The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-01-12

requires NC logic to convince
the owners of the railroad
that we have good case. II is only be-
cause we have such good case that iap-
pear hear this evening. We de-
mand the right OF being
landed somewhere near the CEN
tire OF civilization. When stranger
first alights at the India street depot
the first impression made upon him
when he sights the structure
is that the station was erected centuries
ago for the influx of the aborigines from
Fall River, who paid weekly visits
to their friends in this city.
The station should be protected by iron
fences to prevent the relic hunter from
carrying 1t off in piecemeal. Wewant bet
ter facilities and propose to have them.
l contend that we have patiently borne
this state of affairs long enough and
now two OF the most promising
cities OF, New England ask this favor.
Everywhere else we see the railroad grant
ing better facilities to the patrons and we
ask for nothing extravagant and are still
asking"
Hon. ID. II. BaIIou.
Daniel X. Ballou, president OF the board
OF aldermen, spoke. He re-
gretted the absence of Mayor Olney,
who was detained by illness and
said that he felt gratified in the absence
OF the mayor to stand before the assem-
blage and give his testimony in the mat
ter. He stated that the city of Providence
was at the present moment enjoying the
pleasant position OF breathing
~ II q. ftar
20 years of untiring patience
and jealous and persistent effort, for now
we have been able to see the ground
broken for the new passenger station.
We have our hope and realizing sense
that within the life limits of the youngest
man here, he may see the completion Of
the new station, and the end of the
obstruction that has stood i'm the way of
progress for the past 60 years. The rail-
roads are not wholly to blame nor
| responsible for the inconvenience
which the people experience
under the present conditions. The
| Providence people are unfortu-
nately peculiar people. Almost
every measure which has been framed in
! the city council for the past quarter
of century has excited opposition.
| The proposition to fill in the cove lands
was objected to for long time, even
| though it was apparent that the cove was
| the natural home of the terminal facilities.
Terminal facilities and easier transporta-
| tion are questions of more vital import
ance than any of the measures
agitating the halls Of congress.
What we want and call for is direct line
| from Providence to New Bedford and
Fall River. We want change
| in the terminus of the Bristol
road making it possible to land either at
| the new station or at Crawford street
| bridge providing the corporation
| will promise to make the connection later.
| But great forces are hidden under every
action and it doesn't matter what men do,
these forces will have good results.
| Hon. John II. Sanborn.
Hon. John p. Sanborn Of Newport said
| that the people of Providence and
those OF the lower counties wanted
the same thing. Providence
should control the business OF
soathern New England and the road is
probably Of the same mind.
| WE. knight, Esq.
| William F. Knight, representing the
common council, spoke as follows:
| Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN:
In speaking for the common council OF
the city of Providence, / will say that
there is no body of gentlemen in this city
or state that is more determined nor more
anxious to see this terminal question
settled, and settled right.
| We all appreciate the unavoidable de-
lays arising from the constantly chang
| ing ownership of the various properties
| and the vexatious legal entanglements in
| volving the transfer of land or roads.
! But since we have had time to breathe
| without another consolidation and have
| had a chance to place the responsibility
upon any one corporation i think you
| will ell agree with me when say that great
| progress has been made in the last few
months towards our new station.
| Now for the extension of the Providence,
| Warren and Bristol railroad. I'm the first
| place South Water street is only % feet
wide. A railroad car takes up 10 feet of
| this, leaving only II feet for the public,
which is not room enough for two teams
to safely pass.
| II an elevated structure cannot be OBJ
tanned or is not deemed advisable for va
rious reasons, would advocate the citys
widening the street and paying the land
damages. This improvement is wanted
by the citizens of Providence
as is evidenced by this and similar
gatherings for like purposes which have
| been held lately. What will benefit the
city will benefit the road, and vice versa.
What is for the interest of one must be
| for the other.
There was time in the history OF i'm
proved terminal facilities when the city
could probably have made better terms
LII