The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-02-16

So Says City Council at Its Meeting
Last Night-other Business of Inn
portance.
A Joint session of City Council, the
Street and Sewer directors and the
Park Commission was held last night,
at which Council voted unanimous
against Legislative interference In the
government of this city.
Mr.. Mckelvey occupied the chair.
The business OF the Park Commission
was first taken up.
Mr.. Candy said the commission had
been very much hindered in its work
OF improving the parks of the city by
the fact of their having no stated In
come. The practice of City Council OF
making appropriations In amounts
varying from $4,000 to $40 900 n year
prevented the commission from max
ing any extended plans for beautify-
ing, the parks OF the city. The cost OF
maintaining the parks aggregated
about 300 year, and as the last
appropriation was only $4,000 only
5000 was available for improvements;
$4,000 OF this had been expended on
the new bridge In the Rrandywine
Park and all other work had to be
abandoned
In referring to the amounts of for
mer appropriations, he estimated the
necessary amount of appropriations
at s25 900.
lie thought that this sum should be
liked, or certain per cent. of the city
| assessment should bs set aside for
park purposes the latter method be-
ing preferable. as IL assured n gradual
| Increase In the appropriation.
Mr.. Mention said that the matter
was only brought before Council to
aXnrnSSlnn
| ascertain what amount the Park Com.
mission could expect to receive in its
next appropriation.
Chairman Mckelvey stated that they
would hear from Josapn l. Carpenter
about the proposed overhead bridge
ut tho intersection OF Fourth street
and the r., w. IL b. Railroad. Mr..
Carpenter asked what had been done
by Council, when air. Perkins repllel
that committee had been appointed
about a year ago TO consider and re-
port about the overhead bridge. but II
had neyor reported. lilo did not know
why, except that the matter had been
deferred for the benefit OF the railroad
ompanies. He had onco thought an
overhead bridge Mt Fourth street and
the railroad would solve the problem
the committee was to consider but
had changed his mind. Ho now
thought that the time had come when
steam railroads passing through the
city should elevate their tracks. To
build an overhead bridge over the
railroad Mt Fourth street would make
demand for an overhead bridge at
every grade crossing in the city. lie
was not ready for that Just yet.
Mr. Carpenter said that Till provld-
ing for overhead bridges at the grade
crossing in this city, two years ago
was met by determined opposition.
All the railroad attorneys In the State
were ready to fight the measure. This
shows how anxious the railroad peo-
pie are TO build bridges. Tho bridge
over the b. x O. railroad at the Lancas.
ter avenue crossing had been built be
| cause of n concession to that railroad
company. The failure of the former
effort to guard the grade crossings
had suggested the request for tho 60.
operation of City Council as 1t Is the
legislative body OF the city govern
mcnt
Mr.. Perkins then arose and moved
TINT all the steam railroads passing
through this city, be required to abol-
ish grade crossings, Tho motion was
adopted by unanimous vote.