Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1896-12-30

is we didn't understand all the features
about it ourselves at first, hence the
postponement the first time was as much
for our ownselyes as the people, who
were not well informed upon the subject.
You see there are many matters OF
great Importance to the people involved
in the subject, the details of which are
very meagre and indefinite. We have
been requested by people from all quar-
ters to tell them more about it and not
take leap in the dark.
You see the new rails are great inn
provement over the old ones, but the
street has been raised SO high without
authority, tool, that the property grade
established by the city is so much lower
than the street, that all the water runs
off and submerges the sidewalks i'll
very heavy storm. This state of affairs
necessarily causes dissatisfaction and in
time suit after suit for damages will be
instituted. The city, of course, would
have had to pay these damages had we
accepted the Commissioners proposition
to release the company from all respon-
siDility, because it will be remembered
that there has never been any objection
by the city to the raising of the grade,
only the new rails. Then again, the
company insist on running over the pres
ent track and up Atlantic avenue twice
a year in order to maintain their charter
Entrance to Atlantic avenue by any
other way would not secure their claim
1t would seem according to this, and it
undoubtedly is the fact. that the com
pany have no righ5 to Atlantic avenue
for their trolley line or for any other
purpose below the intersection of main
line to Atlantic avenue at North Caro-
lima avenue. except by right of posses
sion. Had the scheme been successful
the company would have secured the
exclusive right and domain from this
point south as far as they go. Is this
great advantage to the city? 1t is rumor-
ed that the Albrecht property and Som
ers Doughty property adjoining each
other, make a frontage on Atlantic ave-
nue. of nearly 200 feet, and can be
bought for $4,000 or thereabout. We
fail to see after a careful consideration
the great advantage to the people and
taxpayers by plunging the city into an
enormous real estate deal for public pur.
$4,000, and secure a lot more than as
big again and plenty large enough for
the requirements for $4,000, thus saw
ing to the city SO, 900 cash and having
a location more central and much better
adapted for all purposes than the
Schaufier property. OF course, this is
different financiering than that adopted
by the Commissioners and some of the
Councilmen, but the city is $4,000 bet
ter off, There is no doubt the company
will buy the Schaufler property. 1t is
very valuable to them. They will then
widen South Carolina avenue themselves
at their own expense which of course is
entirely right and proper, inasmuch as
more space is needed for vehicles when
approaching the depot In the busy sea-
son much dificuItv iS aypariencpd nv
both pedestrians and wagons.
Press what is to become of
the old city hall site, you said to sell it a
while ago?
Councilman Rose-Yes. Well, if you
remember it was proposed to exchange
that with the company for $4,000 had
the deal been successful. So if it
was valuable to that amount, as had
been said. it is just as valuable and in as
much demand now. This would give the
company frontage of quite a square on