Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1902-01-17
No Cause for Action"

against vacation of Washington street,
between Sixth and Seventh, which
came up at special meeting of the
City Council, Tuesday night, did not
amount to much, and after an inter.
change OF opinions, there did not seem
to be much doubt as to the action OF
the city, when the time comes for NOV
ing Understandings.
J. w. Robinson, attorney for Messrs.
Mottman, Reed and Bowling, the pro-
testants, made the usual claim in such
cases, that his clients would be ire
trievably damaged by the contemplated
action, unless healing salve in the
shape of damages was applied before
the wound had sunk deep into the
flesh. He claimed that the street rail-
road had closed Main street to country
teams that were invariably scared by
the horseless carriage; that Washing
ton street had, in consequence, become
a thoroughfare OF commerce, and that
to divert farm wagons to a roundabout
course would be to filter trade ON to
Fourth street, to the loss of his clients
ON Fifth and Sixth streets. He did
not state, however, what would be
done with the cars on Fourth street, or
show that they will not be so much
of menace on that street as on Main.
He claimed that before the city could
proceed to close Washington street, for
the single block fronting the capitol,
that it would be necessary to estimate
the damage done to his clients and
pay IL. which assumption carried with
it the broad claim that property which
could not be sold for the tax.liens
upon it before the capitol had been
anchored by purchase of and adapting
the courthouse for State purposes, and
now had Q fixed and intrinsic value
based upon the confidence felt that
the "vexed question" of capital loca-
ton has been settled for all time, had
sustained palpable damage instead
of great benefit. In any estimation
of damages, of course benefits will be
considered, and that the latter far over
balance the former is so evident .
proposition, that the contention seems
to be 80 rank in absurdity as to owe
its origin more to q retaining fec than
claim for justice.
Mr.. Richardson, At the close of the
attorneys remarks, vigorously opposed
any suggestion OF reputation of the
pledge made by the city, among other
details 70 vacate the street, q sugges-
ton which, at the time, met with ap-
parently universal approval, and GER
tainly not whisper of dissent. and he
proposed to stand by the agreement.
He made . motion that the Council
take preliminary steps for vacation,
which was after further consideration
temporarily Withdrawn.
Mr.. Price thought that the time had
not yet came for action. That it was
understood the State would adopt .
plan for identifying the capital
grounds, which would not close it to
light traffic, and that might in large
degree mitigate the only damage pos
sible to be sustained by professionals.
The Mayor agreed with the Council
men. and said that the Governor had
intimated that plan might probably
be adopted that would be acceptable
to all parties at interest.
So the matter was left over for fur.
Their action, and it seemed, when the
Council adjourned, a. if the advocate
had again been terribly wrenehed by
kick against nothin'."
4V~