Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-27
LOWER THE BRIDGE.
MANCHESTER COUNCIL AGREES TO
THE c. S o. SCHEME.
The VICTORY A DECISIVE ONE.
A Long and Spirited Discussion, in
which Many Citizens and Messrs.
AxteII and Catiin Take Pnrt-Cnr-
ried by Two-Tbirds Vote.

| Of a splendid depot and office building in
| Richmond, and other Improvements that
it is estimated will cost 100000.
The last material barrier was removed
last night, when the Manchester Council
consented to allow the grade Of the Free
bridge TO be covered so as to admit OF
the proposed viaduct passing over it.
The fight was a long and spirited one,
but the victory was decided, the proposi-
tion being carried by a two-thirds vote.
The meeting OF the Council was an ad-
| journed one held for the consideration
Of this matter and no other business
was transacted. The interest of the peo-
| pie was shown by the large crowd of
citizens in attendance.
There were present Messrs John
| OBrien PresidenD. G. II. Sims, w. o.
Randlett, Matthew Morton. J. r. Green,
w. II. owens, II. c. Nelson, w. T. Hart,
| r. l.. Patram, NJ. A. Campbell. and w.
| w. Pool-not one vacant desk
The great interest of the city's best
citizens was attested by the fact that
every possible space I'm the chamber was
occupied by an interested. and at times
an excited. and sympathetic listener
This was the time at which the matter
of granting the privilege of lowering the
Free bridge. petitioned for by the Chesa-
| peake and Ohio Railway Company 10
admit the passage of their viaduct over
| it, had been fixed for hearing. The
ground of reopening the question. with
which the public are familiar, was that
now the railroad company agrees TO COM
promise on the proposition made by the
| Council back to the company. in con-
sentng to construct the blinds to the
viaduct for 80 feet on each side of the
bridge.
MIR. AXTELL HEARD.
When the City Fathers convened. Mr..
Decatur Axtell. vice-president Of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Company was in
vited 10 make a statement OF the re-
newed position Of his people. Mr.. Ak
tell made a strong presentation Of the
principles upon which he conceived that
the matter really rested His line of
reasoning was essentially objective. He
spoke of a recent trip through Northern
States. and cited many instances along
his Zine of travel where railroad viaducts
pass over private and commercial
travel, where private vehicles Of all
kinds. drawn by spirited animals. pass
under, and are not frightened I'm the
least Mr. Axtell said he was In earnest,
meant all he said and that now his COM
pany had reached it's ultimatum, and
could do no more than 1t offered. He
said he was truly surprised TO see the
position the people Of Manchester had
apparently taken. and that they were so
blind to their city's best interests. He
spoke also. of the fact that even though
the Council granted the request the mat
ter could not end there. but must pass
the Bridge Commissioners, and the char
ter Of the Henrlco county turnpike must
be changed Mr. Axtell throughout the
time he spoke was accorded the closest
attention Of the nneuihers Of the Council,
and his arguments seemed TO ma tnelr
Judgement with his hearers.
NO BENEFIT TO MANCHESTER.
Mr. Hart offered a motion that the dis
cussion be limited to five minutes to each
member Of the Council, but the motion
made no provision for citizens not con-
nected with the Council to express their
position. a protest was raised and the
gentleman withdrew II IN favor of un-
limited debate The discussion was
opened by Mr. Sims. Of the First Ward.
who said he was Of the opinion that it
would benefit the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railway Company. but he questioned
very seriously whether Manchester would
ever feel it's blessed influence. Let ii
be done" he said. "but let it benefit
Manchester. as It will not DO So / hope
it will be the pleasure Of the Council TO
stand by it's former position"
Mr. Morton said he was sure his col
leagues would be glad TO hear from
some Of the representative citizens whom
he saw present. and upon motion any
gentleman who desired IL was extended
the privilege of free discussion Of the
matter
This courtesy, on the part Of the Coun-
ell brought TO the floor Mr.. A. j. Brad
ley who will be remembered as having
fought the petition Of the railroad COM
pany most strenuously- when the matter
was previously before the body. Mr.
Bradley said he was still against Il, and
had seen no reason whatever why his
opinion should be changed. 1t would in
iure Manchester, and Richmond would
get the benefit Of perhaps S2s 900 in reve-
nues. Then there was so much fair talk
and railroads do their share When the
Belt Line built their bridge across James
river in the very sound Of the sledge-
strokes of Chesterfeld's quarries. not
one stone from these most extensive
quarries was used. but stone from else
where and old material was used. Mr..
Axtell begged to interrupts Mr.. Bradley.
10 say that his company would use no
old material whatever, but 1t should all
be new Mr. Bradley said he was glad
that such was the case. and continued to
speak against granting the petition.
II was the opinion Of Mr.. Morton that
the company had offered TO do all that
any one could expect them to do, and
that Richmond would be very greatly
benefited and Manchester I'm proportion.
COULD SEE NO ADVANTAGE
Accepting the courtesy Of the Council
to citizens who desired TO express their
views upon the matter Mr.. Augustine
RoyaH said that he did not think he
would be doing justice 10 the large num-
Der of Manchester's people whom his busi-
ness interests involved, If he did not put
his voice on the side where he found him
self. He had thought over IT, talked
about IL with businessmen in Manches-
ter and i'm Richmond but had never
been able TO see what advantage. save
in a remote degree, Manchester would
receive.
"But now" said he, "lf this matter
is 10 be of such great advantage TO
Richmond and the railroad company,
and. as is claimed, to Manchester. let
Richmond and Manchester come together
as two businessmen owning adjoining
farms. and talk the matter over, and
come TO some agreement about the mat
ter. Let Richmond tell why it will bene-
ft Manchester, and let each tell the
other what may be DONE
Before taking his seat Mr.. Royal in
troduced Mr.. L. A. Catlin. OF Richmond.
whom. he said, had come as a repre-
sentative from many businessmen OF
the capital city; and at the invitation
of the Council Mr. Catlin came forward
THEIR INTERESTS ARE ONE.
Mr.. Catlin said he was sorry that in
,he discussion a distinction had been
made between Richmond and Manches-
ter hut one must see that their interests
N-N' - he hfatorfo~ and