Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-12-19
Per. Capita in tIre, ssixth Ward Cltizeni
Meeting,

Per- Capita in -tlre fsixth Vnrd-Cltizens'
Meeting.
In accordance with an anonymous call in
the morning papers, about forty citizens of
the Sixth Ward assembled at Stringer's
shop, corner of Park and Oolumbia-streets,
last night, to consider the per-cdpita ques-
tion, and the action of Messrs. Noble and
Hawkins with reference to the subject
On motion, r. A. johnson was called to
the Chair, and Z. W. Wheelock appointed
Secretary.
The call for the meeting was then read,
and the authors requested to come forward
and make any charges against Messrs Noble
and Hawkins which they see proper. To
this, however, no one responded. A motion
to that effect was put and carried, but still
there was no response. .y.t,
A committee, consisting of Messrs. J. NJ.
Kelley, J. b. Maloy, r. r. Quinn, Samuel
Froom and James Hacket was appointed to
draft resolutions, and in the interim Oliver
Brown was called upon, and made Demo-
cratic speech, advocating the election of
Stephen A. Douglas to the Presidency.
The committee, after long consultation,
failed to agree, and two reports were pre-
sented. The majority report was signed by
Messrs. Kelley, Quinn and Froom, and was
as follows: ..,, ..a. .----
"WHEREAs Messrs. John Hawkins and ].
NJ. Noble, representatives of this ward in the
City Council, did, on Wednesday evening
last at meeting of said City Council, vote
for the abrogation of the contract, now in
existence between the city and the street.
railroad companies and whereas, we, their
constituents, claiming for ourselves, at all
times and upon all proper occasions, the right
to instruct our representatives in Council, or
any where else, to shape their course upon
all important questions in a manner that we
deem best and most calculated to promote
our interest," now, therefore, be it
"ReSoJUed: That the ordinance now pend
ing before Council, having for its object the
release of the street-railroad companies from
| that portion of their agreement with the city,
and popularity known as the per-cdpitd tax,
| is contrary to our views as to the sacredness
| of contracts and detrimental to our interests
as citizens, depriving the city of large and
increasing revenue, and an encouragement
| of the breach of solemn engagements.
| "ReSOlVsd: That our Oouncilmen are here,
| by instructed to vote against all ordinances
or resolutions looking at the remission Of
the per-cdpita tax, and that they are expected
| to use all honorable means to compel the
| companies to live up to all of the obligations
that they have heretofore or may hereafter
enter into with the city.
"Resolved; That upon all the matters o.
ordinary legislation within the province o.
the City Council, the course of Messrs. Noble
|
approval"
The minority report, signed by Messrs.
Maloy and Hacket, was as follows:
| WHEREAS: By an anonymous advertise
ment in the daily papers, meeting has beer
called in the Sixth Ward for the purpose
as is set forth-of instructing our Trustees
in the City Council regarding their duty
therefore, be it
"ResolUed: That the call above referred Il
has been issued without any responsible au
thority; and be it
"ResolVed: That we, the citizens of tn
Sixth Ward, relying on the well-knowI
fidelity of our Couneilmen-Messrs. ]. M
Noble and John Hawkins-have full conf
dence in them as our representatives in tn
City Council, and believe that any instruc
tions to them at this time would be alik
unnecessary and uncalled for"
Mr.. Noble was then called upon, and mad
q short speech, in which he acknowledge
the right of the people to instruct their rep
resentatives, and avowed his willingness {
obey the. voice of his constituents, whe
fairly expressed. He had always been CT
posed to street railroads. but now that the
were fixed fact, he wanted to make theI
subservient to the interest of the people.
the fare was reduced, the roads would be n
greater obstruction to the streets than the
are at present. The rich were only beneftte
by the per-cdpitd tax. 1t was $1,000 in Ml
Longworths pocket, and the poor man ha
it to pay.
Other speakers followed, on both sides {
the question, and at one time, disturbanc
seemed imminent. Order being restored
however, vote was taken, and the minorit
report was adopted by at least two to one.