Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-04-25
A WARM MEETING.
Levy Court Held Special
Session This Morning.
RAILROAD FRANCHISE DISCUSSED

ARGUMENTS ON THE GRANTING !
OF a RIGHT OF WAY TO THE NEW
CASTLE AND DELAWARE CITY
ELECTRIC COMPANY HEARD by
THE CoM1nssIoNBRs-rHE ORA
TORS BECOME HEATED.
The Levy Court commissioners met in
special session at the Court House this
morning to hear arguments relative to
the New castle ana Delaware city cleo
trio railway franchise.
Before the meeting was over several of
the orators became warmed up to their
work and thoir uttorances were. to say
the least very forclble.
HIILEs' OPPOSITION.
Attorney william $. Hines led the op-
position to granting the company tho
right Of way OF the public road and
causdwnys between the two cities, and
he was baclSed In his arguments by a
number Of farmers and property holders
present.
| In The course of his remarks Mr. Hlllos
stated that he wanted II distinctly un-
derstool that he was not opposed to the
road. but to the contrary was In favor
of g. ass "a great many persons, himself
Included would be benefited by lbs con-
struction. But. he said he was opposed
TO the Levy Court granting the electric
company a right to use the roadbed Of
the public highway for its tracks and
thereby endanger the lives of persons
who were accustomed and had right
TO drive along thc roadway.
"'rho Levy Court has no right to grant
permission to the New Castle and Dcia-
ware city Railway Company" said Mr..
Hlllcs. ito construct their road over the
course proposed. The Legislature alone
has that power To let them have the
right Of way over bridges or causcways
is out Of the question, and aside from the
legal point OF view, the Levy Court has
no power to endanger the lives OF clti-
zens
"rhc people must have a road that can
be used with safety ana the opposition
to this proposed franchise need not be
confined to residents Of New Castle and
Rcd Lion hundreds, but to all those who
are accustomed to use the highway. no
matter whether they live IN Dover.
Smyrna, Mlddletown or any other part
Of the state.
''rhls company Is asking the people Of
this state 10 give them the right Of way
along the road and then pay for their
grading through taxation. The company
, In its petition guarantees nothing, prom
iscs nothing, and u Is a vague and un-
certain document. Some claim that the
! company promises to widen the road suf.
= hciently to allow the safe passage Of
horses and without danger Of accident
!. but you cannot keep an animal unaccus
tomel to electric cars In any space fac
> ing "a car running at the rate OF hfteer
miles an hour. Let the company bunt
\ IT'S road upon the land adjoining IN,
highway, and / understand a number Of
property owners along the proposed rout'
will donate land for that purpose for tn'
sake Of having the road"
Two petitions. signed by the road com
missloners Of both New Castle and Rec
Lion hundreds and some 100 other name
In opposition to the road as proposed
= were handed into the court by Mr.. Hilles
Farmer Alfred Davidson was strenu
Gus opposer Of the road as II desired th'
" right Of way, as were severel 0therl
" present
MIR. MCOOAIB WARNS UP.
The strongest and most forcible oppo
, nent however. was james B. A1cCoEnh
= Of Brandywine hundred. who. though h.
Il does not live In the vicinity Of the pro
p posed route, opposed 81 on the groun'
that 81 was taking money out Of the tax
~ payers pockets. I'm the second larges
taxpayer In the state" said Mr.. McComt
d, and 1 pay $1,000 a year IN taxes, an
u when a corporation wants a privilege
,s say let H pay for It. I'm not opposed t
corporations. but / am to monopollei
They are curse to this country, an
should not be tolerated. / want TO sc
% the road in existence, but / want to sc
NJ the company pay for Its privilege also.
r, MIR. HEISEL FAVORS SCHEME.
,oI Attorney r. Bayard HeIsl lit the FIRE
or In favor Of the proposed route, and d
q was ably seconded by Theodore +. Clarl
,o Mr. Hescl stated that a great numbe
o. OF the slgners of the petition In oppos
ton TO the road were not property holt
ers. and that "a number also were Dela
ware City merchants who were afral
that they would lose dollar IN trade b
the new road.
sr Mr.. Clark said that along the road fro
II, Tybout's Corner to Delaware CITY bl
one property owners name appeared G
re the petition. Theodore p. Rogers al.
n spoke in favor OF the road. Levy Cour
to Commissioner White said he was OF Il
no opinion that the court had no power
or grant the franchise as proposed. Cou
* adjourned at noon without taking actlc
IT. on the matter.