The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-11-28

been given the public through the columns
of The Times. The majority report of the
Street Committee recommended the rejee-
ton of both petitions. while the minority
report recommended the granting of the
right to the Traction Company to operat t,
cars on Main Street The latter report was
signed unconditionally by Messrs. r. L.
Peters and Otway s.. Allen, and conditions
ally by Messrs. ]. H. Lawder and Harry c.
Glenn, who thought some amendments
might oe desirable.
Clerk August started TO read the ordi-
nances, and Mr.. Wallerstein moved that
this oe dispensed with until after argu-
ment had been heard, and that the attor-
nays for each side be allowed twenty min
!utes each for the presentation OF his case,
and that each citizen who desired to speak
be granted five minutes in which to do So
Mr.. Caskie thought the lawyers for the
companies should be granted unlimited
time to discuss, the question. it being one
Of such great Importance.
Mr.. Wallerste.n offered to amend his
motion SO as to ;:iloN a1r. c. Y. Meredith,
representing the Traction Company,
twenty minutes at the opening and twenty
minutes at tire closing Of the debate and
t, grant Messrs. Martin and Ainslie, of
colrsel for the Passenger and Power
Company, the floor forty minutes in the
7.terim
An amendment as to unlimited time fo-
argument was offered by Mr.. Caskie and
vas adopted by vote of twenty-five ayes
to seven noes.
Councilman Winston. of Clay Ward, Of
feed a petition signed by many of the
fscuity and students of Richmond College
asking that the petition of the Traction
Company to operate its cars on the Main
Street tracks of the Passenger and Power
Company be granted.
President Ehel. at this juncture. an
nounced that any citizen present would be
Allowed five minutes in which to give his
Views on the questions. at issue. This
brought Captain J. N. Higgins. who came,
ne said. to present a petition signed by $50
citizens and voters Of jefferson Ward. ask
ing that the Council adopt the ordinance
allowing the Traction to run its cars
or Main Street.
SOME ANCIENT HISTORY.
Captain Higgins being the only citizen to
sreak. the argument by counsel began. Mr..
Meredith Of The Traction Company. max
ing the opening speech. After thanking
the members OF the Council for setting
a special time for hearing the railway
question he said that he only pronosed
to touch upon the history Of the old Rich
mond Railway and Electric Company on
e"ither than to show its relation to the new
company. II do not undertake to crit
else severely said Mr.. Meredith, what
the Richmond Passenger and Power Com
pany has done for the citizens has done
in the last six months. I do not think
that it has done as much as it might have
done. We all know of the outrages and
abuses lleaped upon the people of Rich
mend by the old company. and we do not
think the Passenger and Power Company
can come before you and claim OF you
that it is entitled 10 the imlnunities and
privileges of the Cid COMPANY unless it also
bears the odium that attaches thereto.
Mr. Meredith smoke of the right given
the old company to electrify Broad Street
in 1888 when the old mule cars pravi6ed
the only means for transportation on that
ma gnificent t!lorouef,fare. and said the old
company did not then come to the relief
of the neople The leaving of the tracks
on Rnnk Street abandoned some months
ago by the old cornranv was referred to.
Mr. Meredith saying that the work of
tearing UP these tracks and repairing the