St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-03-04
COUNCIL ERRED.
Such Is the General Expression
Touching Rejection of the
Lowry Ordinance.
Business Men Who Would Talk
Regret the Action OF Thurs
day Night.

indignant at the action of the city council
Thursday evening in refusing to allow
the franchise asked by Thomas Lowry.
Tney are not familiar with the technical
tiles in the matter, and great many OF
them, although expressing their disgust,
refused to be quoted by reporter for the
GLOBE who called on them yesterday
FOR the purpose of getting expressions
of opinion from them. They would say
that, while they considered it a shame.
they could not afford to be quoted for
the reason that they were not familiar
were approached, however. said they
were in favor of the action of the coun-
Gil. The voting down of the ordinance
was almost invariably condemned.
The general reticence of the business
men, together with the expression that
they were not familiar with the ordi
nance, precluded the collection of many
interviews. but they all said, If it were
not for the fact that there might be
some technical flaw in the ordinance as
drafted and proposed to the council,
they were in favor of allowing it to
pass.
The general sentiment seemed to be
that although Mr.. Lowry had been al
lowed asnumber of privileges, he had
not abused them, but he had advanced
the interests of the city in every man.
ner possible, and had taken on his
shoulders the responsibility of expend-
ing large amounts of money for the
building and constructing of number
of lines which would never pay, at least
for some time. The following are few
expressions of opinion which could be
secured from business men who were
willing to be quoted,
p. II. Kelly-After fairly complete
examination of the ordinance am in
clined to believe the council committed
agrave error in so acting as to indefi-
nlteiy postpone the ordinance. 10 me 1t
seemed far and reasonable measure,
which might safely be adopted. The
interests of the public, l am convinced.
were sufficiently safeguarded to make
the quibbling over transfers regretta-
bic piece of business. A ride of ten
miles for 10 cents ought to satisfy any
citizen. | believe it is as cheap as the
rate i'll any city i'll the country. and
am willing to assert we have as good
street railway system as can be found
in the land. The council should have
passed the ordinance.
j. l.. Lovering-In my opinion the
council was justified in It's position that
the present transfer system be maiu-
tanned intact. 1 have heard no good
reason advanced for Surrenderng any
part of the rights the public is fortunate
enough to possess at present.
Judge John NJ. Gilman-To my mind
it was great mistake to reject the ordi-
nalfce. Its provisions were equitable in
an eminent degree. One cent mile
for ten-mle ride ought to satisfy any
body. The councils action is deplOr-
able. The reform council is a disap-
pOintment.
Il. A. Lanpher-I am of the impress
sion that the council should have passed
it. will admit that L am not familiar
with the technicalities Of the situation,
but think that the best interests of
the people should be observed The
chamber of commerce advised its pas
sage, and the gentlemen who compose
that body are working for the interests
of the city and the people.
George NJ. Gage, of the Firm Of W. J.
Dyer IL Co.-The council should not
have refused to do anything with the
matterras it is in the interests of the
people. They should have arranged
some sort of compromise with Mr..
Lowry. The transfer system has been
abolished in the city of Minneapolis,
and st. Paul is asking much more from
Mr.. Lowry than his own city. This is
in favor OF the other city.
Mr.. Brown, of Brown, Treacy e Co.
We should have all of the street car
lines that are necessary, and | think,
above all, a cross-tOWn line. There is
10 reason why the people who desire to
take certain lines should be compelled
to come down town for that purpose. |
do not blame Mr.. Lowry for not desir-
ing to continue Investments where there
is no return for the present, but he has
received advantages from the city
in the manner of franchises, and he
should keep pace with the demands of
The people. All things considered, |
think that st. Paul has the best street
car system of any city in the country.
Capt. Z. S. Bean-It is an outrage on
the people not to have such an ordin-
nance passed. 1t is true that Mr.. Lowry
has been given certain valuable fran
chises, but he has done more for the
city Of st. Paul in using them than any
other man in the city would have done.
1t was i'll tile interests of the PEG pie,
and the members of the council should
have observed it.
Harry Ash, Manager Corticelli Silk
Oompany-It was a grave mistake not
to pass the ordinance. The people de-
manded that something be done, and
their wishes should have been observed.
1t was all outrage.
Thomas Foley-While it would help
me personally, and my opinion is
biased. | am of the impression that the
ordinance should have been passed by
the city council.
Albert Adams. of the Model Laundry
While L consider that Mr.. Lowry was
allowed too many privileges al the start,
hellas not abused them and he has adj
vaBced the interests of the city to
wonderful extent. The city is we'll pro-
vided for by him, and he will do every
thing in his power to continue to do
well by us. The interests of the people
are his, and there is not another
man i'll the Northwest who would have
done the same as he has.