The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-14
4 CONSERVATIVE SESSION.
A Committee Appointed by the Council
to Consider the Telephone Question.
POstpOnement Of Action on the Proposition to
Revoke the COmpanys Charter-Permis-
sion to Erect the Light Towers Granted.
THE COMMON COUNCIL.


Postronement of Action in the Ordinance Re-
voking the Telephone Company's Charter
The Council met last night in special session
to consider the telephone misunderstanding Mr..
Spahr introduced an ordinance repeating the
telephone charter ordinance of 1879
The committee on streets and alleys reported
in favor Of allowing the indianapolis (Brush)
Electric Light and Power Company to erect
four towers one at the corner of Pennsylvania
and Washington streets, one at the corner Of
Illinois and Washington streets, one at the
corner Of Pennsylvania and Ohio streets. and
one at the corner of Illinois and Ohio streets.
The report was adopted.
Mr.. Trusler moved that the Street Commits
sioner be instructed to change the grade of
English avenue from Linden street to Reid
street SO that the street will be drained by the
Red-street sewer. Adopted.
Mr.. Doyle introduced an ordinance authoriz-
ing the indianapolis & ST. Louis Railway Com
pany to construct and maintain a certain side
track or extension thereof across West street and
along Georgia street.
The petition of the Union Railway Company,
asking further time--until next spring-for the
improvement of Pogues run, was referred to the
committee on streets and alleys
Mr.. Spahr moved suspension of the rules,
SO that his ordinance repeating the charter ordi-
nance of the telephone company could be taken
up and passed. The ordinance and the following
resolution, introduced by Mr.. Spahr, was then
read:
Resolved, BY the Common Council and the Board
of Aldermen, that the resolution granting
certain rights of way to the Central Union Telephone
Company, adopted Sept. y and Oct 3. 1883, be and
the is hereby repea led, rescinded aud forever
held for naught.
Mr.. Cowie moved to refer the entire matter to
a committee of three. This was amended by a
motion to make the reference to committee of
five.
Mr.. Spahr said that the telephone company
was not deserving of any such consideration,
and no hoped no such delay would be made. Nlr.
Spain appeared to be speaking for buncombe
constituency, and his speech was much more
vituperative than elegant, coherent or logical.
He seemed much offended at the newspapers for
daring to take different view of the matter
from that entertained by himself. Take the
bull by the horns, gentlemen, and you'll paralyze
him, but take him by the tail and
he'll paralyze YOU said Mr.. spahr; land
don't you lay the dattering. JUNCTION
world. Let the Bell Telephone Company and
the Union Telephone Company take their instru-
ments and get out of here unless they want to
obey the law. Don't postpone this thing an hour
more. If you do. and compel man to sign one
of these infamous contracts you will sin against
the law Of the land"
Mr.. Coy was of opinion that the law passed by
the last Legislature was not yet the law Of the
land, Whereupon Mr.. Spahr, hurled the thunder
bolt that the action Of the telephone company
was something in the nature of particeps crimins
before the act. This startling expression Of
calaboose law paralyzed Mr. Coy, and he was
heard from no more.
Mr.. Cowie said he did not want to act hastily
upon the question, and that it would be wise to
act slowly, thoughtfully and cautiously. Next
week is the next meeting night; we can then
vote inteligently.
Mr. Pearson thought Mr. Spahr was on the
right road, but in too great haste. He believed
that the Council should act with calm, cool judg-
ment and slowly; that nothing had come to the
Council from either the citizens committee or
the telephone committee.
Mr.. Rees said he was in favor of the matter
going to tt g committee; there was no'necesslty
for such hasty action as Mr.. Spahr proposed.
Mr.. Newcomb thought that the Council could
not row act inteigently in the matter. If they
could not comply with the law he was in favor
of closing@them up, as he with regard to
saloons, but in neither case did he think such
action advisable without a hearing. lie was
opposed to the telephone company abro
eating the law made by the Legislature and
making law Of their own. But they haven't
violated il yet. 1t isn't law yet, and until it
is, he was in favor of giving them hearing and
ascertaining what they will do and what they
will not do
Mr. Thalman was opposed to haste. Import
ant ordinances should never be passed under
suspension of the rules. Tho city is receiving
great benefits from the telephone company, and
the fire department and police are now SO con-
nected with the system, that to cut the connec-
ton suddenly would do great harm. If salts
factory solution of the matter cannot be reached
by the committee, he would then be ready to
favor Mr.. Spahrs ordinance
The matter was then referred to special com
mittee, consisting of Messrs Cowie, Edenharter
Haugh, Reynolds and Thalman, who are to re-
port at the next meeting.
The Council then adjourned.