The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-04-23
WITH AN AMENDMENT.
The Common Council Finally Concurs
With the Board.
THE UNION RAILROAD BONDS.
Special Session Yesterday Afternoon TO
Considsr the Resolution Passed by the
Board Thursdsy- Speeches by Vaughan,
Mccarthy, yose, rarkhurst and Others.

The Common Council was called to
meet In special session at 3 o'clock yester-
day afternoon by a warrant from the
mayor.
President Watson called the Council to
order and read the warrant at which mo-
ment the message from the mayor ap-
peared The message was as follows:
10 fAs Honorable Common Council
GExrLEMEN--I have deemed II OF sufficient Inn
portance 20 convene you at this time. that you may
take into consideration the matter OF Joint resolu-
II ihsir last meeting in regard % an act now end
Ing RSs ,sS csssss In the interests
Very respecttyiiy por.rr, >,.,..u
The resolution was the one appointing a
committee to oppose the bill now before
the General Assembly, favorable to the
Union Railroad Company.
Mr. Mccarthy moved that the council
concur with the board in the passage of
the resolution.
Mr.. Parkhurst hoped that IL would not
lie concurred in, mt least without due con-
sideration. The passage of the resolution
indicates "A distrust by the board of alder
men OF the members of the common coun-
Gil. The opposition TO the. Union Rail
road is factious and is only because IL is a
corporation. IL IN well-known that the
corporation cannot do its business il it
does not have certain rights and privi-
leges They are only striving TO place
themselves on equal footing with corpo-
rations in other cities
Mr. Darcy said he had perfect conf
dence in the ability and judgment of the
gentlemen appointed at the last meeting
10 look out for the interests of the city.
Mr. Clarke asked for the reading of the
resolution passed at the last meeting of
the common council. 1t was accordingly
read.
Mt. vosc asked for the reading of the
communication from the Union Railroad
Company
Mr.. Vaughan said that he thought the
privileges of the Union Railroad were
necessary for the good of the people and
for the interests OF the growth OF the city.
He did not like the apparent distrust in
the action of the board.
Mr. Barstow did not think the Board of
Aldermen meant TO do anything in OPP
position To the Common Council. The
resolution was passed in the Common
Council in too much OF hurry at the last
meeting and their action was right and
should be indorsed.
Mr.. Miller cited the instance of the
Camp street route where the Union Rail
road wanted large barn from the abut-
ting owners before they would build, but
coming into the city over that route, they
built the road pretty soon, which shows
says Mr.. Wilson, that the Union Railroad
Company wants its bread buttered on
both sides.
Mr.. Burdick did not think that the
question had been considered enough.
The company Is u very good one but they
were sometimes little TOO grasping. He
hoped that the resolution could be laid on
the table temporarily.
Mr.. Mccarthy said that the Union Rail
road Company wanted to get a twenty or
Hxfx-s y. xxfsth
dealings with the city of Providence
This meeting was called by the mayor be-
cause of the hasty action of the council at
its last meeting. Some of the members
knew OF the results Of the action but did
not intend that the others should under
stand. and this accounts for the railroad
ing through of the communication from
the Union Railroad Company. The COM
mittee appointed on special franchises
had found that they could not levy tax
on corporations without their consent.
They were then directed to apply to the
would permit them to do SO, and the re-
suit Is the franchise act now on the statute
books 1t was not the intention that the
council should understand the act and
that was accomplished.
The Union Railroad Company intended
to bond their road at the very time they
applied for long franchise and tho pres
ent franchise act leaves the city in a worse
plight than 1t was before. The Union
Railroad Company wants the exclusive
right OF the streets and then they are not
willing to give transfer tickets. The
company claims that it cannot raise the
money to equip its road with electricity
unless IL bonds il, but with such
n paying investment IL seems |
that many investors would be
glad to get the stock, and it could all be |
sold In Rhode Island IL the capital stock |
&ro fnc ba
ing the Union Railroad will amount to |
the same thing as to grant a franchise |
for the same length Of time. The act now |
before the General Assembly is very un- |
equal In its effects, as IL takes from the |
city OF Providence the right to order up |
tracks without giving an equivalent priv |
tlege and one equal in value. In fact, il |
the city could not offer an equal privilege |
they could not order them to move
Then as to transfer tickets, the city |
council has been informed that no trans |
fers can be issued at present even il the |
twenty-five year franchise was granted
and the city ought to have the right to
oblige the company to grant transfers.
Mr.. Vose called for the reading of the |
resolution passed by the board OK alder |
men. After 1t was read Mr.. vose said |
that the question was not on the franchise
act but on the resolution. The Union
Railroad company had informed the city |
council of their intention to ask the Gen
eral Assembly for an amendment 10
their charter and asked the city
council to cooperate with them.
The men who were appointed on
the committee To 20 to the General AS
sembly are fully capable of looking
after the interests OF the city aud IL they
are not, it Is time some one else was ap-
pointed in tbeir places. The Union Rail
road Company must ask for thing i'm
order to get III and IL a little reciprocity
svQrQ nuai the eettlenapt vnte,ht H., |
reached more easily. The company Is
not desirous OF breaking over the bounds
OF the contracts already in force. and why
should the city council be hostile to the
company.
Mr.. Vose then read this letter:
PROVIDENCE. r.. l.. April &c, 1902.
George L. vose. Esq
DEAR SIR In response % many inquiries we viii
say that this company will be willing a. heretofore
oppressed. 70 conclude contract with the city OF
provldence for franchise under'1he provisions Of
Shapter we Of the Public Laws upcn the terms sub
mlued by ~ 70 the Joint special commlttes OF the
CITY Council during the year 1891 not twithrfandng