New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-21
ALDERMEN IN A TUMULT.
ANGRY WORDS OVER THE ELECTRIC MOTOR
QUESTION.
A LARGE MAJORITY FAvoRs GRANTING THE
FoURTH-AvE. RAILROADS. REQUEST Bor MI
ENOUGH VOTES WERE CAST TO CARRY

A
roURruAvE. RAILROADS REQUEST, BUT NOT
ENOUGH VOTES WERE CAST TO CARRY
THE MOTION.
The principal subject under discussion at the au-
ourned meeting OF the Board OF Aldermen yeS'eiua'
was tho resolution known as General oruer w
35o 10 originally presented by Mr.. FItzsinons
chairman of the Railroad Committee, May ~ lo'o'
and since then the Of frequent fiery depaes ~
the chamber II gives to the Harlem Railroad inc
right 10 use electric motors for traction lns'eau VI
horses. Mr. Storm called up the resolu'oh 1,I
moved its immediate passage. He follower nS
motion with a speech, in which he alluded 10 inc ui
necessary opposition, as he thought, winch n'
far defeated the project, although a vast maJoriy
., tho rconle who 1.-Two upon the line Of the road
desired the change. During the period which hau
elapsed since the question last under consiueif
ton the fact had been demonstrated that the cloo
motor plan a complete success, so much - S'''
large numbers desiring to use the fourth-No' ii'e
will wait TO ride upon the cars propelled py eiec'
although they few in number. Inc suohs oPpo
sItion developed in the Board against granting 'i'
nen,ssion had been largely reduced in view OF inc
facts and Mr. Storm believed that there was no
practical objection to the new method
Mr. Walker one Of the original obiectors sara
that he was still against the resolution Athousn
he believed that within five years electricity "ouiu
he the recognized means Of street-car traction ]"
ble franchises to wealthy corporations without making
them nav for them This permission would aad %
ner cent 10 the companys net income ana ne OeHcNeu
| that the city ought to share IN TINS inoie"9o VI
wealth A reasonable price ought TO be set upon
this grant and upon ali others Of like character anu
| Tins lessen the burdens of the taxpayer
| Mr. Conklnc called Mr.. Walkers attention to the
fact that no franchise disposed Of by the resou
| non. Tho company's franchise was fifty years Old
| This resolution merely permitted change In the
motive power
Mr.. Ffzslmons thought that Mr. Walkers oDlec-
ton did not apply to the present case The use OIL
| the electric motor more expensive than morse
novver and he doubted II It's use would Increase the
| company's income lie hoped the opportunity would
now be given without further opposition to try me
new method fully.
When the roll was called Acting President Bowling
| explained that member Of the Board had OPPOSE"
the measure more strongly than he had, but the I'M
provements made and the removal Of the obecuohaole
and dangerous features Of the invention had satisfied
him that the desired permission ought not to be
| lonrcr refused lie did not believe, however, tha'
the method would ever into general use because
| of the cost
The vote stood 13 yeas 10 6 nays. For-Do~llhg
Barry Ben jamn, Conking, Cowie, Fitzsimons' HuoDe
| Mccarthy. McMurray Martin, Rinckhof, Storm and
Won MipdeD. Aganst-Butlor, Clancy, Holland
Joseph Murray, TAFT and Walker MeSsrs' DIVVer
Gunther. Mooney, John Murray, Oakley and Sullivan
were absent
Before Captain Twomey had time 10 declare th'
result Mr.. Storm, who had kept careful tally, sa"
that only thirteen votes had been cast for Inc
measure. one less than was required. He instantly
moved 10 adjourn Points Of order and calls for
declaration of the vote poured IN upon the Chair IRON
all sides II the vote could be declared the rcsoiu
tion would be killed The air Of the chamber quveres
with SuDprcsed excitement. But the acting pIesiueh
decided that motion 10 adjourn was always IN ofle
except during a call Of the roll. and the iOli haN.
been called. Mr. Storms motion vas IN OIuer III
then put the motion and declared IT carried -
wild tumult followed. Messrs. Walker, clancy
and TAFT denounced the action as an outrage ana
scandal and for a number Of seconds It looked a.
President bowling might be subjected 10 persona
violence. No bones were broken. however, and NJ
bocd was spilled After venting their pa~siohai
feelings in angry talk the oppOsers OF electrcit,
gradually cooled down and the excited city leglsla
tors finally dispersed
There are differing opinions as 70 the Legality
Mr. Dowling's decision, and there VIII De genera
studying up Of the rules before Mondays session,
which timef She Board adjourned The question VII
| fbon be broSsht up again. Mr. Bowling said that b
would ask the Corporation COunsels opinion as &
whether he had rightfuy wrongfully prevents
the death Of the resolution.