Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-13

10 De nedFu mere. IL is true IQdI UQeTe
is matter of competition, but that is
not a matter now before this Commit
tee. The issue is as to crossings, and
as to plans where the roads go on the
same street. The Company can ex-
plain those things better than l can,
and why this may not be in the in
terests of the public For instance,
you go down Market street beside our
track. That is a privilege which was
never granted before in this city, and
yet this ordinance proposes a double
track. | don't believe there is room
for such a track, or that il is for the
benefit of the public-but, as | have
said, others can speak as to that much
better than |. | only ask that there
may be a reasonable delay, so that
people who have general interests can
have an opportunity to be heard. Act
in a deliberative manner, and do not
rush this measure through.
Proceeding, Mr.. Allison complained
generally that he had no opportunity
to see the ordinance until half-past
seven o'clock, and therefore had no
chance to either read or digest its con-
tents. 81 simply ask that you allow
people very much interested an OPP
portunity to come before the Commit
tee. and that final action be not taken
tonight"
Mr.. Boyce here obtained the floor
and said:
81 don't believe the Committee
means to act hurriedly. | don't be-
lieve there should be hasty action for
a number of reasons. The Commit
tee should take time. Mr.. Coniff is
mistaken when he says this is the
proper Committee. The Railroad
Committee has nothing to do with
the recommendation of a franchise.
have had some small experience in
municipal affairs, and my impressions
of the duties of the Railroad Commit
tee is confined solely to the route.
The matter of drafting an ordinance
comforting powers is clearly with the
Ordinance Committee, and | have
never known of reference to the
Railroad Committee for that purpose.
Sometimes ordinances are referred to
Railroads and Ordinances jointly, but
never to Railroads. Mr.. Coniff stated
last night that for number OF rea-
sons they had not been able to report
the measure, and had agreed that the
Ordinance Committee should be called
for Friday night. Meanwhile the
Railroad Committee was called, and at
the meeting of Council the Peoples
Railway ordinance was withdrawn and
a new ordinance introduced and refer
red to Railroads. There are number
of reasons why this Committee should
pa vat hoc mn hay
of interests to be considered besides
those of the Wheeling Railway Com
pany, and those interests are those of
the people whom you represent. The
map shows you that the Wheeling
Railway Company lines are paralleled
for over eleven squares on the princi-
pal thorouglhfare of the city.
Mr.. Contribution do you represent?
The Wheeling Railay Company?
Mr. Boyce-The Wheeling Railway
Company and the people owning prop
erty on the streets
Mr.. Coniff-What people?
Mr.. Boyce-I have right here as
citizen.
Mr. Coniff-I suppose you have.
Mr.. Boyce-I don't think l ought to
say whom l represent, and don't think
you have a right to ask.
Mr.. Coniff-Well. if you don't wish to
say, all right.
Mr.. Boyce-The Committee should
defer action and take evidence. The
line win depreciate the value Of prop
erty, and l want to say to you that
the city you represent and that |
have right to represent will be
deluged with law suits if this line is
built.
Mr.. Coniff-Don't you think that is a
matter for the Railway Company, and
not for the city. Did you ever know
of a case of that kind where the city
was sued?
MIR. Boyce-I don't know that I do;
but you have no right to do this 1t
not only does violence TO right, but it
takes away from individual owners
their rights and takes away from them
the value of their property.
Mr.. Coniff-Are you arguing the
merits Of the matter, or to defer action?
Mr.. Boyce-I am simply arguing for
q postponement.
Mr.. Coniff insisted that he had a
right TO know whom Mr. Boyce repre-
sented, and Mr.. Boyce retorted that he
had a right to appear simply as a eiti-
zen. He thought that knowledge of
whom he represented could not aid Mr.
Coniff in answering his arguments.
Mr.. Coniff-Just a moment Mr..
Allison has evidently not been n touch
with the situation during ~ oAse
three months. He never asked that
the Wheeling Railway Company lie
heard. That Company could have
been heard from every day. There
has not been day when the Wheel
ing Railway Company could not have
been heard from.
Mr.. Boyce-Heard from whom?
Mr.. Coniff-Not the attorneys. Int
from the officers. There has not been
day when the ordinance could not
have been seen by any one who wished
to. but there was no demand to see it.
The only change In this ordinance is
the route from Chapdne street to