PAVING IN FRONT OF STATE PROPERTY.
Mr. MARVIN offered the following:
Whereas, There is an ordinance pending in the Common Council of the City of Indianapolis for the improvement of Meridan street in said city with wooden blocks; and
Whereas, The State is largely interested in the improvement of said street; and
Whereas, Petitions and remonstrances are being circulated among the owners of property on said street for and against sai proposed improvements; therefore
Resolved, By the Senate, the House concurring, that the General Assembly of the State is opposed to the improvement of said street, with any kind of wooden blocks.
Mr. MARVIN remembered several years ago the State was called upon to pay her share of paving that street. Good, clean, gravel or paving stone is much better than wooden blocks, which it is now proposed to pave that street with, and it would cost the State some $2,000 less. He desired immediate action, because this motion comes before the Common Council of the City of Indianapolis to-night.
Mr. CHAPMAN said it was sufficient to say the city can not compel the State to pay for this paving if she does not want to. He asked that the State take no part in this controversy.
Mr. VAN VORHIS was compelled to differ with his colleague again. There were petitions and remonstrances being circulated for and against the the proposed improvement of Meridan street with wooden blocks, and there is a good deal of feeling on this matter. The State is interested to the extent of 1,000 or 1,200 feet, and it is proper the General Assembly should express itself squarely one way or the other on this question. It is a question of considerable expense--probably not less than $2,500 or $4,000 on the part of the State.
Mr. SPANN opposed the resolution. It would be a mere matter of generosity on the part of the State to pay after the work is done. This General Assembly has no right in advance to determine what kind of improvement shall be made on the streets of Indianapolis by the Common Council.
On motion by Mr. BROWN, the resolution was referred to the special session.
