The record-union., 1891-08-01
P STREET PERSEVERANCE.
The Residents There Determined to
Have an Electric Road.
A Big Mass Meeting at the Haymarket
Speeches by Prominent Citizens
Trustees Arraigned.


legend:
MASS MEETrNG.-A public meeting viii be
held at Sixteenth and streets, Friday even
Ing, July 81, 1891, for the purpose of express
ing the viii of the people on the building OF
the proposed electric railway on street, and
the refusal, thus far, of the City Trustees to
grant a franchise for such railway.
In accordance with this call an i'm
mense crowd of people gathered last night
at the haymarket. A speakers stand,
draped in national colors had been erected
in the southwestern corner of the square,
and in front of it were arranged large
number of seats for the ladies.
The Artillery Band occupied the stand
and played several national airs, before
the meeting was called to order.
Everything was orderly, and the people
who We're there were as rule represent
ative citizens and property-owners.
THE SPEAKING BEGINS.
J. w. Hughes called the meeting to
order. He said it was with great pleasure
that he looked upon the vast throng
which had come to express it's sentiments
on the p street electric road proposition.
He said it was not the intention of the
meeting to condemn anybody. They had
the right, however, to criticise and COM
ment on the actions Of those who had the
city's affairs in charge. Mr.. Hughes
then introduced S. KatzenStein as Chair
man of the evening.
Mr.. katzenstein reiterated what Mr..
Hughes had said about not gathering for
the purpose of giving vent to harsh
words. He said that the people of p
street.-The property-owners and tax
payers-wanted an electric road on their
street, and the Central Street Railway
Company were anxious to build the road.
The entire road would be inside the
Fourth Ward, yet three Trustees-two
from the Second Ward and one from the
Third-said they should not have it,
This, he said, looked very strange. All
the P-street people wanted was justice.
WILLIAM BoYNE's VIEWS.
The Chairman then introduced Will
lam Boyne as the first speaker of the
evening. Mr.. Boyne began by speaking
of the great advantages of street rail-
roads in general. a great many years
ago a road was built on l street to Agri-
cultural Park. II it were not for the
flood Of 1862 l street would to-day be the
business street of Sacramento. He also
referred TO the transformation of K and
streets when the street railroads were laid
down. These were horse-car lines and
Were very good in their day. But a new
era had come. Horse cars were now be-
hind the times. The people of P street
had seen what the electric road had done
for street and the suburbs of the city,
and had petitioned the Trustees to allow
the same road to extend on our street
But the Trustees had said no. This was
wrong. When the people elected men to
office TO do the bidding Of the people they
had right TO expect justice and fairness
from them. Applause and Cheers Con-
tInulng, Mr.. Boyne said he was not
property-owner on p street. but
like all good citizens of other localities he
had the interests of P street and the rest
a rf toll Of
new charter If one should be agreed
upon, it should permit all sections of the
city TO be represented in the city's gov
ernment. The speaker said that while
he believed that Mr.. Carey was one of the
best citizens of the city, he was behind
the times. He had not kept his promises
with the city, and had no right TO expect
the people to repoSe confidence in him or
extend him further favors. Applause
When people like Mr.. Carey got hold Of
franchises and then broke faith with the
people, then it was time to invite foreign
capital and enterprise to Sacramento
lApplause. Such a time had arrived,
and now the people were demanding
their rights. Mr.. Boyne said that the
people should go before the Trustees on
Monday and once more appeal for ius-
tice. 1t made no difference to whom the
franchise was granted.
Chairman katzenstein read letters of
regret from DR.. ]. II. Parkinson and
Frank d. Ryan. The former was absent
on account of sickness, and the latter was
IN Stockton attending to the Allen in
quest.
SENATOR DRAY TALKS.
Senator Il. r. Dray was then intro
duced. He was received with cheers,
The Senator said he only appeared before
the assemblage as q PLAIN, ordinary citi-
zen who had the interests Of the city at
heart. lie did not have dollars worth
of interest on street, yet he was in
hearty sympathy with the people of p
street in their demands for Justice The
electric road system had been demon
strated to be success-that is, the over
head system. Sacramento had seen one
electric road failure, and naturally when
the new system was first proposed it met
with opposition. But it was finally ad-
mitted, and it had demonstrated for itself
1hat It was the most successful street rail-
way system now in existence. Loud
cheering.
But we have another side of the ques-
ton TO look at" continued Mr. Dray. ''It
has been set forth that by granting this
franchise the old company-which he un-
derstood intended TO adopt the electric
system-would be crippled. / don't know
whether there is anything in that or not.
/ only give il as defense that is made by
the other side. / am in favor. though, of
throwing all the streets open to any fran
Chiscs that should DO asked for IT will
do no harm. Business men will not seek
franchises and lay out their money unless
they see q good investment
Rev. J. A. Mayhem was the next
speaker called upon. The reverend gen
teman said he was not prepared to make
2 lengthy speech. He came, like all the
rest, to express the sentiments of the
residents of Z street. He could not, like
the preceding speakers, say he had no
pecuniary interest in = street. He owned
property there, and realized that an cleo
trio road on that street would enhance
values and bring about a wonderful
transformation. But il would be selfish
10 look at the matter only in this light
The entire city was interested as much as
the people of z street in having an cleo
trio road on p street The entire city
was interested in having as many rail-
ways as possible.
Mr.. Gattman, of the Liquor Dealers
Association, appeared on the rostrum and
informed the people that his association
had adjourned its meeting so as to be
present at the mass meeting. He invited
all To be present at the liquor mems meet
ing this evening at the Clunie Opera
house.
GRAVE STATE OF AFFAIRS.
Matt. +. johnson was the next speaker
lntroduced by Chairman katZenstein.
M. Johnson said that grave state of af-
fairs presented itself. An energetic, en-
terpnslng capitalist had appeared in Sac
Tamento and offered to expend thousands
and thousands of dollars in improving
the city: lie had gone before the Trus-
tees and asked for that privilege. The
people had gone with him, and
said: 1--WE are glad of this-this
is what we want.n But, instead
of showing an interest in the welfare of