Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-20

/
fective and that the consent OF aoutting
property owners will inure to the oene-
fit OF whoever is the lowest bidder. IL
is charged by the Wheeling Company,
that persons 10 Bridgeport, favoring the
new. Company, seem to have tried to
nullify the effect Of the law In this re-
spect in obtaining these consents.
After the Council OF Bridgeport pass
the ordinance granting the right OF way
70 the Leyda-Jolly Company, Mr.. Frs
kine, as attorney for the Wheeling Rail-
| way Company, went over to Bridgeport
TO see how things were going, and In
pursuit OF Information undertook to ex-
anime the records of Council, as kept by
the City Clerk. When he had pursued
this examination a short time. upon the
18th of April last, there was objection
| from the City Clerk, who said he hao
suspicion that the matter was not exact
| IL proper, and thought he had better con-
suit the City Solicitor. That gentle
man happened TO be in st. Clairsville,
but Mr.. Erskine saw him that night,
after his return. The Solicitor thought
the matter was right and proper, but
suggested that as the hour was late he
/ had better come over in the morning,
especially as there had been objections
to Mr.. Erskine'S examination from
some people, and be wanted to look
| into 10 3 little, aud hear their o6Jee-
tions. Mr.. Erskine accordingly came
back to Wheeling, but on that same
night q special meeting OF Coun-
Gil was called, about which Mr.. Frs
kline was left in ignorance, and the or
dinance granting a right OF way TO
John NJ. Sweeney & Co., and their sue
cessors and assigns, from the west end
OF the new steel bridge over BACK
river, by way Of the proposed new
street, down through Bridgeport to the
PRESBYTERIAN Church In Kirkwood, was
repealed. The Leyda-Jolly ordinance
having been previously adopted this
action shut out the Wheeling Company,
but left il with the Wheeling and
Belmont Bridge Company contract on
its hands, through the operations OF
which il would have to stop its line at
the west end of the Belmont Company's
bridge. The morning after the repeal
OF this ordinance Mr.. ErSkine, who still
know nothing OF the Council meeting,
again went TO Bridgeport and saw the
City Solicitor, who, after conference
with others, agreed to the examination
OF the Council records as right and
proper, but incidentally be Informed
Mr. ErSkine Of the repeal.
Then the situation grew more CON-
Dlicated. The Wheeling Railway Com
pany AYERS that il has been endeavor-
ing TO obtain from Council and the
members thereof, consideration OF
new ordinance, restoring In some form
the right granted by the repealed law,
but have been unable 20 do so, and also
allege that they have even offered, II
again given the right, to construct ana
operate railroad by another and diff
ferent route than through the new street
proposed 70 be opened, although the
new route Is not so good as the old, III
yolying two crossings Of the G. u Z.
tracks. near the lower end Of Martins
Ferry, but that the Councilman will
not get together to consider their pro-
position. Growing out of this refusal
is the suit brought In the Common
Pleas Court by Charles ID. Smith,
against the village of Bridgeport, John
X. Jolly, A. r. Leyda aud others, the
uetition in this cause setting forth a
very long history of the whole matter,
and out Of this suit grew the arrest OF
Mr.. ErSkine, yesterday.
The Wheeling Company claim that
not only have they all along intended to
construct the line to the kirKwood
Presbyterian Church, through the town
OF Bridgeport, but that they also intend
ed to build line to Bellaire and an
other out the pike to the Wheeling
Creek Coal work, that they had these
matters In mind when they made the
contract with the Wheeling and, Bel
mont Bridge Company, but have been
prevented In the manner set forth
above from carrying out their plans.
They also claim that their rates OF fare,
which they pledge themselves to carry
out, are much the lowest, the rate In
Gliding a five-cent fare between Bell
aire and Martins Ferry and five cents
between either Bellaire or Martins
Ferry and points out the National
road.
As opposed to these claims of the
Wheeling Railway Company the eiti-
zens and Council Of Bridgeport seem to
be actively and heartily ia sympathy
with the Leyda-Jolly Company, claim
ing that it has acquired its rights in a
legitimate manner, ahd that the Wheel
Railway Company is merely an obstruc-
zionist, and that Mr.. Erskine has been
exciting trouble, on behalf OF the
Wheeling Company. for the sole pur-
pose OF interfering with Company
which is actively pushing its affairs
with q big force of men. They claim
that this interference for the purpose
alleged will not be permitted, and that
the arrest of Mr.. Erskine yesterday is
substantial evidence Of the fact
1t looks as il the fun was really only
about TO commence, and that there will
be much litigation aud long and spir-
tied campaign before the conflicting in
terests are reconciled aud the matter
brought to a satisfactory termination.
In the meantime the Leyda-Jolly Com
pany is working big force OF men, one
hundred and seventy-6ve being employ
ed Yesterday, and say their line will be
completed and In operation within the
time specified in the ordinance granting
them the right Of way through the sew
ersl towns.