Evening journal., 1895-03-01
rl.otrlo R.llrond LerIslatIon.

Electric Railroad Legislation.
The subject OF legislation for the
various electric roads, which are desirous
Of entering this city from all directions,
is again before us.
As means Of cheap, speedy and
convenient communication between the
city aud surrounding country, the
electric road is the best system that has
yet been devised, and those communities
which hsve availed tn emselves Of the
trolley system have been quickly and
amply repaid by the increase in land
values and the Increased population
which is brought TO the doors Of their
merchants
The Wilmington City Railway Com
pany has for years enjoyed monopoly
Of the rail way traffic In this city. Not
satisfied with the enjoyment Of a fran
chise which practically gives to 1t the
free and exclusive use OF the many miles
Of city streets, which have coat our
citizens and taxpayers hundreds Of
Thousands Of dollars, It assumes to take
upon itself the dictatorship Of the cleo
trio rail way business In the county
outside Of Wilmington and in the
state.
1t is not willing, nor able at this time,
to build the roads connecting this city
with the outside towns and villages, nor
will It permit these outside lines TO come
into the city nor to obtain any reasonable
legislation whatever. 1t is now high
time for our Legislators TO call halt on
this selfish and gresping corporation,
which is now standing as an obstruction
in the march Of Improvement in values
and trade and increase OF purchasing pop
ulation.
To the Legislature OF two years ago, =
bin was introduced asking for a charter
to build an electric railway between this
city and New Castle. That bill passed
both houses; but how2
By the influence aud workings Of the
Wilmington City Railway Company II
was passed with so many amendments si
to make the project Improbable and
well nigh impracticable. One Of the
restrictions was that the company should
build overhead bridges across even th'
tiny roads that intervene between vii.
mington ana New Castle The would
be capitalists gave up the scheme IL
despair.
The electric railway would be q splen
did factor to advance the prosperity o
this county. The small towns coul'
easily be connected by trolley lines, an,
those in turn with Wilmington. Res
estate along the lines would increase Il
value a building boom would be tn
natural outcome, the markets would b
Of more easy access
One who would profit not the least b
county electric lines Is the vii
mington merchant To the intendln
purchaser It would be less trouble I
come to the city by the trolley than to z
10 Philadelphia by steam cars He woul
suit his own convenieucs as 70 time bot
In coming and returning. When buyln
q ticket at the station It is Just as eaa
for him to 60 on to Philadelphia. That b
does in niue cases out Of ten aud II
Wilmington merchsnt Is the loser.
Now IL lies with the men assembled
Dover whether the Wilmington OH
Railway Company shall continue to ha'
monopoly Of the trolley system,
whether they decide for the interest
the county and state.
It Is the duty Of the General Assembl
to encourage the building Of these on
side lines and to promptly grant :
reasonable legislation to the end tn
the roads be speedily built.
We do not say that they should be ma
competitive lines to the Wilmington Oh
Electric Railway, which has done mul
to improve traffic in the city and having
large Investment at stake, is entitled
some consideration But every one OF the
suburban roads which are knocking
our door should be granted such powe
as will permit them 20 build their roa
and land their passengers at some ressc
able and convenient point in the city.
The Wilmington City Electric RsilW
Company should remember that {
increased transient population brong
to the city BY the suburban roads meu
proportionately larger number Of fai
for It's road.
It is the bounden duty Of our legis
tors to be extremely liberal with th
roads. at the same time protecting
interests OF the people
II is lucky for all the political par
that no one OF them can be held respo
bic for the doings Of the present Uni
States Senate II is a case Of every
for himself and the devil take the b