Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-16
Action Of the COrColan-Rall MasS-Meet-
Ing Last Night.
COUNCIL IMPORTUNED.
Speeches Made by Mcssrs. j. +. jack
son, Cyrus Dossleux, w. II. thinner
mann, VI. l.. Dawson, and Others
Mr. Epps's Remarks I'm Opposition.

all sections OF the city. and the proceed
ings were interesting and spirited. as
well as exceedingly harmonious.
The speeches were OF common-sense
and practical character, and dealt with
the question Of building a bridge over
Broad street from both business and
mechanical as well as an aesthetic
standpoint.
When the assembly-room had been we'll
filled with people, Mr.. T. Wiley Davis,
who had been invited to preside. called
the meeting to order and stated briefly
its objects. The first speaker called upon
was Mr.. ]. +. Jackson, the editor OF the
Southern Planter That gentleman went
INTO an elaborate discussion of the adj
vantases OF the proposed viaduct. He
gave some very interesting Information In
connection with the large bridges built
over thoroughfares IN some Of the Euro
pean cities. and said that In every case
these improvements greatly enhanced the
value of property and materially benefited
the entire communities.
Mr. Cyrus Bossleux followed In a strong
speech In favor Of the viaduct, and Mr.
William II. Zimmerman also spoke in
advocacy OF the proposed bridge. The lat
ter took the ground that the viaduct
would not hurt The business Of jefferson
Ward. Mr.. NJ. L. Dawson was called
upon. and had n few words TO say COM
mending the yiaduct scheme and the plan
10 have It built by the city.
A PRACTICAL TALK
One of the most practical speeches OF
the evening was made by Mr. Il. T. ID.
Myers, Jr.. who has studied this question
for the past two years. He said that the
people OF Richmond wanted and should
have a viaduct. Such a structure as would
accommodate two street-car tracks, two
walkways. and lower deck for wagons
and other vehicles would cost about $50
90. He did not believe any company
would build such a bridge for the reason
that the traffic would not Justify such an
outlay. The city, he thought. could well
afford to pay half IN the building OF such
a viaduct and let the street-car company
pay the other half
Mr.. John II. Epps. a member of the
Common Council from Jefferson Ward,
was invited to address the assemblage.
He did so briefly and very pointedly. Mr..
Epps said that as u member OF the Coun-
ell from Jefferson Ward he was opposed
TO any viaduct scheme, and that as long
as he represented that ward In the Coun-
ell he proposed to do all in his power to
defeat the viaduct proposition. He regard
ed 1t his duty TO do so. He was sent to
the Council. he said In conclusion, for this
very purpose.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Mr.. Allen G.. Collins made few re-
marks in favor of the viaduct. and Mr.
w. T. Hancock offered a motion provid-
ing for a committee 20 draft and present
resolutions pettioning the Council in the
matter. The motion prevailed, the COM
mttee being selected as follows: +. H.
Ferguson. John A. Curtis. Rev J. w.
Moore, W. II. Hancock, Cyrus Bossieux,
.. H. Funston. and l.. $. Camp. This body
prepared and presented the following pre-
amble and resolutions. which were unini-
mously adopted:
Whereas. the citizens OF Richmond re-
cognize that the deep valley extending
across the city and separating Church
Hill and It's adjacent spurs from ShOkoe
Hill and the growing western portion OF
the city. renders Church HUI separate
and distinct md inaccessible TO the re-
riainder and larger part OF the city; anu
therefore IL is thought advisable that a
viaduct be constructed 10 connect the two
sections. for the benefit of the citizens at
large for the following reasons: Be
cause
l. Church Hill Is now separate and dis
lltI. as IL Ntitt llOll Ai' EfiiihhfA't u
the city. and therefore inaccessible from
the other part OF the city. while 10 per-
sons walking and riding the appearance
OF the section surrounding the creek In
the valley presents an unpleasant view.
2 A number OF ladies' and misses, as
we'll as men and BOYS. reside on Church
Hill and work in other sections or the
city. over a viaduct they would nave
employment. while the doctors residing
in the western portion of the CITY could
conveniently extend their practice to the
eastern portion.
school on Church Hill, and viaduct
would furnish level thOroughfare Tor
the school children 10 the public High
School and private schools.
T. IL Is dangerous 10 walk, ana more
dangerous 20 ride and drive down and
up the steep hills and across the railroad
during the winter months
5. 1t would afford advantages TO those
who ride bicycles. now so popular with
the business public
6 The city would then have a grand
boulevard extending from the East End
10 the West End-Chl mborazo PARK to
the Exposition Grounds-and thus open
up 10 the citizens OF the West End the
beauties OF Chimborazo and Libby-H.ll
parks. and the refreshing spring OF clear.
cool lIthia and m1gn1esla water 70 which
hundreds of people daily carry their yes
sells FOR a supply Of table water.
Z city OF the size and importance OF
Richmond should not be divided. but
stand as one city closely connected by
from one end 10 the other. over which
any and all vehicles may pass.
S II Is confidently believed that the In
creased values of real estate would by
taxes nav the interest on the outlay.
o The benefits derived by the citizens
AZ large will be far greater than the
damage that the citizens OF any particu-
lar section will sustain.
Therefore this preamble and the FOL
lowing resolutions are adopted as the
sense of this meetng
Resolved. /. That we deem II essential
that a yiaduct be built TO extend from Il
point about Twelfth street street to rd Point Point
the line OF and over Broad street Of sufsi-
cient strength and width TO admit OF
sfreet-cars and any and all other vehicles
to pass over IL. with space set apart
, mat we are OF opinion that the city
of Richmond should build such viaduct
and own the same, 70 be paid for by the
issue and sale OF bonds; that the city
should grant a privilege 10 some street.
ear company 10 run cars over the via
duct when built.
That We earnestly request that the
honorable City Council VIII have submit
ted 10 the people Of the city at the cleo
ton In November. 1855, the question IL
the city OF Richmond shall erect VIA
Duct and II II shall issue and sell its
bonds TO pay tuHltlyi, tliht thS INfl-
orable city Council Will. in its good
judgment. provide what shall be the con-
ditlons and restrictions under which such
n viaduct shall be built.
That a committee be appointed 10
nresent these resolutions and preamble
10 the City Council Of Richmond. with a
request that that honorable. body viii
give the matter prompt and favorable
T. WILEY DAVIS,
r. II. FERGUSON,
JOHN a. CURTIS
Rev J. w MOORE,
W T. HANCOCK
CYRUS BOSSrEUX,
q. II. FUNSTEN,
L. s. CAMP.