Daily Republican., 1889-04-18

Wilmington. The Bell people were able
to declare dividend Of t24 on the low
charge of $65. We do not want TO de.
stroy the business of the telephone com.
panies, because the business We represent
expect to get our returns from them.
Under ground wires will not raise prices;
1t will lower them, and they know 1t. The
telephone people are frequently annoyed
by atmospheric Influences. As to the
telegraph wires, they have been under
ground for years. In London they have
been under ground for forty years.
"Ibey are making money at what they
now have, and will continue to do SO
until you make them put them under
ground. They will allow nothing to
come in unless they divide. In New York
the subways are in operation by private
corporation. Forty per cent. of the New
York Company Ia owned by the Ameri-
eau Bell Telephone Company, $3.50, 900
by the Edison, and $3.50, 900 by your hum
bic servant. This much for Mr.. Hof-
fecker's remark that the city of New
York laid for its subways. We do not
ask for dollar of your money. Mr..
Hofiecker said many subways have been
tried and many failed. Yes, know OF
ilO have failed, but that is nothing
against the successful one. Wires have
been found that were successful, one in
Wilmington.
Mr.. johnson read letter from L. A.
Lesley, OF the Manhattan Company OF
New York, to the effect that failure was
not possible II proper care was taken.
He pronounced the under ground service
superior to overhead wires. Mr.. johnson
read letter from Jacob He's, of the
New York Company, to Col. Cody An
finger, recommending the Johnstone
system. lie cited numter of cases
where the coDduits had not been given a
fair chance.
Prof. Barrett, OF Chicago, was called
on, but declined for the time to speak.
A little parrying OF words then ensued
between Mr.. johnson and Mr.. Tru mp, in
which the former came out somewhat
ahead.
Mr.. Gill said: "He came here few
weeks ago and said he represented the
good citizens of Wilmington. Now he
said he represented the Johnstone system
OF coniuits. l think that is all that Ii
necessary"
Mr.. johnson Ietorted, ~ think Mr..
GIL Is mistaken. l never expected to
have the honor to represent such grea,
city as Wilmington"
George W. Bush said "that Whining
ton did not yet want the under ground
system. Wilmington is pretty good
place and he knows what 1t wants" He
compared the fable of the OK and the
frog to the attempt Of Wilmington to dc
what New York does. His only interes
was as customer. He a'so thought the
cost would 20 up"
sydney Smith of Boston appeared fol
the companies. He eaid: 1T looks as /
| Tho conduit - A..
impression that everybody were liars an(
they were all right" He ridiculed Mr.
Johus.nne numerically. Mr.. Johnston,
was great anan, too great for him t,
understand. He MT right and left. Cit,
Solicitor Turner fell under his partIcula
care, and for once in his life the cain
City Solicitor was nonplussed.
j. b. Ecclestine congratulated the peo
pie on hearing Mr.. Smith of Boston. |
is not to be supposed that the Council O
Wilmington are employed. He Jumped
into "Mr, Smith OF Boston," as he termed
him, with both feet, and soon had hin
angry. He said the manufacturers O
Wilmington were frightened by the elec
trlo.ans of Wilmington.
Mr.. Turner then took a chance at Mr.
Smith, and he went into him. ''This Il
a serious matter" he said, "Lo be consid
cred carefully, and not by the antics OF I
clown. If there is any universal desir,
among the people of Wilmington not L
have the wires, they have had time tC
flood this Legislature with petitions. You
gentlemen do not represent all there Is In
the city of Wilmington. The great class
of the people of Wilmington are the
laboring men, who pay the taxes"
James Bradford said the people of VIII
mington did not want this change.
Prot. Barratt was called upon, and re-
piled that It was entirely immaterlal to
him Low this matter was decided. 1t was
alleged If ] came here It would prove the
Chicago system was failure. l put ln
SO miles in Chicago last year, and 1t did
not cost as much as it is estimated the
Wilmington wires will. There are $50
miles OF wires under ground In Chic 60,
and 1t Is very successful.
This closed the evenings fun. MAY,