The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-03-26
Renonstrants Appear Before
the Board Of Aldermen
Last Evening.
Able Arguments Presented Why
Blackstone Street Should
Remain Open.
MUCH FEELING IN THE MATTER.
Conv'scing Argument Made by Frank E.
fltzsimmons In Behalf Of Mrs. Alice Free.
nau, Daughter Of Hon. George jerks.

nan, Daughter of Hon. George jerks.
The special meeting OF the Board oi
Aldermen called by President Eastwood
was held last evening in the Council cham
ber TO hear the remonstrances of the abut-
ters on; the closing of Blackstone street.
Quite number appeared before the Board
and aired their objections to the proposed
dead. The roadway In question Is not an
accepted highway by the City Council, but
according to the laws of easement or pre-
scriptive right the highway in question is
an accepted public highway. A question
was raised by one OF the gentlemen repre-
seuting an abutter whether or not the
Board could take action In the matter, but
the Board, In the opinion of the City 30
iicitor, had perfect right to proceed with
tho hearing.
General Manager Mccoy appeared In the
mart of tie American Curled Hair Company
and the New England Electrolytic Cop
Per Company and made Q statement why
the aforesaid street should be closed. From
acarefui perusal of his arguments It can
not be said that they were not logical ones,
nor In the opinion of many were they
staple ones. No one in the city will deny
the fact that the corporation is beneficial
in sense to the business interests Of the
city. The company employs q certain
number Of men, pays weekly or monthly
aoertain sum in wages, which as a rule,
hnds It's way into the business channels of
trade, and In all probability will some day
increase its output thereby causing larger
amount OF money to be put into circula-
tion-
On the other hand the remonstrants,
numbering great many influential citi
zens and wealthy corporations, are unit
in declaring that the closing of this street
would be rank injustice to them and to
their long established rights as citizens of
this city and as business men who, having
capital invested, use this street OK portion
of the street in the lawful and needful
pursuit OF their business. In fact, one of
the objectors to this deal, or at least his
heirs, were present, and it was learned in
the course OF the discussion that it was
the original owner of the property who
laid out this highway and gave the use of
it, subject to certain agreements with the
railroad people, to the city with the spe-
cifio understanding that it remain open
for all time unless it became public nui-
sance or detrimept to the interests of the
city. The matter was fully discussed and
it seemed from an impartial standpoint
that there was a good deal of bulldozing
tactics displayed by one of the petitioners.
1t was implied, in q manner that II the
request was not granted that, at least, one
of the petitioners mig ht, like the Arabs of
old, "pull up their stakes and steal away
to other lands" This indirect threat was
happily answered, and forcibly, too, by
Frank E. Fitzsinmons, who appeared In
the interests of Mrs. Albert Freeman, one
of the interested parties.
Board Called to Order.
The Board was called to order by Presi-
dent Eastwood shortly before o'clock, all
the members of the Board being present.
The records of the previous meeting were
read, and no objections being raised, the
records were approved. President East
wood stated the reason why the Board was
called 10 order. Alderman Mccartney said
that on account of the large number of
people present he thought 1t would be ad-
visable to adjourn to the Council Cham
Der, and 1t was SO voted.
The Board was called to order by Presi-
dent Eastwood, who called for statements
from the remonstrants. The proceedings
were somewhat peculiar, inasmuch as the
regular form was not pursued. After con-
siderable delay the petition was read and
then there was some light thrown upon
the matter to be discussed.
Remonstrants Present Their Case.
Upon the invitation of President East
wood, Joseph j. Chamberlain said that he
was there to represent the interests of M.
j. Wood and Mr.. Bray. He said that the
interested parties had property upon that
street and that Il would be q serious dam
age to them and to their property II the
street were closed. It had been open for
years and 1t will do more harm than good.
At this time the prayer Of the petitioners
was reed. Continuing Mr.. Chamberlain
said, that the arch under the railroad could
not be closed, and II the street was aban-
doned 1t would nullify the agreement made
between the owners Of the Jenks' property
and the railroad. He said that It was ut
terly impossible to sell land In that quarter
on account of the fumes arising from the
Copper Company, and he thought that 1t
was no more than right that the old resi-
dents had some rights.
George W. Jenks Spoke.
George w. Jenks said he was property
owner on that street, and II would damage
him Considerably ~ the atrcot xyere cIoaed
He said that the street had been open for
period Of 30 or 40 years. The street, In
his opinion, would be of more use II the
lower portion were not used as a store
house by the petitioners, and II the street
is closed up IL will spoil the sale of the
land, which would by this action depre-
ciate In value. II this matter were carried
out the city would suffer, - it would be