OPP
Grated by electricity there is no interference
with the growing Of grass between the
rails.
Alderman Carson expressed himself op-
posed to marring the beauty of squares
with railroad tracks, but as track is al
ready in the squares asked for, he couldn't
see how the laying Of two additional rails
would injure the beauty any more than has
already been done. The alderman said
he rides over the City and Suburban road
every day. and is willing to grant 1t almost
anything that will improve its service.
WANTED THE TRACKS SEPARATED.
Alderman Myers felt the same about the
matter as Alderman Carson. but wanted
the new track six feet away from the other
TO avoid any possible danger to people get~
ting on or of the cars.
Mayor McDonough took a hand IN the
discussion at this point. He said the squares
are play grounds for children and the single
tracks through them now are dangerous
enough. Additional tracks would only in
crease this, not TO say anything about the
injury to the appearance Of the squares.
Mayor McDonough said he favored COM
polling roads TO run all their tracks around
the squares instead of through them.
sAlderman Cann said Mayor McDonough
bad pretty well expressed the views Of
himself on the question.
''If we grant this petition" said Alder
man Cam, petitions will be coming in at
every meeting of council from the roads
for the same privilege. The Belt Line will
want to double track its entire length
through Barnard street. aud the Coast Line,
II it ever gets out Of the hands of a
receiver and Is able to adopt
electricity, will want the same rights
through the Habersham street squares. II
we graft what is asked for we practically
turn over Gil the squares 10 the railroads,
while now We have permission from the
roads to use a portion OF them. would
favor allowing the roads to double track
around the squares, but that wouldn't suit
them. 1t might cost them about $1,000.
As far as the interests Of the public are
concerned, the roads have regarded them
but little recently"
ALDERMAN BAILEY's SUGGESTION.
Alderman Bailey favored granting the
petition of the City and Suburban, but he
wanted iron ratings along the tracks
through the squares for the protection of
children. When it was pointed out to hin
that ratings would interfere with the use Of
the walks, a fact which the alderman, It
was thought, overlooked, he didn't press the
suggestion.
Alderman Cam finally moved that the
petition be refused. The yeas and nay,
we're called for and the aldermen got badly
mixed up in the vote. Alderman Myers,
who wanted to vote against the amendment,
voted, yes. and Alderman Harmon, who IN =
tended to vote for it, voted no. Finally
things were untangled by the two aldermen
swapping places. The result was as follows
YEAs-Aldermen Harmon, Cam and
Haires.
NAYs--Aldermen Bailey, Myers, Nc
CURE, Mills, O'Brien and Carson.
Alderman Cam then wanted the petition
referred to the street and lane COMMITTEES
with instructions TO have an ordinance pre-
pared on the subject.