Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-09-14
Mr.. pouw,s Explanation.

Mr.. EDITORIALS there seems to be a
misunderstanding as to :he motives which
prompted me TO vote against the granting
of the franchise to the Electric Railway
Company. take this means Of explain
ing to the citizens through your columns.
At former meeting OF the City Coun-
Gil, Mr.. Flood and myself offered as a
majority report of the Councils commit
tee on Electric Road, a substitute ordi-
nance which permitted the railway to
come to the city as far as Church Circle.
This ordinance the Council rejected.
When the Company's ordinance was
offered. proposed an amendment which
prevented them from coming further than
the Circle and although the Company S
representative stated that it was satisfac-
tory to them. it was lost. At the last
meeting offered another to the same
effect, which was also lost. My reasons
for this amendment were as follows:
Ist--I am opposed to the granting Of
unlimited and perpetual franchises with
out some compensation to the city grant
ing them. but as the demand OF the Com
pany was for an unrestricted franchise
ed to wish to get the railway at any
price. deemed it best to limit them to
the smallest possible number of streets.
so that in the event. at some future time.
tthe franchise being forever) of the citi-
zens becoming dissatisfied with the man
ner OF running the road, it would make
but little material difference. II is easier
to get q corporation in than to get them
our, as was evidenced when the movement
was on foot for the city TO obtain control
of the water stock.
7nd-As it did not appear how the
City Of Annapolis could be more benefit
ted by the railway running all over the
city or to King George street and Mary
land avenue than if it stopped after going
around Church Circle. thought that the
interests OF some of the largest Taxpayers
on College avenue who protested, should
be recognised. OF course, where thing
is benefit to the public at large. private
interests must give way. but in this case
public intests would Ito the best of my
belief) have been benefited by having
the terminus at the Circle. Persons com.
ing from Washington for the purpose Of
seeing the Naval Academy would be
more liable to spend their money with
US if they were compelled to pass the
stores. restaurants. ETC.. than if carried to
the Academy, where they would simply
go into the Academy, return. board the
cars and be carried away.
There was no intention on my part to
keep the railway from entering the city.
but it was what have seen OF other COR
porations of the sort that induced me to
get all there was possible TOR the city.
refer you to the offer of the Delaware
Central Electric Company to the town of
Dover, Del, to macadamize all the streets
in Dover, over which the tracks of the
Company is to run. to show that street
railway companies are willing to offer
something for franchises.
In conclusion. / will state for the bene-
fit of those who have not read the ordi-
nance, that while there is a clause in the
franchise that the Railway Company
must keep the road-bed inside their tracks
and for two feet on each side in repair.
there is nothing that can compel them to
pave in the event of the streets over
which they run being paved.
+. DE p. DOW.