Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1904-04-20
TROLLEY IN HANDS OF COMMITTEE.
Will Report at the Meeting of the Council Fri.
day Evening Surveyors Complete Route
Through Smyrna as Far as Clayton.


At meeting of the Smyrna Town
Council last Friday evening Messrs.
John G. Stockly, H. B. Grieves and
John P. Hudson were appointed a
committee to look into the proposition
of The Peninsula Railway Company,
who ask for a right of way through
Main and Commerce streets, Smyrna.
The said committee were instructed to
consider carefully their plans and spec
ltications for the best interests Of the
town, and to make their report to the
Council at their regular meeting on
Friday evening. There was much
discussion on the trolley subject at
the meeting Friday evening and each
member present seemed enthusiastic
over the prospect of trolley line, vet
none wanted to grant away absolute
rights and privileges and get nothing
IN return. The matter of railway con-
structiOn, width of tracks, grade of
streets, and how and where they were
to be macadamized, what restrictions
should be made and the fixing of a
limit to the fares to be charged, were
all questions of serious moment.
Some OF the members would have had
the matter settled promptly without
delay, and others who are more con-
servatlve wanted to go slow and sure
and do nothing that they might have
occasion to regret afterwards. Most
OF the debate was between Council
man StOckly and Councilman. Robin
son; the former made motion that a
committee of three be appointed to
consider the proposition of the Trolley
Company carefully and in detail and
report to the Council Friday evening.
A lively debate ensued as to what
would be the best course to pursue
and several amendments were offered,
but none seconded. Mr.. Robinson
did not think the Board had ANYTHING
definite to act upon and opposed the
naming of the committee, believing il
would be better to consult an attorney
and have the contract between the
Trolley Company and the Town
properly drawn up and then the
Council would have something to con.
slider. Mr.. Stockly defended his mo.
ton by saying that it was advisable
first for the Council to know and be
sure what they wanted and then have
an attorney, if necessary, to put it lin
its final and legal form. The commit
tee work could be done closely and
effectively and the Council could
add to or take from and make such
other changes to the committee re-
port before it's final adoption. The
majority of the members favored re-.
tanning lawyer and after much dis
cussion Mr.. Stockly's motion was
carried, Mr.. Robinson being the only
member dissenting. It was DEVELOPED
that The Peninsula Railway was not
incorporated and the question was
raised as to whether the Council could
consider its proposition under the
circumstances, but Mr.. Grieves stated
that the Company had papers drawn
and were only waiting to get the right
of way along the edtire route before
complying with the conditions and
paying the $4,000 forfeit money at
Dover. Trolley enthusiasm is con-
tagious in Smyrna. A lengthy petition
has been signed by bus mess men and
citizens asking the Council to grant
the Company right of way. There
seems to be a general desire for its
early construction. The surveyors
reached Smyrna yesterday and com
pleted route as far as Clayton to-day.
FINE SPECIMENS DELAWARE RIVER SHAD