New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-08

not allow whatever personal spleen, or anlmus
the witness may have to be spread upon 'his
"I'll answer the Corporation Counscl's ques-
ton said Mr. Conkling " As am graduate
of Yale University and of the University OF Der
lin, | consider myself an educated man:
Yes said Mr.. Clark that's all l want to
know ,.....- .
Then Mr.. Boardman resumed his examination as
| follows
o-what was the most important thing that came be-
fore the Board Of Aldermen in 1887 A'-The electric
| light franchises.
Estate how 1t up what it involved. what action
was taken BY the Board at first and then acrward and
generally explain this whole TO the committee from
beginning to end AIN the beginning OF inc year The
matter OF electric lighting in the hands OF Two COM
ranes the Brush United States Soon after the
Of the BOARD six companies Northern
Ncw.Yok the wateIbousc the American. the Ball and
applied for permission to light the cy-at least
for franchises compete with the othcr companies Inc
matter was referred Law Committee which contained
only one lawyer although there were three lawyers In e
Beard not counting PRESIDENT 1t stayed there Tor
some time. The minority OF the committee wished to re-
port in favor Of giving permission.
O-who were the minority A-James T. van
p.rns-anr The other members outvotcd him. Finally,
about the 1st OF March 1887 the minority man moved TO
discharge the Committee from further consideration Of
the subject and made long speech during which time
some OF the members Senate were themselves In tho
chamber At the end Of his speech outyo ted.
There were four Affirmative for dischargnc the Law
Committee from consideration Of the electric lighting iran
chises TO allow competition ana hileeh negative
votes.
| O-Who voted in the anrmativcl AIR. Van Rens
selaor MIR. Sanford Mr. Beekman and Mr. Conkling
O-Then what happcncd7 Q.-These fifteen men held
together for long time opposing competition the matter
still remaining in the committee for the sake Of identihca
,on If the Corporation Counsel does object, would
be glad to name these the combine-not that
mean that they all criminals, or all acted from I'M
proper motives.
Mr. Clark-Dcnnc the word combine as you mean to
ust
Mr. Conkng-I the members who voted together
in opposition to the electric franchise
o.-You don't it in offensive sonse7 A-NoI
criminal that some were actnatcd BY improper
motives.
Mr. Boardman-what being paid by the city for
electric light before this tmel A-sevcnty cents per
night per lamp
Glad there been any advertising for proposals to light
the city for that year Al believe there had but the
BIDS be acted upon until the first Of May.
o.-But had put in the lowest bid what company
AT that time contracts were not ready to let I"e
urjce wa, 20 cents per lamp. While this matter of the
six companies in suspense the East liver Electro
Lighting Company applied for franchise. and IL was
rushed through the Board despite the protest " the
minority We knew nothing about It, and asked to have
IL laid over for five LOOK into the franchise but
The minority ouyoed and the franchise was rushed
through.
o.whose company was tha,l Al don't know how
TO describe IT, wa, tod there quite number Of
rotcaus belonging it-rcmbcrs OF the County DLoc
racy. The East River Company offered to light for 90
cents prospective price was reduced from 40 cents 10
30 cents On the 9th Of March Of the gentlemen
who had chung the mt lorty in opposition TO the iran
chscs but aerNasd left them, told me that an IN
famous proposition made 10 him ana u'e bo'Tu o.
Aldermen for certain purpose In regard 10 The
electric light franchise Cd not AK MN iuI detl-
was sufficiently satisfied hear that Infamous lroIo-
son had been made. Then the Board appointed s '.al
meetings consider the matter Of clectfciN lhe p'''
took up charged certain members with improper motives
and raised the crv Of "Boode." The Gas Commission
suspended the BIDS open and held OF. expecting
that the conpanlc- would be allowed to compete
and finally the matter franchises faVcIabis
reported the carly pant u May. lie ok cnniaA.'s
we're allowed to compete.
At last the application vas favoabY reported and tho
leaders factions OF the Democratic party inf'
extent. At least one Of The mrn who hd
together tod me he had been sent for hf
his political boss the i"sder Of the "f"nih''on' ana
asked TO explain his conduct. On the 9th Of Nay the
four minority men were Joined by men. and The
six franchises were passed. making vote Of - -
Two held u the lat. one q them explained bic
vote. lie said Il heard the - boz de- iaIsr.
here. 1 aint seen none" tLapghtefj Thee We" Bis
exact words. The other member said he would not vote
for competition reduc. the cost q fl'cuic Nrh' un'-
the six companies furnished lights 70 Individual consumers
the price that they furnished HIGHT U tho city
10 90 back 70 the East River Company tn Alderman
who active in that ma.,er wa s'ockho.dof.
/ say that because a gentleman. how dead tod n that
this member had him that he stock
holder, that he had seen this member hold 'citli.
Gates Of stock Ia his hand. and boast that he
pany. and controlled the Board Of Aldermen H. Notd
on this matter not only violation Of rules which
prevent member from voting who 10 interested nut Az"
In violation Of the Consolidation Act which prevents
member the Council being Interested IA matter
before lie Joined by one Of tn
members Committee, and the two seemed n be
determined prevent the Other six companies iom getting
q franchise.
The result persistence Of the minority was that
the reduced from hity cent to twenty
five cents per lamp per night and estimate that during
the ensuing call II the fiscal year from NAY
to MAY following. about $4,000 "aH saN'd by inc
action Of the minority IN insisting competition.
OSo that the final result that this business was
thrown opcn to public Competition and Of these com
ranle half the amount Of the o"ct
bid received by the city before the others were let Ii
Ayes. sir
o.-Durng the following year did important
matter come before the Board1 Ayes. me
Matter Of the New.Yolk and Long lsano
Railroad Company which asked permission TO tuhhel 'n
Last River; the request Of The Sixth Avenue h',ioH'
Company for permission to extend their tracks, "hu one
Or two other applications for franchises.
GLOW about the application Of the Julien i"c''r
| Light Co. TO motors AIN the early part o' 1''
year the New-Nork and Harlem Railroad Company APP
piled permission to run electric cars Oh '"'" ''
from the Posoncc along Fourth and Madison a'es.
great deal Unreasonable opposition at once maoo
to the julien electric motor The franchise Ike that o
the electric light franchise in the previous Board, wa
not considered on merits. The application was re-
ferrcd TO the Committee Railroads About the Isl OIL
March about haf the Aldermen went the trial ear
from CITY Hall to MadsonaVc. and some Of the men WHO
,fterward opposed the electric motor admitted that the
car was quite a success and great Improvement The
matter STAYED with Committee Railroads until the
middle OF May. / the committee. IL was very
hard to get a meeting Some Of the opponents Of the
measure would be time and II the other members
were minute late. would so away THEE men favored
the measure four opposed IT, Finally The three who
favored the motor joined by fourth man.
who never gave any at all against 1t, simply hold
ing of from some mysterious motive. He finally signed
favorable report Four OF the signed IL fayorsby
The Ability TO Bear Pain