Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-31

if it should be for sale, and 40 days to de-
eide.
Mayor Gregory said there were strong
reasons why the matter should go over until
tomorrow He wished to have certain re-
strietions incorporated into the franchise.
Mr.. Redding-"If we are here with the
lowest bid; if the parties are responsible;
if they are willing 10 give the people better
light than the latter now have, their peti-
ton is entitled to consideration
a. Lovdal made the point that but one
company was prepared to bid for furnish
ing lights on the 1st of January. If the
Board expected outside companies to bid it
should have so arranged the date as to give
them a chance
Mr.. Taylor who claimed torepresent the
Thomson-Houston system) said that if
competition was to be opened TO all corners
to furnish electric lights within ninety
days, he would like to put in bid. Some
criticism had been passed upon the quality
of the light furnished by the Capital Gas
Company and also that offered to be TOR
nished by the Westinghouse Company.
He could give a better light than either,
and cheaper. If granted such franchise
as the one now before the Board he would
be able to construct electric railways and
fill the strrets with poles, as had been done
in Los Angeles, or do anything else with
electricity.
Mr.. Redding thought it unfair to permit
person who had no bid before the Board
to step in and discourage the whole matter.
The Trustees, in asking for bios, knew that
reasonable time would be required in
which to put in plant.
Mr.. Clark said that, if given the fran
chise and contract they would see that the
city got its lights in the meantime without
any extra charge.
E. NJ. Leitch said he had signed the Pc
tition for the franchise, but it was not in
due form. He favored the Mayors idea to
lay the matter over, and then to reject all
bids and advertise for lights to be furnished
in ninety days.
Mr.. Steinman said that would suit his
company, and during the ninety days he
would supply the city at the present rates.
Mayor Gregory repeated that the matter
should go over day.
Trustee Mclaughlin urged that his mo-
ton to grant tine franchise be voted on. He
would accept Mr.. VOLTS amendment.
Mayor Gregory said he appreciated the
fact that the people want service at the
lowest rates, aud it was the duty of the
Board to give every opportunity to all par
ties to bid. He had no interest in the
matter except on behalf of the people.
Many new points had been raised that
needed igation-matters in regard to
which the people had right to be pro-
tected. If the Board saw fit to override
him, it would be doing something against
the public interest. If the City Attorney S
opinion in the matter should be found to
be correct, then all franchises granted
under the present charter would be vitiated,
ant this was something that should be
carefully considered. He asked of his fell
low members of the Board the same cour-
tesy he had frequently extended to them.
HI was in favor of granting the franchise,
but with notifications and restrictions.
Certain safeguards should be thrown around
the peoples interests.
Mr.. Rinkson claimed that the Board had
no right to grant franchise on the condi-
ton that contract be awarded. That was
monstrous proposition.
Trustee Mclaughlin insisted on having
his motion put to vote. He didn't pro-
pose to be choked off in this manner.
The Mayor-"Then you propose to bull
doze the Board into doing that which
should not be done without careful consid-
Grafton"
Trustee McLaughlin-"I don't want to
bulldoze anyone. l am responsible for my
action, and / want no guardian"
Mayor Gregory-'I offer substitute mo-
ton, that the whole matter be laid over till
10 o'clock A. NJ. tomorrow"
Lost. Ayes-Gregory noes-McLaugh-
lin and Wolf.
The roll was then called on McLaugh-
Inns motion, as amended, to grant the
franchise asked for, and resulted: Ayes
Mclaughlin and Wolf; noes-Gregory.
Mayor Gregory changed his vote from no
to aye. and gave notice of a motion to re-
consider.
Mr.. Redding then asked that the matter
of awarding the contract be taken up.
Trustee Mclaughlin moved that con-
tract be awarded to Mr.. Fargo and others
IN accordance with their bid, the number
of lights to be not less than 1875
Mayor Gregory said that as the matter oil
the franchise had no. been definitely set
tied, he moved that the subject be laid over
till the next meeting.
Lost-Ayes-Gregory noes-McLaugh-
lin and Wolf
The question recurring on Mr. Nc
Laughlin's motion to award the contract
Judge benson delivered a long argument
| to prove that the Board had no right to lei
a contract to the new company, as its bic
did not conform to the advertisement, and
was in fact no bid at all. The Board should
disregard and reject the bid. AS private
citizen and taxpayer, he protested agains
the awarding of the contract.
| The Judge made long argument on thu
legal points involved, at the conclusion o
which Mr.. Redding spoke on behalf O
himself and associates, claiming that thei
bid was proper and legal. The Trustees
had control of the matter, and could have
as many lights rs they desired.
During Judge Denson's argument Trus
tee Mclaughlin suggested that argument
be restricted to ten minutes each.
Judge benson said that if it was pro
posed to buildoze this thing through b,
would like to know it. He was taxpaye
and claimed the right to be heard in a mat
ter of the importance of that now unde
discussion, and it was the duty of the Trus
tees to listen to him.
Trustee McLsughlin's motion to aware
the contract to Fargo and others was the1
put to vote, with the following result:
Ayes-NcLaughlin and Wolf.
Noes-Gregory.
Mayor Gregory changed his vote from NJ
to aye, and gave notice that at the mex
meeting of the Board he would move t
reconsider the vote.
The Board then took a recess until II
O'Clock this morning.