Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-31
RUSHED THROUGH.
INDECENT HASTE IN GRANTING AN
IMPORTANT FRANCHISE.
Trustees Mclaughlin and Wolf Refuse to
Postpone the Matter for Even
Day.

The action of the majority of the Board
OF City Trustees-Messrs. Mclaughlin and
VIOLIN the matter of granting franchise
to a new electric light company and award
ing that company contract for lighting
the city, when it has no facilities for fur
nishing light, was the subject of much ad-
verse criticism all over the city last night.
While there seemed to be general desire
on the part of the people that every new
industry should be encouraged and induce
ments held out to capitalists to make in
vestments here, it was argued that it was a
curious proceeding for the Board to let a
of gentlemen who have not yet invested a
dollar here and whose agent freely stated
that they did not propose to unless they
got the contract. In other words, they
would only establish an electric light plant
provided the city furnished certain
amount of the capital, in the way of a two
year contract for lighting the streets.
In conversation with RECORD UNION
reporter a prominent citizen and heavy
taxpayer, who was present during the dis
cussion before the Board, summed the
whole matter up as follows:
"The action of Trustees Mclaughlin and
Wolf as expressed by their position, does
not reflect much credit on their judgment
as business men nor as representatives of
the public interest. A glance through the
franchise shows conclusively that it is
worded solely in the interest of the petit
TONERS. In other words, its conditions are
very cunHingly specified and practically
give to the etitiOners-should 1t by any
miSchance be granted--more rights and
privileges than were ever granted to any
corporation or individual in this city.
Through its medium the city would virtu-
ally relinquish all rights in the matter OF
conduct or maintenance of the proposed
plant, and would leave the question of To-
cation of poles wires, conduits, etc., to the
exclusive will and jurisdiction of the cor
poraion vino would be permitted, under
its extraordinary provisions, TO exercise
their own judgment in the selection of the
center of streets for that purpose instead OF
using the sides thereof, should they SO de-
sire.
81 do not question the duty the Board of
Trustees owes to the public in considering
and acting upon franchises of such an i'm
portant nature. While it is the interest of
the city TO encourage and stimulate every
legitimate industry that tends to add to the
taxable wealth and prosperity Of the COM
munity, it is manifestly the duty of the
Board of Trustees to grant such privileges
only upon conservative business principles,
and with such safeguards thrown around
it that public rights cannot become in
iured or molested. In the present case
there should be no fevoritism shown, and
tl,a
case of any other franchise that has been
granted by the city.
During the progress of the meeting
many suggestions were offered by the
Mayor in the matter of estrictions-partic-
ularly that of inserting clauses that would
prove good faith on the part Of the petit
TONERS; also, in relation to striking out the
Objectionable features of the document.
Each were unheeded by the two members
mentioned, whose sole and determined
purpose seemed to liein the desire to hurry
the matter through, and to carry out their
object without giving the public any oppor-
tunity to approve or disapprove their &C.
ton.
1.-THE universal sentiment of all present
favored longer and more earnest considera-
ton of the subject, but notwithstanding
this feeling and the earnest protests of the
Mayor-which were based solely upon the
principle of public policy and without ia
vor to either party concern ed-this very
important matter was trivially treated and
rushed through by the members men
toned.
1T is a source of satisfaction to know,
however, that the subject matter will lie
over for one week for final action, by
reason OF Mayor Gregory's notice of mo-
ton to reconsider, and it is to be hoped
that before the expiration of that time
Trustees Mclaughlin and Wolf will fully
consider the points presented and the duty
they owe, as public servants, to the people
of the city.
with reference to the question of bids
the action of the same members was also
very strange, for the reason that the adyer-
tisement and specifications call for bids for
city lighting 10 commence on January l.
1890. Two bids were received-one meet
ing the requirements the other stating that
it could not commence until ninety days
after that date. How can the gentlemen
named explain their position in voting for
the latter bid? 1t was certainly their duty
to reject the bid in question and act upon
the other bid by either accepting, modify
ing or rejecting it, or by refusing both bids
| and readvertising for proposals to com.
mence ninety days after the time originally
specified. In the latter case, others who
have expressed the desire could be per
mitted to enter the field and compete fol
the privileges, all of which would innurt
to the benefit of the public. For instance
gentleman present in the meeting of
fered, if given an opportunity to bid on the
ninety day plan, to fully equip complete
plant and furnish the city with better ant
cheaper electric lights than could either o.
the present bidders. His offer was ignored
while it was known to the Board to be gen
uine and substantial.
The question with me is What infu
ence compelled Messrs. Mclaughlin aD(
Wolf to take the peculiar stand they did il
| both mi tters -