Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1901-11-19

is SURPRISED
AT the Situation here Regarding
the Franchise.
Former Leading Citizen who now
Resides In a Distant City Elves his
Opinion Very Vigorously on the Sub
ject.

The street car question that has
been discussed so much for some time
past IL seems won't down. Our course
in the matter is being watched with
great deal Of interest by people who
We're once residents Of Morgantown
and VINO have our progress and well
fare at heart. Below is a sample OF
number of letters we have received on
the subject from time to time. The
writer of it Is we'll known TO many OF
our older citizens and is a careful con-
sentative man. In a letter received
from him this morning after dispos-
ing of some pers )nal and business
matters be fired off the following in
reference TO the proposed street car
ordinance:
ii noticed in your paper of few
days ago that the franchise for the
street railway, has not as yet been
granted. don't understand why the
council should take the position they
do. There must be some outside in
fluence that makes them take this
stand.
hChS 10 III UIldu uIlG CITY
could get that would be any more
beneficial than Street Railway. 1t
would open and develop the country
for miles around, TO say nothing of
the convenience and enhance the
value Of property. | know Of several
communities who have paid a bonus
and also bought Rights Of Way, which
they donated to the railroad company
If they would build and operate
Street Car Line. Now this is just the
opposite Of what your people want to
do. | am satisfied that II some for
eign corporation bad come to your
town and asked for this privilege, it
would have been gladly given, but 1t
seems strange that when body OF
your own citizens asks for this, they
are refused or turned down. These
people ds you well know, have done
more than any other six or say twenty
six people in Morgantown 10 make
the City what It Is. Their money
has gone into every enterprise and
several Of them have not paid one
cent in dividends and Others ouly
after several years.
Il would take great deal Of cap
ital to build this railroad and it would
be many years before there would be
any returns to the parties putting up
their money. | am aware that no
other men contributed so much to-
wards the development OF the town as
they have, excepting yourself, who
was liberal IN devoting space In your
paper without any direct compensa-
tion. | don't know even II this is APP
preciated by most OF the people who
have opposed this franchise
81 understand there are number
OF people who are opposed to granting
this company this franchise, who
never contributed one cent directly or
indirectly to anything Of this kind,
and if.it depended upon them John
Edwards (colored) would be still in
business.
of you would publish list and
the books could be open OF the b. Il /.
Co., it would show the people who
had contributed the money to this
enterprise which created all others
and they have never received as yet
one cent in return.
Il never knew Of community who
were less appreciatiye of their public
spirited citizens than Morgantown.
in an article in your paper some
time ago one OF your prominent citi
zens compared the franchise secured
in Philadelphia with your little city.
This is ridiculous on its face and | am
positive his native city never gave any
railroad franchise free.
"Had not these same people refer
red to above besides contributing
their money in stock to the B, & l.
Co., bought the lots and paid cash
for them, where would the town be
today? / know Of a number of these
kickers who bought lots, but never
paid for them and Others still owe
part
These people who apply for this
franchise put their money and brains
into making your town what it is and
are willing in the future to do as we'll
If not better. There are several
things in view that you are not aware
Of, that would develop after this rail-
road is started, among these things
are large park which would be free
to everybody besides fine summer
hotel.
II don't want to take your time any
longer on this subject, but / am sur
prised that you did not take more OF
a stand favoring this matter and tell
ing the people what they ought to do.
II myself as one Of the stockhold-
ers of this enterprise would refuse to
do anything further in this matter
and Withdraw the application en-
tirely.
mo doubt had we started out and
asked the citizens to give US bonus
then there might have been a chance
for opposition but as 1t Is, they are
making mistake which they will re-
greet at some future day?"
Yours very sincerely -