Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-07-24
A LUMINOUS SUBJECT.
Special Council Meeting for
Electric Light DIS
Gu sion.

va Ey&O6As
A Final Order Issued for the Ereo-
ton Of Masts Fifty Feet High.
These was special meeting of the
CITY council last evening for final action
upon the proposition of the electric light
company to light the streets of Yankton
by electricity. There were present at
the opening Aldermen English, Scougal,
Edgerton, Branch and Gilman. In the
absence of the mayor, Alderman English
was made mayor pro tenn and presiding
officer.
TaE SUBJECT BRoAcHRD.
Alderman Eigertop, chairman of the
executive committee, stated that the oh.
iect of tie special meeting was the
adoption OF an electric lighting scheme
for the city. Ephsiam Miner, of the
electric light company, had asked that
the council be brought together for this
purpose, but MIR. Miner was not present.
being represented by Mr.. Walker, also
of the company. 1t was understood that
the street lights were to be erected over
the centers of the Intersections OF streets
fifty feet high and under the original ar
rangement within the written contract
submitted they were to be suspended
from cables strung across the streets.
The company Lad since proposed the
use of high masts and had erected .
sample light of this kind at the inter
section of Third and Walnut streets to
enable the committee to Judge of Its
utility. Alderman Eigerton said the
committee had held sn evening session
about the base OF this pole, had examined
the electric glow at it's zenith terminus,
had talked the matter over among them
selves and had finally decided to leave
the decision between masts and cable
to the entire council. The contract
with the company provided that the
street lights be erected according to the
directions of the coupoil, 50 there was
considerable latitude.
TABDY ALDERMEN.
Alderman Edgerton moved, and the
motion was adopted. that the marshal
be sent after Aldermen Grove and Pow
ere, who were in the city, but not in the
council chamber The marshal COM
piled with those instructions and the
two alderman came in shortly, somewhat
in hurry.
CABLES VS.. MAsTs.
Alderman Ohlman stated that the
light company was willing to hang the
lights from cables, bnt that it recon-
mended masts as preferable. They were
more expensive than cables, but were
undoubtedly better. This was the con-
alusion of the aldermanie body and the
real question for discussion was whether
the masts should be placed in the centers
of street Intersections or at one side.
Alderman Branch had Investigated the
cable suspension method and was certain
it was very inconvenient, especially in
the winter when the pulleys became
clogged by ice and snow and were diff
cult to operate. 1t was immaterial to
him which OF the two methods was
adopted, but he inclined to the upright
masts.
Alderman Scougal was certain that the
high poles were preferable to cables
they ensured more steady lights as the
wind could not sway them, Lights
swung upon cabl,s produced moving
shadows which frightened horses. He
was in favor of planting the masts In the
street centers, thereby securing unob-
stflcted range.
Alderman English agreed with Alder
man Scougsl and said it seemed to him
that the council was unanimous for poles
instead of cables
While Alderman Branch was in favor
OF planting the light masts
in the street centers he reminded
the council that the water mains, being
in the center, were an obstacle to that
plan-the poles could not be planted
over the mains. He stated that the com.
pany had no fifty foot poles on hand
and would have to send fer them, but
had supply forty feet long. These
would suIt him as well.
Alderman ScouRal did not want the
masts to be less than fifty feet.
Mr.. Walker, ef the electric light COM
pany, suggested that there was danger
of getting the lights to high. IA man in
the lobby whispered his full concurrence
in the remark, mumbling something
about fifteen dollars per month.
Aldermen Gilman reminded the coun-
oil that when the street railway was
built it's tracks must have street centers
and could not very we'll turn out for
electric light poles.
Alderman Powers inclined to the pro-
position to suspend the lights from
cables, but il masts were used he thought
they should be planted at tbs curb line
on alternate sides of streets.
A suggestion was made by Alderman
Gilman that business street lights might
be placed at the curb and residence
street lights in centers OF streets.
Alderman Grove was OF the opinion
that since the sample light was erected
1, 4 Il.