The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-20

1tDU
feet considered it had done the fair thing for the
consumer we'll as the city. Ii tried TO meet
the views of all concerned, and obtain cheap
gas. but he did not think it could be had at 81.
He believed 81. % the lowest price possible;
and he therefore moved that the city clerk be
directed to return the contract to the company
with 81 70 inserted In place of 81, and SlS 70 IN
place OF SIS per post, and that the contract DO
made for two years
Councilman Swain said he had been told that
the gas company had its charter from the State,
and that the city had right TO regulate the
price of gas for domestic consumers. He wanted
the city attorneys opinion, In answer 70 which
request that officer replied that the company
bad something of double charter, one from the
State and the other from the city. the latter be-
ing derived from the agreement made three
years ago. In consid GRAFTON of that
agreement for lighting the city the ordi-
nance giving the company tue right to charge
not more than $3.50 per LOCO cubic feet for
ten years passed. The ordinance does not
restrict the company to uniform rate, hut 1t
says not more than 81, 80 shall be charged. 1t
can contract with individuals at e lower price
This explanation was satisfactory to Councilman
/. Swain.
The discussion was becoming spirited when
Councilman Stuckmeyer moved to Law the Trus-
Ter motion on table. The yeas and nays
were called FOR. and when Councilman Hickiln
called he explained his vote by saving II
this motion prevailed it would retard action. 1t
would not settle the question: as the company
had refused TO accept a lower rate than 81 70.
He was anxious to secure reduction as soon as
possible. Councilman Swain wanted TO know
the communication of the company. When as
sured that It would not deprive him from NOV
ing to refer it to the commits. he voted as re-
corded. The Trusler motion laid on the
table by the following vote;
Yeas-Councilmen Darne1 Dunn, Elliott Casper.
Gaul Johnston Kelley Long, Merkey. AcCieiiand.
O'Connor. Parkinson, Smith, Stuckneyer, Swain and
Navs-Councilmen Burns Cummings Davis, Finch
Hicklin, Pearson, Trusler and Wilson's.
Councilman Swain moved to refer the com
munication to the committee light, but there
being second Councilman Cummings said it
was no use to wait all summer to settle this
question. By delaying it the city is subjected
to a payment of 81 80 per 1000 cubic feet and
$25 per post, ana to relieve the treasury from
that great expense he offered the following reso-
luton:
Resolved by the Common Council and Board of
Aldermen of the city of indianapolis. That the In
dianapolis Has-lght and Coke Company be and it is
hereby notified and directed discontinue the light
ing OF all street lamps in this city the 1st of APRIL
1888: from and after that date nothing will be
paid said company bv the city for any gas burned in
of the street lamps in the city and that said
into between the said company and this city for
lamps shall terminate that the city clerk be and he
is hereby directed to and deliver to said COM
pany a certified copy of this resolution.
Councilman Thalman. with marked emphasis.
expressed his opposition 10 such action. He de-
sired 81 gas much any one. but if this
olution was passed the consumer would still De
required bay $3.50. He would not take the
responsibility of leaving the city at the mercy of
foot-pads and burglars which would be the
If the lights were turned off. Without light in
the streets the lives of citizens would be endan-
gered and the consumers would have no benefit
OF low rate for the gas they consumed. He ad :
vised waiting and If any company could be found
to furnish cheaper light make contract with
that. but steps should be taken to deprive the
city of protection
Councilman Swan said he would not dare to
vote for such a resolution, but he wanted the
committee to further investigate the matter.
He took occasion TO refer to the influence the
press had councilmen. and stated that some
of them were afraid to vote their convictions.
For his part, he .disreGarded what the press
said if he believed be right
Councilman Stuckmeyer explained that his
motion made out of unkindness to the
gas company. His constituents asked him to
vote for one dollar gas. but at the same time
they did not wish him to GO too far
Councilman Pearson thought if all of Council
man Sfuckmeyers constituents were like the
Rev. Hunter they STATED things false as hell"
gospel, out that gentleman had made statements
which did not nave in them the least semblence
of truth. Not argument has been offered for
dollar gas. What has been done has been
the dctation of ra tile Drained man, then
why not go further, and at their request cut off
the gas Let the matter be terminated. for the
Gas Company means business and will not be
squeezed conference committee will do no
good and the Council reach conclusion to-
night we'll a week hence.
Councilman Hicklin thought the spirit actual
ing Council was akin to aIarchism and was in
keeping with that which ordered out the tele-
phones and the cutting down of wires and poles
He offered resolution to reconsider the former
action of the Council and put the price at 70
cents and the price per posi- at $12 There was
just good show to get gas at 20 cents at
81 THIS ruled out
II would like to know" asked Councilman
Markey, 'if Councilman Cummings is in earnest
about this matter"
IF any one asks you" replied the council
man, tell him you don't know"
'"rhe best thing to do" said Councilman
Marley. is to have commission insane
and have the Council removed to the hospital
west of here"
y arise to point of order" said Cummings
mo member has the right to impugn the mo-
tives of another"
He no doubt intended the remark as a pleas.
antry." said the Mayor, "and besides, he
terred to no enc especially" Councilman
Marley, proceeding, thought the Council was
acting like parcel of children.
Councilman Darnell favored the resolution.
The Broad Ripples lamps gave him enough
lignt but he would put forward the date for
cutting off the light. for the Board of Aldermen
met on the LIST of April
A motion from Councilman McClelaud to Law
the Cummings motion on the table did not pre-
vail. the vote being follows:
Yeas-Councilmen Burns. Dunn, Elliott, Finch,
Hicklin. Marley McCleland Swain Thalman Trus.
Ter and Wilson-11.
Nays-oouncilrnen Cummings. Darnell. Davis, Gas
per, Gaul Johnston Kelley, Long, O'Connor, Park
1nson, Pearson, Smith and Stuckmeyer-13.
Councilman Casper moved to amend the reso-
luton, extending the time of the present con-
tract to May l. and instruct the city engineer
to advertise for bids for lighting the streets of
the city by means of electricity. Councilman
Thalman moved to amend the proposed amend
ment limiting any contract for electric lighting
to year MIR. Tnalman's amendment was
adopted with Councilman Casper alone voting
in the negative The Casper amendment, as
amended, adopted, and the Cummings res
oluron. thus changed. was passed, Councilman
Trusler alone opposing it.
Later in the evening Councilman Hckliu re-
newed his 20 cents proposition, but it
ferred back TO him. He then Introduced a reso-
luton providing for the appointment of com
mlttee to request the gas company to sell gas
to private consumers at $l.25 per ]. 900 cubic
feet IN the absence of any contract with the
city. This passed unanimously. and the Chair
appointed Conncilmen HcklIn, Casper and
Stuckmeyer as the committee.
In considering its calendar business the Cour-
Gil heard several reports from the city civil gil
neer, of which his estimates on the
cost of the proposed bridge across the canal at
Second street The calculations were based on
a bridge forty feet wide with sixty foot span,
the road waY being twenty. six feet wide with a