The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-04
COM MON COUNCIL.
The Union Railroad Company Favors
a Belt Line.
Two Committees Fight For the Con-
sideration OF the Washington Row
Matter-Repor on Highways.

|
report from the committee on highways
and q report from the committee on rail-
| roads relative to q belt line around the
west side of the city were the three mat
tsrs Of Importance which were brought
Common Council.
The regular rules were suspended to
make room for the Washington row mat
ter and Councilmsn Ira Winsor moved
that the report of the committee on en-
| gineer's department, relating to the dis
pute, bs taken from the table. Al the re-
quest of Mr.. Psrkhurst this motion was
| withdraw long enough fer him TO irtro-
duce second memorial from the Ney-
bosset Land Company, setting ferth thst
its representatives had had no nearing
before the com mittee ana that n1isappre-
tensions had been tho result. The me-
| msrisl was received and read and the mat
ter then taken from tie block.
Councilmsn Parkhurst then opened
long discussion on the legal aspects OF
the case which he seemed TO think the
committee en- engineers department. had
lost sight OF in making its report. The
owners along Washington Row, he said.
occupied riparian land, and because OF
that had certain unslienable rights
there had never been an agreement re-
corded by which the Washington Insur-
ance Company had received the land from
the city on condition that Ii would main
| tain the bridge.
The owners had agreed to pay to the
putting the thereux hfare in coed con-
| dition, but the city asked fer 900. AS
means of settlement the petitioners
asked that the whole thing be taken before
the Supreme Court. Something must bs
done soon, Mr.. Psrkhurst urged, for the
sake OF the city itself. II was very neces-
ssry that athorOughfsre should be had
hsre as there has boou for the last 20
| years. In the last two weeks
there has been no opening through
| from Exchange place TO Market square
or wostminister street, between Dorrancs
and North Main streets, and such con-
| dition OF affairs would be a most deplor-
able one in case Of a big fire in the heart
OF tho city.
Ceunciimsn ira Winsor moved that the
papers be recommitted to The committee
on engineers department, with instruc-
tions to settle the matter in accordance
with the suggestions made in its report.
Councilman Parkhurst offered as q sub
stituts motion that the matter be referred
to the committee on finance, in order
might get the advantage OF having an i'm
| portant matter discussed by as many
Council members In committee.
Councilman Joseph III. keBdrick seconded
the motion OF Mr.. Psrkhurst and spoke at
length In favor OF trying to arrive at either
conclusion and ip behalf OF the tenants
on Washington Row, whose business Is
very seriously interfered with by having
tke street closed up. Mr.. Mccarthy also
spoke for reference to the finance COM
mittse.
Councilnsn Pierce and Durfee OF the
oommittso on engineers department
supported Ceunoilman Winser's motion.
| Mr.. Durfes said that the law in the case
which Mr.. Parkhurst had found SO much
fault with, had come frop the city go
motion was taken by y vote OF 22 against
IA for that of Mr.. Winsor.
A an amendment to the substitute mo-
tion Mr.. Winsor then moved that the
matter be referred TO the finance commit
tee, and the committee on engineers de-
partment, the TIVE to act together as joint
special committee. Mr.. Mccarthy re-
minded the Council of the fact that there
| were six mem bcrs on the committee which
had already reported, and but i've on the
finance committee, and that the re-
| suit OF their efforts would be q foregoae
| conclusion. The amendment was lost by
a vote of % to 13 and the matter was re-
ferrsd to the finance committee with in
| struotions to grant hearings.
The regular order CT business was then
| resumsd and the reports of standing
| committees called for.
| Chairman Vaughn Of the committee on
| finance presented the following resolu-
tion and moved its passage;
| "Resolved, That the Park Commis-
sioners be instructed to concrete the
and Plain streets and charge tho same to
the appropriation for public parks"
Councilman Vose objected because
he claimed that the appropriation for
parks was too small already, and that
money for copcreting sidewalks should
be excused from voting and the members
! shouted "no," so he voted in the mega
| tive, while the other "a mem bers present
votsd aye and the resolution passed.
Highway Matters.
For the committee on highways Chair
man Durfse presented a long and import
| ant report relative TO the building and
| paving OF streets in this city and the
methods for paying for The same. 1t sum
med up the work Of the highway depart
ment for the past ave years and contained
valuable information from other cities.
| Ii recommended the use OF the asphalt
| pavement on Benefit, Hope, Thsyer, Gov
ernor, South Angel and Broad streets,
| Elmweod and Parker avenues and Broad
way. In eonclusion the report stated that
eRe OF three things must seon be done:
the city must give mp building Highways,
| must borrow the money 90 pay for IL, or
nu,t get sutkerity fren the Legislature
to charge the cost 10 the sbutting owners.
The report was laid on the table and
| OfhcTs0 FFlEtNWs
The same aemnittse alss reported that
the right ard interest OF the city In Covc
and West Exchange streets 10 based upor
an agreement made with the railroad
| so years ago, but that tho layout has
| never been attended to according to law.
Accompanying the report was a rcsolu-
tien authorizing tso Mayor TO deed TO the
| New York, New Haven n Hartford Rail-
rosa Company piece OF land in exchange
for another section which, being possessed
by the city, will enable IL to strsighten
Cove street. The resolution was passed.
On recommendation OF the committee
| on claims resolutions were passed 10 pay
Mary Fitshenry s25 for damages and
Aps Falls Slb fer taxes.
The petitions OF Lesrder II. Peck, w.
II. Cole, hyra p. Svsfts and Edward
Rice, for remission OF taxes, we're also
granted.
! The following sewer assessments were
ordered 10 bo rspittsd:
Ira N. Clark, $3.50; Franklin Rsynor.
49, Fred sisstr, ssti Ada n. Joslip ct al,