Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-09-12
TO PAVE QUEEN STREET.
ACTION DECIDED BY THE COUNCIL
MEETIsG THURSDAY NIGHT.
Aldrrmsn Push Matter la Lively style
and Consider Several Questions
Of Importance.

Mayor Evans in the chair and present
the following councilmep: Thompson,
Schill. Hooge, Emmert. Kline, Barry,
Staublv.
After the minutes Of the previous
meeting mad been approved, Rev.
William Gerhardt was given the floor,
and made statement regarding All
ipjurv sustained by Mrs Gertnardt
several weeks ago Mrs. Gerhardt
fell down an open stairway on the
south side of The Martin hotel and
as result of the injury suffered great
pain and was put to considerable ea-
pepse. Mr. Gehardt claimed that the
responsibility rested either with the
hotel projectors. for maintaining a
dangerous place, or with the city, for
permitting such place to exist. He
asked that he be reimbursed for the
expense at least. The matter was re-
ferred to committee for investiga-
ton.
Mr.. J. B. Fisher was gnext heard.
He asked for a grade for sidewalk
and gutter in front of his house on
Charles street, and wanted the council
to establish the grade for the rest of
the property owners on that side of
the square as well. so that they could
construct cutters ana sidewalks if the
city determined to have the work
| done. The matter was referred to the
tTeet committee with power to act.
The street committee reported that
the contract for removing garbage had
been closed, as detailed in The Even
ing World of severalsdays ago.
The street committee also reported
favorably upon the petition Of the
property owners on Queen street be-
| tween Burke and the square for a
pavement on that street. This was the
petition placed before the council at
its last meeting by Mr.. Poole. 1t had
| been signed bv every property holder
on the square with the exception of
| the owners of the Everitt house, and
it was understood that their tacit con-
sent had been gained. The street COM
mittee was willing to 90 ahead under
the terms of this petition, and it is
believed that the members of the coun-
Gil would have acted favorab.y upon
the recommendation.
Before any action could be taken,
however, communication was read
from several property owners (who
had already signed the original petit
tom stating that thew did not want
the pavement laid exrept under certain
conditions, which conditions were
en-. bodied in their communication.
| The conditions were such as TO make
council. Among other things the
signers wanted a sewage system es-
| tablisaed ou III; square, a grade and
| building line for a square or two in
both directions. guarantees, immun-
tiles, projections, privileges. etc. The
conditions were so manitestly impos-
sible OF acceptance that expressions of
| impatience were freely indulged in
by the members of the council. In
effect it killed the proposition submit
ted by Mr.. Poole.
But the members of the council were
not willing that the question should
| be dropped so section of an ordi-
nance was uncovered which empower
ed the city to go ahead and construct
the pavement and assess the whole cost
against the property owners, A motion
was made that the city consult an at
tornev. and if the law isToperative,
then the city is to 30 ahead and con-
struct the pavement and compel the
property owners to bear the whole ex-
pense. This motion was carried with
but one dissenting vote. The matter
will now be investigated and if the
proposition is legal one. thatssquare
will be paved and the property owners
will pay the whole cost, instead OF
| two thirds, as at first proposed
The street committee reported that
an agreement had been reached with
the owners of the lots on Stephen
street, whereby tie city acquires the
title to two lots and the street for the
sum of $500. That street is now to be
opened and repaired from Raleigh TO
Winchester avenue.
| 1t was ordered that an arc light be
placed at the corner of Virginia ave-
nue. and South street. in place OF the
one removed some months ago.
The question of repairing the clock
in the market house was brought up
and discussed at some length. 1t was
finally decided to refer the matter TO
the proper committee, with power to
go ahead and ascertain what could be
done. The committee will see the
lodges in the building and find out