Mexico weekly ledger., 1906-06-28

4 IL ~ = -@
The people Of Clarke avenue are In
Ia constant state OF hindrance in their
travel to the business part Of the city
tosay nothing the annoyance and In
~couyenience to the whole people in
an effort to enjoy Hardin Park, the
gift to the public BY the late lament
ed Governor Hardin. and which is the
only place for free public resort Of the
people In the city.
The north approach to this bridge
nov extends across Liberty Street
land is so abrupt that IL Is impossible
lof US. by a loaded wagon. and largely
useless By any vehicle. The only
practical solution Of this question is
the lowering OF that bridge for the
reason that a further extension OF the
approaches along Clark Avenue In or
der to render the approach more
gradual involves the question OF dam
age to AUDITING property owners.
The railroad companies are under
contract to maintain this bridge, and
that 1t should be so maintained, as to
subserve the greatest public interest
goes without saying. In coming into
The City as they do and therefore
within the Jurisdiction OF the city and
Its regulation and control, the author
titles should In my opinion take adj
vantage Of this situation to derive
some advantage OF its citizens In re-
turn for this donation or real estate,
which is OF much value to the railroad
company.
The bridge is twenty-one feet and
eight inches high at the south end,
twenty-five feet at the north, a box.
car thirteen and a half feet high, and
that the bridge can be lowered there
is no question.
/ have made some Investigations OF
the height OF bridges over railroads
and find that In Chicago, st. Louis
and Kansas City such overhead bridges
are generally maintained at an aver
age OF about sixteen feet above the
tracks, and In some cases lower.
For thirty-fVe years, before the
erection of the present structure, this
bridge was maintained at a height OF
about seventeen feet. That was in
the days of hand breaking when en-
ployes were required upon the top OF
the cars more or less. Since that the
Federal laws require the automatic
air brake, the hand brake is discarded
and the presence of men on top OF the
cars is no longer the rule.
On my own account as a public off,
clal OF the City and aiming to subserve
the public interests, l have taken this
matter up with some Of the officials OF
the railroad and believe with a united
support Of the City Council in this be-
half, we will yet be able TO secure a low
erlng OF this bridge and many event
some compensation for a release Of
the cityis right to this real estate so
much desired by the railroad CON-
pauy.
49, In refusing my signature TO
this ordinance, / have not done SO in
any spirit OF antagOmlsm OF this City
Council, or any member OF it, but sim
ply acting as l believe to be my duty
in the interests OF those who have en-
trusted me with their affairs, fully re-
cognizlpg that In passing this ordin-
ance you too have been controlled by
the same spirit Of faithful and patrio-
tic duty.
Now, | want to say In this connec-
tion that | have no feeling whatever
towards the Chicago 8 Alton Rail-
road, or any other railroad. | would
like TO subserye the interest OF my
people as near as possible.
In conclusion. ! will ask a personal
favor OF the Council In the interest OF
the proper settlement OF this question
that is, not to take any further ac-
tion on this matter tonight. There
is plenty OF time, and you have until
the next regular meeting to pass on
this ordinance, and being, as it is, OF
vast Importance TO this city. | believe
you will agree with me that IL deser-
yes your careful attention. There is
one thing of which | am thoroughly
convinced, II this ordinance becomes a
law at this time, your children's child
rem win eve live to see that Clark
Avenue bridge made useful to the
people Of Mexico.
L d. GRAHAM.
Mayor.
On motion of Mr.. Marshall second
ed by Mr.. Heller, the matter was
taken up and passed over the Mayors
veto.
On motion of MI. Potts, the old trees
on Love street by Coatsworth's Lum-
Der yard were ordered removed and
the street improved.
The question Of salary to be paid to
the man in charge Of the Fire team
and engine house, was left open.
The council then adjourned to
meet Monday July second at 7:30
O'Clock.