The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-11
STREET RAILROADS.

The matters in controversy as to their re-
spective rights and privileges between the
several street-car companies, and each COM
pany and the city, will be before the special
meeting of the City Council this evening for
discussion and adjustment. While the rights
of the city should be carefully guarded and
protected, it is nevertheless the duty of the
Council to act fairly and literally toward the
companies provided the companies are acting
in good faith and with an honest purpose, and
while seeking good investment, are yet pre-
pairing to render an equivalent in the way of
public convenience to the city and the citi-
zens. The Journal is not taking sides in this
matter, further than it wishes the advance
ment of the growth and prosperity of Indian
apolis.
The present company-the Citizens Street
railroad Company-is operating under an old
charter and its amendments. That charter
was very liberal, possibly too liberal; yet the
rights granted thereby are vested rights, and
cannot be ruthlessly Invested. Before pro-
ceeding to any measures that would interfere
with those rights the Council should be thor
oughly advised The old company has
changed owners within the past few weeks
and gentlemen of capital and enterprise have
invested over million of dollars in the
property. They have made this investment,
to be sure, with view of making money, 10
does every other man or company that en-
cages in business. But the fact that these
men have invested so much money is eer-
tainly an assurance thatsthey viii seek to
popularize their road so as to make it both
. convenience and necessity to
the citizens. The company has already made
very great Improvement in the service, and it
promises more and greater improvements. 1t is
manifestly its interest that it should do so.
The owners of million of dollars may be safely
set down as clear headed business men, Hav-
ing put so much money in the city, with the
pro mise Of more, it is clearly our interest to
treat with them fairly, literally and gener-
ously, always, however, protecting the rights
of the city. If the company has made mis-
takes, or claims more than proper, the differ
ences should be calmly examined into and ad-
justed. There is no call for violent action or
retaliation, until other methods have been ex-
hausted.
The two other companies seeking grants
and privileges at the hands of the Council
should, also. be treated in the same spirit. If
these companies, or either of them, can show
that they have the capital in hand, or in
sight, to build a line, or lines, that will be of
public benefit, that their methods are leeiti-
mate and that they come to build roads and
benefit the city and not to get charters to sell
or for speculative purposes, then, properly
guarding all rights, they should be met with
open arms and treated literally and generous
ly. II too liberal charters have been granted
il the past, that is the very best reason why
prudence should be exercised in the future.
1t is very easy to grant charters, but it is
often very difficult to get rid of them. The
city ought to welcome everybody and every
company that viii bring money, enterprise
and inhabitan is to our midst, but the Coun-
ellis should be prudent while being liberal.