The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-04-27

ings over a railroad. In 1870 a law was
 passed allowing the railroad commis-
 sioners to lay out such crossings where
 1t was deemed expedient. And between
 1870 and 1883 there were a few of these
 crossings laid out But since 1883 this
 power was taken away and no more
 grade crossings can be built over the
 tracks of any steam railroad in this
 city"
 Hon. William D. Blshop-President
 Clark has Stated the merits of the case
 most excellently. The people of the
 state, the citizens of Bridgeport and the
 railroad all want this work done. It is for the interests of all, have been a
 citizen of Bridgeport since 1887 and be
 fore the railroad was built and was con-
 nected with all the railroads that were ever built there. In 1850 the largest city in the state was New Haven and the others in order were Hartford, Nor wich, New London and Middletown, and Bridgeport had about the same popula- ton, say about 7500 each. Bridgeport is now either the second or third city
 in the state in population. Now, l at tribute the growth of the city to Its
 railroad facilities. The city subscribed
 $150,00O towards the building of the
 Housatonic road, receiving back the sum of $50,O0O in bonds of the Nauga-
 tuck road. The city of New Haven | contributed about S1 1,000, 1000 toward rail road building, all of which has been lost save what has been derived from the ! transportation, and to all facilities Hartford has contributed $2,000000, of which $500, 900 they received back. Mid
 dletown has contributed $1,045,O0o, all of 1 which was dead loss.
 He read al letter from Governor Coffin I stating the amount contributed by Mid I dletown towards railroads, but the city
 had received back benefits in transport
 ation equal to this amount, the letter 1 stated.
 More streets have been laid across | the New Haven road in Bridgeport than on the rest of the line between. New York and New Haven. Twenty or i twenty-one new streets have been laid out across the railroad in Bridgeport since the railroad was built. It is evil l dent to every one in Bridgeport that l this improvement should be made and | that it will never be done unless the leg | Iislature says it shall be done. The rail I road company can build their four l tracks now with very little expense; I they have land enough, but believe it is | for the interests of all concerned that 1 the grades should be eliminated. On the south side, within a quarter of mile of the tracks, property will be en-
 hanced 25 per cent. by this improve ment People will not buy property 4IA lac a rl eliminated. I do hope the committee will recommend some law by which this work will be carried on, The more the city of Bridgeport shall oppose this measure the more believe will the leg islature be prejudiced against those in- terests."
 Vice President Hall-Who was re- sponsible for putting these grade cross ings there is immaterial. These cross ings would not be there to-day if the city of Bridgeport had not said that the railroad should go there. This is inn material} but there is general consent that the improvement should be made and the crossings eliminated.
 Vice President Hall then offered substitute bill, and he said he doubted if there would ever be a. fairer bill of fered. He said the bill was much like that of the Davenport bill, and it also provided eor hearings in Bridgeport before a competent commission. One of the provisions is that the state shall be represented by it's comptroller in the matter of the apportionment of the ex- pense,
 MT. Davenport asked if there would be any objection to striking out the provision for building new draw bridge on the lines of the present bridge.
 Vice President Hall suggested a sub stitution as follows: "Or at such other point as the commissioners may or der."
 Judge Hall said he would be favorable to that.
 Afterward MT. r.Davenport said the city would not insist in regard to a possible change in the route of the bridge.
 The chairman-We understand that you, MT. Davenport, and Judge Hall are agreed upon the matter of these inn provements?
 MT. Davenport-I believe that my po- sition is the best that can be pro- vided for the city.
 Major Clark said that he preferred to | have the work done by a commission than to take the initial responsibility himself.
 Judge HalI-The committee would not 1 consider that. It must be left with | some one man. and the mayor will l do what is right. The moment we know | what is to be done Gas the president | said) the agreement of expenses can be decided in an hour. Here are thlr- ty-two crossings in four miles. No | matter how they came there, it Is I a greed they should be eliminated. It | was ali done that Bridgeport might | grow. That is all there is to it. Now | if we can agree upon the manner of doing the work, all right; if not a com mission can step in. The state rail road commissioners are just and fair men, and. will act honorably. If there Is an appeal after that then the courts cam step in and settle the matter to the satisfaction of all."