The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-05-24
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
DISPOSES OF THE HART
 FORD BRIDGE QUESTION.

Y Bridge Bill Passed in the House-Leases the Bridge Upon the Five TOwns-Fur- ther Debate Over the Bridgeport Grade z Crossings-The Debenture Certificates " Again-Many Other Mat CTS.
 Hartford, May 23,-The debate over he Bridgeport grade crossings matter ' vas taken Up in the senate at noon as 4 he special order and was continued * or two and one quarter hours. The pill was favorably reported by the rail- k oad committee, all the members con- ' turing. This bill provides for the k Animation of all the grade crossings h the city, and will give the Consoli- ated railroad facilities for extending heir four tracks through the city, uild a new drawbridge and new sta- ions, at an outlay representing from 100000 to $2,00O,000 It provides for earrings in the matter before the rail- bad commissioners and in case of dis ute an appeal to the superior court. X his bill is known as the Davenport i'll and is generally favored in Bridge ort
 The bill was advocated by Senator offey, chairman of the railroad com ittee who said there were thirty-two rade crossings (death traps) in Bridge Tort. The Bridgeport people were orig hally in favor of building the road
 Water street, but later upon request < ne layout was changed, All but six eight of these grade crossings were laced there by the city of Bridgeport. Il had agreed that the crossings Ilould be abolished. The only question as, how shall it be accomplished? :? he railroad was spending millions dollars to secure a four track road Eom New York to New Haven.
 The bill was drawn by City Attorney avenport of Bridgeport, and the may
 has agreed to the measure. It pro- des that after six months the rail- pad commissioners shall have charge # the matter and an appeal can be talk to the superior court when deemed ecessary. The matter in dispute is one
 expense but this can all be ad- ldicated before the superior court, < his enterprise, to cost about $2,000000,
 not particularly necessary for the iIroad, which can run it's trains on le present double tracks over the three
 four miles through the city. It is of ore interest to Bridgeport, and will ateria1ly add to the value of prop 'ty. The committee could see no req m why we should not report this bill nd it was reported unanimously Bridgeport interests will be fully pro- cted. This is a fair and just measure ld should meet with no opposition are.
 Senator Marigold of Bridgeport-As e senator has said, the main ques- on is that of expense. Some three sars ago when was mayor of the city e railroad affected a plan to elimi- Ute the grade crossings from Fairfield venue to Park avenue, by depressing e railroad and having the streets go A Ter. This was opposed, especially by e manufacturing interests. This Z an I favored, but it was Fejected by e common council. The first bill in oduced at this session was the Marsh II, providing that the city should not
 assessed for over $50,000 Later this 1l-a compromise-was drawn. This II does not fully meet the demands of e people of Bridgeport. MT Marigold made long plea against bill.
 Senator Coffey said that Hartford had i'd one half of the expense towards minating two grade crossings. In tidgeport there are thirty-two cross gs. Who has made these crossings? Y idgeport; and shall senators stand up Ire and say that the railroad shall v all of the expense of eliminating r csc crossings that Bridgeport has hde? There is no injustice in Bridge Tt paying portion of this expense l Bridgeport afraid of our railroad mmissioners or afraid of our courts? don't believe it. Why at this mo- ent does the senator come here and pose a bill that has been advocated the mayor and the city attorney of ' lidgeport? Why did not the senator m the Fourteenth come before this 1 nmittee and oppose this measure? ere can be nothing more reasonable l * an the bill offered, and the senator | s not offered a valid reason against | benator Wlarner-I am in general 1 mpathy with this bill While it is newhat in contrast with the general 1 f n of eliminating grade crossings, it l s necessary that it should be so ! ing to the vast expense involved. | 10 not believe, however, this power ' buld be intrusted to one man, (the | ,yor) unless he was elected on that ! le. see no reason why the com ssion named in the bill (the present l lroad commission) should be paid ad- | N. ional compensation. I will offer endments striking out the names of
 railroad commissioners and substi-
 ing the names of the state referees. cir services will not cost the state Hthing additional. Another amend mt I will offer permits that the com 4 n council, in addition to the city railroad, shall within six months, l zee upon nians, methods aud man. < enator Coffey objected to the amend
 hts. He said the people of the city Id not agree among themselves. # enator Marigold read a letter from
 Bridgeport board of trade urging
 osition to the bill. He then moved
 indefinite postponement of the bill < anator Warner moved an amend
 1t by inserting the state referees as