The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-02-29
THE BERNLEY ANNEXATIOS-A
STATEMENT DEMANDED.

Il Tile pubic OIL kNOEioinN civ $500
| were astonished at the action OF 'he
i legislative committee IN the matter Oh
] tho annexation OF Berkley-tirst, by IT'S
Limitation of the discussion OF so inpor-
tant a matter to one hour: ana second
the hasty five-mnute conclusion OF inc
committee, resolving to report adversely
on the bill The Virginian would have
| commented before on this subject. but
| that II has awaited some report to the
public from the committee OF the
Councils and of the people of Berkeley.
who had the matter III charge-in which
the matter might be cxplaIncd-and such
information furnished as would acquaint
the people with all the facts connected
with the hasty and remarkable conclu-
sion of the Legislative Committee.
Itappears remarkable. that matter
affecting the interests of d city like Nor
folk-the second in population i'm the
State, and the first In commercial impor-
tance-should not have merited and
commanded from the Legislature great
err consideration.
1t had met the approval Of the Coun-
ellis of this city. and the endorsation, 1t
Is believed, Of the great mass of Its
measure, the success of which would,
more than any other project that has
required and secured legislative approx
al, tend to the greatest development of
this city in dts ambition to become tho
great city OF the South. A large ma
jority OF the taxpayers OF Berkeley
aware of the vast benefits that would
ment Of their town as q ward of Norfolk
had demonstrated their approval OF tho
scheme of annexation. Why, then, was
| it so summarily dealt with by the Legls
| lative committee? Let the committees
| who represented Norfolk and the ajor
| ~ of the Taxpayers of Berkeley make /;
statement of the facts connected will
lative committee. The people desire 1,
and 1t should be made
1t had been predicted that no matter
what the influence might be and no mat
| ter how powerful were reasons which
would be presented in favor of the. an.
nexation of Berkeley. that the Legislative
committee would put It's foot upon tn.
project.
The Pilot asserts that It has II from
4 reputable and creditable authority
that Mr.. w. a. Glasgow. Jr., who, 1t Is
Informed. is the attorney OF the Norfolk
and Western Railroad Company, n citi.
zen of Roanoke, declared at Richmond
that that railroad opposed the scheme
and that he was there 10 prevent IL
This !s,a remarkable declaration. Cap.
tain Osborne, the representative Of the
road in this city. had Informed the An,
neXation Committee that his road would
not oppose the measure. and the Virgi
Man Is creditably Informed that Mr.
kimbal had informed gentleman
who had called on him in philadelphia
that his company would not put an,
obstacles in the way of annexation. The
| reported declaration of Mr.. Glasgow /.
therefore astonishing, when taken IN
connection with the statement that lit
Alr Glasgow Informed Mr. Barton
Myers, of the Annexation Committee
that everything had been settled in ad.
vance, before even the hearing OF Tho
| question by the Legislative committee
to turn the matter down. If this state.
ment of Mr.. Glasgow Is true. It was
shameful farce upon the part OF tn,
Legislative committee to go through the
form OF a hearing, even Il hearing limit.
cd 10 an hours duration.
If this Is true, II was an insult to the
city of Norfolk-and 1t was trning with
matter of the greatest moment to tho
development and prosperity of our city
1t was reprchensihle in every degree
Let this committee submit statemen,
for the public information. It Is it:
duty to do so.