The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-01
TIME FOR BUSINESS,

40c Lucn OE buo lul6reSL ludt COubluQcS 10
handy epithets and indulge in further recrim-
ination and denunciation respecting the mat
ter of natural gas is public enemy. No one
but fool in his own conceit doubts that
and in prosperity, not only from the delay in the
introduction of gas, but particularly by reason
of the malignant spirit that shows its teeth at
all times, seeming to be more anxious to
make point of downing" somebody than in
conceding what no sensible man will say
cannot safely be conceded for the general good.
Indianapolis stands uniquely before the State
and the country as the only city in which a
spirit of bitterness is manifested toward CAPT.
tai and enterprise, and in which the people
are represented to be in two hostile camps.
In Chicago, in St. Paul, in Minneapolis, in
Kansas City, in Topeka-anywhere else in
the world-there is a coming together, q
concession of disputed points where conces-
sion can safely be made, harmonious working
together for the good name and the welfare of
the city. 1t does seem to the Journal high
time that change was coming over the spirit
of indianapolis in this regard. The city is
being injured every day by the present condi-
ton of things.
Let it be taken for granted that the Indian
apols Natural-gas Company has been the sum
of all villainies; that its past conduct has
been damnable. The Journal has not de-
Tended and will not defend, what it has done.
But all this is threshing old straw now. AS
Sidney Smith said to the universal swearer;
"Let consider everybody and everything
damned, and proceed to business" If SEN
sible people conclude that there have been
curses enough heaped upon the heads of the
stockholders and directors of the Indianapolis
Company, let proceed to business. That
business is fair candid, busin ess.like consid-
Grafton Of the amendments asked by two
companies who want to supply the city with
gas. One company has gas ready and the other
says the terms of the ordinance prevent it
from obtaining capital to go ahead with it's
enterprise: So far the Broad Ripple COM
pany is concerned, there is this to be said:
that before Mr.. Westcott came into it
the proposition was made to the Indi-
annapolis company that if the latter would
agree to buy it, it would go before the Council
asked. But the indianapolis company pre-
ferred to be open about the matter, and has
asked for the amendments in an outright and
upright way. Mr.. Westcott says he does not
want any changes; very well. But neither
he nor the Trust will enter into
bond not to ask changes after they
begin supplying gas, and one of the principal
men in the Trust told the Journal that the
change in the pipe extension provision would
be absolutely necessary for the Trust. So that,
at the best, it is about the difference between
tweedle dunn and tweedle dee whether the
change or changes shall be made now or six
months hence. One reason why the Indian
apolis company possibly feels that it must have
the change in advance, may be the constant
expression of a malignant feeling toward it
that would be gratifed at its complete and
utter destruction Not more than
three or four days ago the News,
WHICH HAS COuSl1luloQ 1lSolL Lu6 special CQam-
pion of keeping gas out of the city except as
it may come in obedicnce to its dogmatic con-
sent, said that if the Indianapolis company
desired to know what people thought of it let
listen to the comments Of the passers-by. IF
this be true it represents state of feeling
that would make very hazardous the invest
ment of million of dollars subject to the
whims and caprices if not the malice of such
q spirit. The assertions and the conduct Of
the News are sufficient warrant for the
companies asking the protection they do.
But all this aside. AS the Journal has SO
often said, and now so earnestly repeats: Let
the changes asked for be considered on their
merits, irrespective of every other consdera-
ton. Is it not time to show that the Coun-
ellis and people of Indianapolis can rise above
child's play, the making of mouths at your
sister, and determine business question on
business principles, with purpose to SUBJ
serve the present interests and future pros.
perity of the city, The enemy of Indian
apolis is the man or the interest that keeps
frothing at the mouth with malice
insisting upon the erection of a barrier
against any body enterprise that will not
bow to his ipse dixit and pay tribute to his
inflated self-importance. The Journal, speak
ing for the real body of the people, the vast
number who are not standing on the street
corners brawling about killing" anything. or
driving anybody out of town, warmly
welcomes every dollar of capital and every en-
terprise ready to come to assist in developing
the prosperity of Indianapolis, willing to treat
generously and candidly everybody and every
dollar, whether from home or from abroad. Sem
sible people are getting very tired of the OPP