The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-04
THE CITIZENS MEETING.


An Attempt Cry Down Speeches Favoring
Changes the Ordinance
There were about $50 persons present at
the citizens meeting in the Criminal Court
room last night, called for the purpose of
protesting against any changes being made in
the natural-gas ordinance While the major
ity of those present were stockholders in
the Trust company. the other companies were
represented by some OF their directors and off,
GERS. There also present sevreal members
of the Council and Board of Aldermen.
A little before 8 o'clock William Patterson
called the meeting TO ORDER and after briefly
stating that it had been called for the purpose of
protesting against any changes being made in
the gas ordinance. nominated Edward S. Pope
for chairman. There being no other nomna-
tions Mr. Pope was elected, and the orga MIA
ton was completed by the selection of Calvin
Hamlin as secretary.
Mr. Patterson the took the floor and spoke
for an hour and half. He began by referring
to the Trust a company that had private
interest political purpose. 1t was organized
for the people, and he wanted to look at the
changes as they would affect the people. He
said he lived in the Twenty first ward, aud
satisfied that not ten men in the ward wanted
any change, wanted any other company than
the Trust to furnish their gas. They did not
believe that any other company would benefit
the people or the city. Every additional gas
main laid alongside the Trusts mains would
increase the price of gas and would
injurs the business OF the Trust. 1t didn't
quire of any intelligence
or foresight to understand the
tempt TO have the ordinance amended,
He didn't want any capitalists to furnish gas to
the city. The people must protect themselves
and their interests, for they W ere threatened on
all sides. 1--WE have had the Credit Mobeliers,"
said he; I'VE have had the whisky rings we
have had twenty aldermen in New York who
sold out a franchise. and none of them received
less than $40, 900. / undertake to say that the
coupcilmen of Indianapolis better than.
they are in New York, and if we not
full we will have the same condition of affairs
here that existed in New York. say that COR
ruption has been rampant in this city, and it
may continue. 1 say it is insult
to a man who has any intelligence
to ask him to change the ordinance.
Any one with any sense would know
that the companies would not ask these changes
unless they were material. Under the present
ordinance meters are to be furnished by the
company on the request of the consumer. If
companies acting honestly consumers will
not demand a meter, but if they are disposed to
swindle the consumers will need meters. Ali
the things asked by the two Companies are
fraud The Capital City company goes
a little further and is little meaner than the
Indianapolis company. They say they will
make consumer take gas through meter
and make him pay for it. Here the Broad
Ripple and the Trust companies. which have
accepted the ordinance. The man doesn't live
who wants a change unless he is in some way
interested in either the Indianapolis or Capital
City company"
CONTINUING Mr.. Patterson said that under the
present ordinance it would take sixteen years to
pipe the city, and il the amendments were made
it never would be piped. The Capital City and
the Indianapolis company wanted to make the
Trust buy them out; either that or they would
lay twenty five miles of pipe in the heart Of the
city, and then complain that they had no more
gas IF the councilmen amend the ordinance"
said he, Il am in favor Of tarring and feathering
them, and, putting the IndianapolIs Journal
with them, throw the whole lot into White
river. A councilman who will vote to change
the ordinance is bad the men who were
convicted in the United States Court. We have
had enough Of thievery in Indianapolis. These
monopolies have got an organ in the Indian
apolis Journal, which says these amendments are
material. 1t insists that the city be piped so
we can have a boom and manufactures. 1t
hasn't sense enough to see that il tho ordinance
is amended, the city will not be piped for ten
years. 1t wants to let gas in as if the people
were painting for gas"
The Indianapolis company, he said, wanted
to get pipeline down in the center of the city,
and 1t would never lay another main after that.
As long as the other companies could cripple
the Trust, there would not be cheap gas in In
dianapolis. II don't expect a single councilman
to vote for the amendments" said he, land If
any do: will know they have been influenced
room in indianapolis for the Trust
and all the other companies. When the
Indianapolis and CAPITAL City companies come
in they will get no chance to pipe the city be-
cause they will get consumers The Trust
and the other companies are antagonistic. They
can't all live. The Trust will either have to go
under. or it will be the other companies. Which
side will you be ONT Gods on the devil's2"
When Mr.. Patterson had concluded his speech
he said that he desired to present resolution,
and would like 70 have the meeting adopt is. He
then occupied another half hour in reading a
preamble and resolution, stating the
things he bad uttered in his speech. In the
ms ain the resolution was devoted to setting forth
the good qualities of the Trust, and dsnouncing
the other companies and all persons who
favored the changes IN .he ordinance. It set 4
be amended. but asked that 1t be not changed.
AT the conclusion of its reading Mr. Patterson
himself moved that it be adopted. Some man
moved to lay it on the table. but the motion was
not put to a vote Mr. Patterson again began
talking. but his voice was drowned in calls for
A f. Potts, who stood in the doorway leading
to the courtroom.
After Mr. Patterson had subsidized, Mr.. Potts
stepped inside the room and made a few re-
marks. II was asked" said he, eff this mestin
ad been called in the interest of the Gas Trust.
said not 1t was called BIZ the Journal, and
that perhaps accounts for the character of the
meeting. It seems to be meeting called in the
interest of those who desire the ordinance
amended / think this meeting 10 not of the
Trust company the people. see number
of directors of tho Indianapolis company here,
and other prominent gentlemen who would like
to see the ordinance amended. and Think we
should hear from the other siden
Mr. Potts did not speak the truth in stating thatthe
meeting vas called by the Journal. 1t was first
nounced in the Evening News
There were loud calls for Judge Martiudale
who occupied seat In the rear of the room,
aud he came forward Il doubt very much"
said he. whether any OF the companies would
be willing to father this meeting. / am not
stockholder In any company. but 1
am citizen OF Indianapolis. and
large consumer OF gas. AS such
/ would like to gas come into the city.
did, perhaps. IS much as any man toward max
ing the Gas Trust a success. and no man in Indi-
annapolis 10 now more In terested IN that company
than am, but l repeat. we want gas
at once was with a gentleman to-day who is
here for the purpose of buying property
which to build a glass mandatory. He came