The Washington times., 1895-06-22
GRAVE OWNERS PROTEST
Indignant Against the Proposed
Disturbance of GIenWOOd Lots.
DENOUNCING DISSERTATION
Strenuous Opposition to the Street
Extension Plan of the District Conn
Observation-Disclosures Resolutions
Adopted and the eAppealtotheC
Is Indorsed- 10 Save 1t.

The call for a meeting of the lot owners
interested in Glenwood Cemetery, TO pro-
test against the plan of the District Com
missionefs for the extension of city streets
through that property, was last night re-
sponded to by about five hundred people.
Vigorous action was staken, strong speeches
were made and a series of emphatic reso-
lutions was adopted.
There was no mincing of words in the
matter The proposed extension of streets
through the property was declared to be
a direct violation of charter rights, and
the blame was placed particularly on the
syndicate, including the Dobbins' estate
represe entatives, Senator John Sherman,
A. L. Barber and Joseph Paul.
This syndicate, il was alleged, owns O
small suburban property that viii be
rendered more valuable by the cutting up
of the cemetery, and it is charged that
member of the company has been con-
stantly at the District building in the in
terests of the scheme.
Mr.. Philip F. Larner, the president of
the board of trustees, opened the meet
ing, and Mr.. George w. Cochran was
chosen TO preside. ~
gathering and spoke at some length of
the proposed desecration of the graves,
and voiced the sentiments of the audience
and all interested in solemnly protesting
against it.
SOME PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS.
Mr.. Lewis Clephane, secretary of the
board, read a lengthy report reviewing
the history Of several alleged previous
attempts of the real estate people to have
the scheme adopted.
He cited that as early as 1887 there
was an effort made to accomplish it. a
certain syndicate, he said owning the
unimproved property lying west of the
cemetery and between 1t and the new
reservoir, desired an eastern outlet
He quoted correspondence with the Com
missioners in which it appeared that the
board had promised in 1887, in view of
the concession for the extension of Mich
igan avenue, that there would be no ac-
tion towards opening the streets.
There was another alleged invasion of
the cemetery rights in 1892 by a pro-
posed law prohibiting burials within one
and One-half miles of Florida avenue, be-
tween Rock creek and the Metropolitan
branch of the b. & o. railroad.
Now comes this latest attempt, and the
secretary stated that a public protest
seemed tu be necessary.
The meeting was addressed by DR. Samuel
Domer, pastor of St PauTs English Lu-
theran Church; Col. John NJ Wilson, Dr.
Daniel Mcfarland, Mr.. Solomon J. Faglie,
Mrs. Sarah Spencer, Rev. j. Harries, and
others.
Mr.. FaEue denounced the whole matter,
and especially blamed the Commissioners.
The people have no rights he de-
clared, land will never have until they
get the right of suffrage"
Mr.. Harries was very emphatic.
what is this being done for?" he de-
manded. ITO bring down the rents OF
property so as TO make them conform to
4he pocke cts of the people?r No. If it
were that we might understand it"
Il believe in the resurrection of the
body" )" he exclaimed, "blt wantit to come
in Gods time ana not by order OF the District
Commissioners"
QUEER STATE OF AFFAIRS.
Col. Wilson said he was amazed beyond
measure when he learned the true state of
affairs.
Il join,r said he, with these gentle
men in denouncing this desecration. 1
move that the resolutions and the report
of the secretary be printed and placed be-
fore the high commission, and / am sure
the lot owners will get justice"
Dr. Mcfarland thought thatif perpetual
injunction could not be obtained, the own
ers might as well give up all, as he did not
want TO believe that at any time in the
future the same thing must be gone over
again.
Dr.. Domer regarded it as a marvellous
state of affairs that citizens should find il
necessary to meet and defend their rights
against the acts of those who should stand
in the relation OF public servants.
we must say, Hands off; this is our
city of the dead. DO not touch the ground
do not have the disposition to do it Who
is doing this thing? Surely, not our honor
able Commissioners"
DR.. Domer presented the resolutions,
which were adopted, their substance being
as follows:
THAT the action of the Commissioners
in plating streets to pass through the
property of the Glenwood Cemetery is not
only in direct violation OF the rights granted
by charter, but is also in violation of the
formal agreement made with the trustees
on the 31st day of December. 1889.
THAT the plating of said streets can
but be regarded as direct and deliberate
attack upon our cemetery, because such
streets are in no manner intended, or nee
essary for, the extension of the present
streets of the city, but solely in the inter
ests, apparently, OF land speculators.
THAT the action of the board of trustees
in institutng proceedings before the courts
to prevent the carrying out of the plans
of the Commissions receive our earnest
approval"
The trustees We're also instructed to
proceed further as they might deem to
be necessary.
After adopting a resolution OF thanks
to the board of trustees the meeting ad-
journed