The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-05
HEARD DEB A
ON anne \ | 4. E J !! | ! [.
Proposition TO Extend Ports.
mouth Territory.
The NORFOLK BRIDGE u c BILLS IL.
Speeches Made. But No Conclusion Is Reached:
News and Gossip Of the General
AssembIy-capItol
Notes.
The NORFOLK BRIDGE BILLS.


arguments for and against the proposed
annexation OF 3 territory covering about
five square miles, and now situated IN
Norfolk county, to the city Of Portsmouth.
This area lies to the west and northwest
Of the city OF Portsmouth.
Another bill provides for the anneAa-
ton of an area to the north and north
vest OF Portsmouth and the area covered
Ly the first bill, which is now known as
Timers FONT and Port Norfolk. The
area covered by the first bill is to be di-
Nided into two wards to be known as the
Sixth and Seventh Wards. Primers Point
and Port Norfolk will become the Eighth
Ward Of Portsmouth.
Portsmouth now has a population OF
1:.40O and an area of one and a third
square miles. The territory proposed by
the two bills for annexation has an area
OF five square miles and q population of
between 5000 and 1900. With the an
1.cxed territory the area of Portsmouth
would be a little larger than the present
area of Richmond.
The new wards shall not be liable for
the principal or interest of the Ports
mouth city debt for a period of twenty
years The present Norfolk county tax
is so cents on 500. For five years the
tax rate in the proposed wards shall be
IS cents on the 500. Then for twenty
years the tax shall be increased cents
on S100 every wear until at the end
Of twenty-five years the rate will be sl.1o
on the 500, the present Portsmouth city
rate. Tie State tax rate is DO cents On
S10c, making the present tax rate in
Portsmouth, $2.15 and in Norfolk county
$3.50.
The real estate assessed valuation Of the
territory proposed for annexation is put
at 81, 1861 oO. while that of all Of Norfolk
county, which has a population OF oo,6Oo, is
about S12, t00,C10
The fight for annexation was conducted
by Mr.. j. II. Lawless and the anti-an-
nexationists were led by Colonel r. c.
Marshall. The Portsmouth, Tity Council
had acted with carnestness and emphasis
in favor of the scheme and it's represen-
tatives were heard at length last night
Both sides had large and enthusiastic
delegations, and the hall of tt House
Of Delegates was well filled with those
in favor or against annexation. The Nor
fox county anti-anneXationists and there
were forty or more Of them. wore a yell
low badge, on which was printed i'll large
black letters: 1--WE are happy as we are"
The enthusiasm Of the annexationists can
be gathered from the confident prediction
Of an ardent Portsmouth man in the lob
by that by 1907 Norfolk, Portsmouth and
Berkeley and the surrounding territory
would be joined into one greater city to
bear the name Of New jamestown IN
honor Of the Ter-Centenary, which No
folk proposes to celebrate with an En-
position. go
Messrs. Charles T. Bland, John L. Wat
son. J. r.. Van Patton, l.. c. Beniston
Theodoric Wool, J. w. Happier, l.. e
Schlater and J. T. Lawless argued for
annexation, and NIessrs. William KUN
Bile, j. f. Parker, John Moore w. a.
Glasgow and r. C. Marshall the OPPOSE
ton.
Al the conclusion of the hearing the
committee adjourned to hold an execu-
five session for final consideration and
action on the bills at 10 o'clock this morn
ing.
The Senate Committee on Roads and
Internal Navigation heard yesterday at
ternoon at length from those in favor OF
and opposed to the construction OF
bridge between Norfolk and Berkeley. The
champions of these measures and also
of bills for Norfolk-Berkley tunnel and
for additional ferry facilities between
these communities are still to be heard.
One of the other bridge schemes is
hacked bv the Norfolk Street Railway
and Light Company.
No action was taken by the committee
yesterday afternoon. After hearing the
matter discussed for two hours and
half the committee adjourned, to have
another hearing this morning at 10
o'clock.
Mr. Sale at this session Of the Legisla-
ture introduced in the Senate a bill in
cooperating the Norfolk and Berl1ley
Bridge Company" The promoters of
this company argue that the proper facil.
tiles for communication between the two
communities will be best secured by
bridge at the foot of Main Street, in Nor
folk. This bridge would be about 1850
feet further down the river than the
present Norfolk and Western bridge
MR.. SCHULTICE SPEAKS.
Mr.. Robert w. Schultice was the first
sneaker. He told of the need Of a bridge
at the foot of Main Street to provide the
proper facilities to the business centers
Of the two communities. The river is
tere $50 feet wide. Mr.. Schultice thought
| that a bridge here would not interfere
With navigation as a 105-foot draw would
| be provided.
Mr.. II. P. Goodridge represented the
| Wholesale Grocers' Association in an lr-
gent petition for a convenient bridge.
The Norfolk Freight and Transportation
| Eureau thought the Main-Street location
| the proper one.
Mr.. William AZ Glasgow, representing
tie Norfolk and Western Railroad, ar
| gned against the proposition to build
t4'idge at Main Street. This location, he
thought, would mean the confiscation of
the company,s harbor properties above
| Tic proposed location 1t would be i'm
possible to have the same facilities for
handling large ships up to it's grain ele-
vator and wl,arves through a draw
| 81 idSe.
Mr. William Finch, freight agent of
the Norfolk and Western, ard CAPTAIN
i. w. McCarrick. Southern agent OF the
Clyde Line, arg.led against the bridge,
! -aptain John w. Haprer. of Ports
mouth, presented the protest Of the cit
liens OF that community against the
| proposed bridge. The protection of the
harbor and the obligation to the ferry
lessecs We're points Captain Happier dwelt
| q, with earnesness.
Judge Wilcox, of Norfolk, spoke In
/ opposition to the proposed bridge. as the
representative OF the Charles Reid es-
1 tate.
The cornmttee adjourned until 10 o'clock
| to-day.
..The tendency of things down our way
| is toward eSDanSiOn.5 a nd 11ltima I civ IT