The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-04-17
WATER Powkh MEETING.

ottawa on Wednesday evening, who had assem-
bled in obedience to call which had been issued
inviting them to meet to hear matters discussed
in reference. to the proposed water power inn
provement at Ottawa.
The meeting was organized by the appoint
ment OF Hon. A. w. Cavarly chairman and G.
NJ. Radcliffe secretary.
Mr. Il. Thorne made a few remarks, to the
effect that reliable capitalist of this city had
made proposition to make the proposed water
power improvement on condition that the city
voted him bonus equal to $4,000 in cash.
Mr.. G. H. Force, Secretary Of the Ottawa
Manufacturing Company, then, ON invitation,
made statement on behalf Of the company, of
the causes Of the delay in prosecuting the work
OF the proposed water power improvement. He
said, in substance, that some 21s years ago the
oorporators named in the charter of the o. NJ.
Co. had proceeded to open books for subscrip-
tions OF stock. The subscriptions came in slow.
ly, and finally bill was got through the legis-
lature authorizing the city Of Ottawa to take
100000 of the stock. The people had voted in
favor Of the subscription, but when the corpora.
tors called upon the commissioners named in
the act authorizing the 100000 subscription to
act in behalf Of the city, to make the subscrip-
tion, they refused to do so, on the ground that
the company was not legally organized, there
having been no election Of directors pursuant to
the charter. The corporators, to obviate this
objection then gave the required legal notice for
the election Of directors the election took place,
and the company was recognized strictly pur-
suant to the charter. A second application was
now made to the commissioner to subscribe the
stock for the city, but they again refused.
Mr.. Jer. Wood, one of the commissioners, here
asked Mr. Force whether, previous to this elec-
tion of directors, the corporators had not refused
to give up the books that additional subscrip-
tions Of stock might be received?
Mr.. Force said the company had refused to let
the books go out of their hands
Wood-Didnt you say the company didn't
want amy more subscriptionsf
Mr.. Force-I have no such recollection.
Mr.. 7. Clancy-Didn't I ask You if could
subscribe stock. and you said I couldn't
Mr.. Force-I recollect nothing Of the sort.
On the contrary, he knew that the COMPANY
were all the time anxious to get all the sbscrip.
tions they could. They had gone up and down
these streets, from store to store and Office to
office, but met with nothing but Encouragement
every where
Mr.. F. added that the company, SO far from
wishing to delay the improvement, had been
soliciting aid from the East, and were now in
correspondence with parties there with good
prospect of success.
Mr.. R. Thorne, lone Of the commissioners, dis.
agreed with Mr.. Force in regard to opening the
books to receive subscriptions In the first place,
the commissioners had urged the corporators TO
organize pursuant to the charter. They thought
1t unnecessary, but finally issued the notice to
organize. Bat pending these 80 days covered by
the notice, the comnissieners wanted the books
kept open to receive additional subscriptions,
and the corporators refused TO open the books
until after the election Of the directors. They
were fearful directors might be elected to take
the control Of the matter out Of their hands, and
to ssse them on that point, We went 50 far a. TO
say all We should ask would be two Of the i've
directors, and We offered to name our directors
in advance, and that they should not be indi-
viduals disagreeabie to Tho company ''a
I Julius Avery, Esq.s was called out. He said
he knew very little about the history Of this
water power business. or the causes Of its trou.
bles or delays He knew, however, that Ottawa
had splendid position, and could have splen.
did water power-and that there was great anx-
iesy on the part Of the people to have it i'm.
proved. He suspected that the great trouble
about it was, that the owners Of the land needed
wanted to get an enormous price for it. s
VIM. CogswelL Esq., WA called out. He
made some good hits all around, and, having nm.
derstood Mr.. Thorne 70 my that Mr. Cushman
was willing 10 improve the water power for q
bonus of $4,000 in money, expressed himsel. in
favor Of voting the bonus, on condition that the
price per horse power should be fixed in the
contract
ID. +. Cameron said he was one of the direc.
tors OF the company. AL the company had
wanted to 20 on with the work was enough
stock The reason that it had not been taken he
attributed wholly to lecal iealousies. The reason
the books to receive subscriptions had been closed
at certain time was, he supposed that certain
outside parties wanted to be elected directors.
He favorsd the project OF vote of $4,000 to be
given as bonus. That would remove all the OBJ.
structions in the form Of local jealousies. Az to
this meeting, he thought all it could do WAS to
pass n resolution urging the passage Of the bill