Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-03

park by laying u double track around
IT'S ledge" for the benefit of any
who may desire to make the circuit, or
land at stops around the park, 1t would
be quite easy to simplify the grant
and bring 1t within the space of q sin
gle short section. The first section asks
for the privilege of running the track
along the north OR the south side OR
EDGE OF THE SAID CITY PARK"
This gives either side for starting the
tracks around the park, so when one
side is chosen and the tracks are run
to the point selected near the old
Homestead" why not continue around
the opposite side to the point OF begin
ming and THUS form loop" ff that
is all that is intended? That certainly
SEEMS to be all that the city has a
right to grant The first section gives
either the north OR the south side and
therefore BOTH SIDES UNTIL ONE is
chosen. The second section states that
II the company exercise the privilege
given under section first of selecting
ONE side. then the opposite side may
also be used in order Ito form loop"
Now comes another part OF the second
section, and it is harder to understand
than anything which William II.
Evarts ever wrote. 1t reads as follows:
Or If the privilege be first exercised
on the north side Of the park of extend
ing from the point near the Old Home
stead to the keepers house, as shown
on the blue prints above mentioned,
and also to extend its tracks and ope-
rate its cars by electricity by means
Of bridge or trestle across Tanner's
Creek, from point near the keeper 8
house, and to the south thereof. So far
as the Councils have a right to grant
said rights, such additional privileges
granted by this section to be exercised
at such times as the Norfolk Street
Railroad may deem proper to do So"
The proposed ordinance, as printed
above. cut from the Public Ledger of
the 18th ultimo, and assume that it is
correctly printed. The lengthy COM
pound last quoted may be exactly what
was intended; but taken in connection
with the first section, 1t will bear a
marvellous variety of construction. 1t
commences with the words: COR if the
privilege be first exercised" etc. This
would seem to refer to the privilege
granted In the first section; but that
section says nothing about extending
tracks FROM the point near the OLD
Homestead, but 1t does speak OF GO
ING TO a point near the Old Home
stead. The blending of the additional
privileges" granted by the second
section with those granted In the first
other Is so artistIcally done that 1t is
difficult to see where the first ends and
the second commences. Now. I do not
mean to charge that the proposed ordi-
nance is intended TO smuggle in privis
ieGes which do not appear on the face.
but / do say that 1t may be possible
under 1t to accomplish an Injustice To
the people of this city. and In my opin-
lon 1t should not be granted. The rail-
road company, or other parties, could
purchase lands to the north or south
of the park. and could lay them out in
lots, open streets and light up that
whole section by supplying electricity
for the twenty-five arc lights" which
this ordinance permits to be construct.
ed AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PFC.
PIE OF THIS CITY. who would hnve
no share in the profits to grow ont ri
such a possible speculation. If the rail.
road company wishes to extend It's
tracks SO as to reach sections to thf
north or south OF the park and toucf
the EDGE of THE PARK at certoir
points, the city will probably Offer mr.
direction if the already tax-burdened
citS Is not asked to furnish "poles
lamps and wires" which means. df M
more), to construct the entire .machin
cry for lighting we know not where o,
what. When We want lamps IN THE
PARK PROPER we can put then
there without being COMPELLED t.
do 1t under grant to the rallroat
company. CAUTION.