Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-09-22

nlgnI ITe6luenL florence m the cnaff.
The minutes of the previous evening were
read and approved.
Mr.. Weasner presented resolution, in
struoting the Mayor TO stop the running Of
cars on the Pendleton and Fifth-street Mar
ket-space Railroad, until the company COM
ply with the provisions of the general
railroad ordinance, requiring the companies
TO purchase the omnibus stock on the route.
Mr.. Hirst moved its reference to the Com
mittee on Roads and Canals. Lost.
Mr.. Mack moved to lay it on the table.
Lost.
Mr.. Toohy said that the street railroad did
not run on much of the omnibus route, and
the company should not be compelled to
purchase the whole oft.
Mr. Eggleston said that, whether the reso-
luton was passed OF not, the Mayor was
bound to enforce the provisions of the law.
But as the resolution was offered, let it be
passed. If the omnibus and railroad COM
panies could not agree upon the price, let the
matter be arbitrated. The omnibus COM
panies had ceased to oppose railroads, in
consideration that they should be bought out,
and now let them act in good faith.
Mr.. Perry would vote for the resolution,
but he believed it was not the best thing
that could be done.
Mr.. Snodgrass thought that the railroad
did interfere with the omniSuses and
they ought to be madl to purchase the
stock.
The resolution was then passed.
Mr.. Noble offered a resolution appropria-
ting $4,000 for the fencing of the City Lot,
which, after some discussion, was adopted.
Mr.. Hirst called for the special order, being
the report of the Committee on Roads and
Canals, in favor of the abolition of the per-
capita tax on passengers riding on the street
cars.
The Council then went into Committee of
the Whole Mr.. Noble in the Chair.
Mr.. Hirst wanted to see the matter def
nitely settled; he wanted to see the ordinance
adopted
Mr. Weasner had been an original rail-
! road man. But in the per-cdpitd question,
/ at least $l00,000,0 900 was at stake, and the
! question was, shall the city have it, or the
railroad2 He was not willing that the rail-
road should have it. He believed in the
sacredness of contracts. Whoever makes a
bargain let them live up to it. He then re-
viewed the history of the railroad grants,
and said that the per-cdpita tax was the re-
suit of a rivalry between home and foreign
companies. He had now changed his mind
on the subject of railroads they were nui-
sances to all except footmen. The railroad
companies could never induce the people to
consent to the repeal of the per-capita tax
They had used the press and patronage for
that purpose but if any member voted for
it, they would find that there would be a
day of reckoning. He was in favor of re-
pealing the clauses requiring the companies
to purchase Omnibuses and to bowlder the
streets, but he would go no farther.
Mr.. Marsh wanted a debate, and wanted
to hear from gentleman of the committee
Mr.. Hirst said that when those opposed to
the abolition of the per-cdpita tax had an
swered the arguments of the report, it would
be time enough to present others. He ther
corrected some errors of Mr.. Weasner ant
said that Councilmen should act Justly, ant
without regard to whether they would b.
candidates for Mayor or any other office, o.
retire to private life.
Mr.. Moore was in favor of the ordinance
Much had been said of the interests of prop
erty-holders Others had interests as vel
as property-holders. The laboring-mau aut
woman should be permitted to ride. Team
sters had kept possession of the road 81
long, that they thought they had right t,
it. With reference to losses in railroad in
vestments heretofore the city was built u
: by the roads, and we were benefited eve
five lost all the stocks. The ordinance pro
posed to reduce the fare forty per cent.-cer
tainly an advantage to poor man. In orde
to do this fully, he moved to amend, by re
: quiring the companies to sell eight ticket
5 for twenty-five cents
Mr.. Eggleston made speech in opposition
to the ordinance.
Mr.. Noble said that he had originally op
posed railroads, because he believed the
, would be injurious. But the roads are no.
in existence, and the only question now i
4 are the companies doing the best they cal
. under the circumstances He said that if I'll
l report of the committee were adopted, muc
of the prejudices against the roads would
7 removed. The only objection now again
= them is made by the teamsters; that coul
ba nbuio tod hxrH Han fha Of
= track, as proposed by the ordinance. The
did not interfere with the business men X
Gated on the track. The ordinance propose
> to take off the Per-cdpitG for the benefit
n the people. Men who ride in the cars al
taxed for the privilege-an unjust provision
e wholly intended to benefit the rich. Prof.
o erty should pay the expenses of governmen
and not labor. In looking over the tax-lis
e he finds $4,000 assessed to Mr.. Eggestol
: Should the man who works for q dollar
day pay cent for every ride he takes,
o save a few dollars to him2 He dare not az
T. vocate such proposition.
Mr.. Marsh said the poor people always ha
g paid the tax, and they always would; ther
fore, he thought they ought to do it in IL
shape of a poll-tax. Every man tn
g has head ought to pay it.
% Mr.. Won Seggern rose to point of ord
while Mr.. Mack was speaking, he havir
= occupied the time allowed by the rules.
3 Mr. Mack took his seat, and Mr.. Ola
moved that the committee rise, which W
n carried.
l. The report of the committee was then 9
~ cepted, whereupon Mr.. Eggleston moved
4 lay the whole matter on the table. Lost
N ayes, IA; nays, l6.
Ii Mr.. Glass moved the previous qu
,s ton, thinking the question was on {
~ passage of the ordinance, but on Learnt
y that be was mistaken, withdrew his motto
Mr.. Noble then moved to make the orr
nance the special order for next Wedne
day, but withdrew it to allow Mr.. Whitcor
to say that, in the first place, he was far frC
being in favor of taking off the per-cdp
tax. He wanted to look at the case in a f
and honorable manner. He was opposed
paying portion of the taxes of rich mi
A hEvery time" said he, "you contribute yc
e. one cent to the city, as a passenger on
N street-cars, you are paying so much towi
IN paying the taxes of Nicholas Longworth
~ twice a millionaire" The tax-duDlic
N shows this, and he had the proof. If
a owned two or three houses, and rented the
Re- he would yote to retain the per-edpitd.
a. mechanics would ride in any event, but
IN they could get tickets in half dollar packa
NJ they would ride oftener.
II Mr.. Won Seggern rose TO his point oford
r Mr.. Whitcomb took his seat, and
n Hirst moved to adjourn. Lost--ayes,
ly nays, 10.
lis Mr.. Whitson spoke to Mr.. Moore's amer
r. ment to sell eight tickets for tWenty-I