The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-04

Il can seriously be questioned whether
In the last thirty years Richmond has
made any very notable forward strides in
the matter OF the enactment Of legisla-
ton in relation TO street railways
In view of the interest and attention
given 20 franchises for enterprises of
this character of late. the first general
municipal legislation upon this subject
is a matter peculiarly worthy of note.
So far back as 1869 Richmond had thor
ouchly considered street railways IN their
relation to the city. Chapter 80 of the
city ordinances of that year is a general
ordinance. laying down what is TO be
expected Of street railways doing bust
ness in Richmond. 1t is a simple and
ingenious discussion of the subject. with
out relation to any particular company
or interest In the light of the develop
rnents of thirty three years this general
ordinance which makes soma seven print
ed pages. makes interesting reading
The ordinance launches into the sub
feet with the declaration that contracts
for the privilege of running railway pas
seneer cars ON the streets Of the city of
Ricmhond shall be subject TO the follow
ing terms, provisions. restrictions and
linlfta tions:
Then follow paragraphs. setting forth
that the streets to be used are to be
specifically named in the contracts grant
cd, changes Of route are only to be made
with the consent of the Council, and the
construction is 10 be of a character That
the CITY Engineer will approve.
The fourth paragraph contains the fol-
lowing interesting provision: The gauge
or said railway tracks shall be the same
as that OF the ordinary street carriages
In use in the city of Richmond, IN order
to admit OF the passage oil sucf carriages
;lpon the tramplate of SAID railway.
Vehicles must get out Of the way of the
c.rs ana also must keep to the right in
passing a car, or else pay the city a
fine CT IS.
II, this. the earliest city legislation upon
the subject before the city iaWslaheis
had pronted by experience. many pflh-
ciples are admirably stated IL may pe
questioned whether some parts OF 1his
paragraph upon the city securlhs .ne
nroperty BY condemnation at the eNpira-
ton OF the franchise could be improved
anon in the light of thirty-three years
experience:
In the event Of the expiration of a
contract, il it IS not renewed by the citS'
1.-The Council shall have the right TO take
and shall take the railways ana fNtutes
thereto lying within the city. ana the
lots and buildings thereon, and appur-
tenances owned by said company or cor
pora.,on. and used and held as a part OF
it's capital. and the cars of said com
pany or corporation used upon Its rail-
ways in the city: and the price TO be
paid therefor shall be fixed by arbitra-
tors, one OF whom shall be appointed by
the Council and the other shall be ap-
pointed By the said company OF corpora
ton. ard Il they shall fail to agree by
an umpire mutually agreed upon by
them
sand in fixing the price Of the said
property the same shall be valued as
property. TO be used for the purpose for
which # was provided and in fits then
place and condition; but the value of the
privilege OF running passenger cars in
the streets of the city shall not be esti-
mated as a part OF the value of said
property.
And the last sentence OF this paragraph
was written Just thirty-three years be-
fcre the very clear and complete state