Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-15
THE THEN AND NOW OF THE
n. & w. PIERS,

A very good way to ascertain the
right and wrong of q thing is to en-
anime into it's history. and the condi-
lions surrounding it viewed III the light
| of the present and future.
In the first place how did the Nor
folk AM. Western first obtain the i,sht
to build the piers? We have already
published the letter of Gen. V. d. Gro
Commissioners. to Mr.. Ilimball, nresi-
dent of the Norfolk ana Western,
which is too eloquent and self-cxplan-
atory to need comment. Gen. Groner
explains TO Mr.. Kimball that the Nor
folk and Western was given Il big in
crease in its property thereby CON
tracing the channel"
The record of the Groner Board was
produced 20 show that Gen. Groner.
himself, granted this franchise be
tween meetings of the board, and that
the credit of it was due to the "intcl-
ligcnt work of Col. William Lamb"
Let us now turn to the history of
that timo. Politics changed. the Gro
ner Board went out. and n Democratic
Board succeeded it. Who were It's
members? Messrs. Charles Reed, pres
idcnt; Walter II. Doyle. Henry Kirn.
w. II. Peters, w. NJ. Hope. Z. J. Not
tingham and l.. ~. Dobic.
OF course the franchise had been
granted and the Norfolk ana Western
had built its piers; but even this did
not deter the new board from con-
demning the action of the old one. In
Iii. 4. 4 ia,
must influence the present board.
Boldly and without ninching, as If they
did not wish to have it handed down
to history that they acquicsced in the
action of the Groner Board, it said:
Upon n personal examination OF the
premises proposed to be thus occupied.
we are of the opinion that il would
have been far better in every view ii
the line in the immediate vicinity of
LambcrtS Point Lighthouse had been
established n consi6cra BILE distance in
side the present line, as originally re-
commended by the United States Ad-
visory Board. But. inasmuch as the
late Board of Harbor Commissioners
legally established the line which is
now occupied by costly improvements,
the removal of which would involve
heavy charge to the cities of Norfolk
and Portsmouth and county of Norfolk.
It Is concluded TO take no further ac-
ton at present.
Their voices live to-day as evidence
Of n good Judgment. n strong will and
determination to protect the harbor
and the channel. The importance of
the situation to that board must inn
press the most disintercsted and casual
observer. 1t IS an unusual thing for
Net %
condemn an act of 4 predecessor.
Have the times changed? Is there
less shipping in the harbor now than
then? Is there not more? Are there
not more and bigger ships now than
then. and is not business increasing?
And ought not every inducement be
offered in that behalf?
We come. then. 10 the Harbor Board,
composed, as it is. of representative
men, to put the case before them in the
light of precedent and in the words of
Il former board, that none respects more
than they. both in judgment and good
intent. Leaving aside entirely the
protests of the hundreds of people who
have spoken in these columns, above
and beyond any argument that has
been produced, let the voices OF the
past remind us that we are making
history; that in n few years the un-
CHASTITY ghosts to condemn, or like
ministering angels TO bless. the sacred
legacy of Il fragrant memory.
Look to the future and to the past.
The world is small and time is fleet
ing. Our acts, whether With good or
bad Judgment or intent, will live. Let
it be said of this board that, against
the most powerful influence ever
brought TO bear upon q public body,
there went down into It's records a
minute, which is a fit companion and
sequel to that engrafted there by an
able, admired and respected prcdeces-
sor.
AS the representa- tivcs of the people.
the Board OF Harbor Commissioners.
we look TO with an abiding faith. The
most powerful influence has not hur-
ried you into hasty action. Give the
Norfolk and Western MS many Shorici
piers as 1t wants, and help it 10 build
them if necessary: but in the name OF
the sacred trust that has been rcposed
in you by conndng people, do not
let the Norfolk ana Western stop ur
the channel with another long pier fol
the sake of SdUimg TO itself a fc,c MoHsGne
dollars In dredging ana operating. The
Norfolk and Western and Col. William
Lamb say that no damage will be done
the harbor, but we would prefer talk
ing the Judgment OF the Reed Harbol
Board, and confidently believe that you
yvill