Austin Rails: 1889 Railway Right-of-Way Dispute
• Railway expansion approved: The City Council voted to pass an ordinance granting the Houston and Texas Central Railway Company rights to lay track through Austin, despite local opposition.
• Neighborhood objection: Residents and property owners from the Tenth Ward submitted a formal petition against the ordinance, raising concerns about the railway's impact on their community.
• Public input allowed: Council members voted to invite citizens to speak and share their concerns about the railway project before the final vote.
• Close attendance: Only 11 of 20 aldermen attended the evening meeting, with 9 members absent when the vote took place.
Full Transcript
520
Minutes of a Called Meeting of the City Council.
Austin, Texas, Oct. 14, 1889. Hon. W. B. Wortham, President of the Board of Roll Aldermen, Presiding. Roll Call - Present - Aldermen Assmann, Boland, Debress, Abraham, Linn, Motz, Morris, Pillow, Platt, Wilson, Wortham - 11. Call. Absent, Aldermen - Haigler, Jones, Lawrence, Newton, Nutschke, North, Schneider, Townsend, Ziller - 9. The following Call was read: Austin, Oct. 14, 1889. The Call To the members of the City Council: Gentlemen:- You are hereby requested to assemble at the City Hall at 8 oclock, p.m., October 14, 1889, to take such action on an Ordinance amending Section two (2) of an Ordinance entitled, An Ordinance granting the right of way to the Houston and Texas Central Railway Company, and to repeal an Ordinance entitled, An Ordinance amending articles 487(1) 488(2) 489(3) of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Austin, approved January 12, 1881, approved October 4, 1881, as the Council may deem proper. C. A. Motz J. P. Schneider, B. S. Pillow. 3rd. The above named ordinance was then read Read. a third time, after which Alderman Pillow Petition. introduced by request a petition from Citizens and property owners of the Tenth ward protesting against the passage of the ordinance. Alderman Linn moved that any citizen present be invited to present his views concerning the ordinance. Carried. Ald. Schneider. Alderman Schneider entered and answered to his name. Alderman Morris moved a Call of the Council. Adopted Alderman Pillow moved to suspend the Call. Carried. Passes. Alderman Debress then moved that the Ordinance now pass. Carried. On motion the Council then adjourned - Milton Morris, City Clerk.