The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-08
How It Throttles Freedom of
Action in Tacoma.
rrLow SOUNDS THE ALARM.
Exciting Scenes at Meeting to Dis
cuss the Water Purchase Job.
1oFeed e Advocate the Scheme to
Bay-startling Allsgstions Are Cur
rent IN Tooomo.

TACOMA, April z-fspecialEIt 10 al
legged that the Light and Water Company
have expended $4,000 since Monday to
carry the election in favor Of the purchase
OF the water plant. and that 500. 900 more,
making $50. 600, will be spent between now
and Monday night. The only tangible
proof of this is that the active politicians
herstofore opposing the purchase have
within tho past three days Topped and are
working for the purchase; also that sew
eral lawyers and speakers have suddenly
become active advocates Of purchase.
All local newspapers, except the Sun,
Populist. are carrying the water
company's large advertisements IA
vorable to the purchase, and are
either silent or openly advocate the pur-
chase. Those opposing the purchase have
no funds, and either have to pay cash for
news notices Of their public meetings or
announce the same through circulars. A
lively fight is expected tomorrow night at
Edison, where the Northern Pacific car
shops are located. Several other mass
meetings will he held tomorrow and Mon
day. Those actively fighting the purchase
assert that If the water company can col
onize 5000 repeaters in the heart of the
city it can carry the election. One of its
strongest supporters and workers is said to
be the notorious Ole Oleson, who was en-
gagged last fall in buying votes here.
The fight between the corporation and
the people came to a climax tonight in the
Seventh ward. Councilman John w.
Berry. who has heretofore been against
purchasing the water plant at the price
asked, and who has stated that there was
s., ,00O. 900 in the deal. made speech favor-
ing the proposition. saying, among other
things.
II you don't Go II. you win have the Northern
Pacific railroad, the Tacoma Land Company
and the Tacoma Light and Water Company,
representing quarter Of the value Of the city,
against you.
He admitted that the price asked accord
ing was 500. 600 more than he could figure
the property worth. Ex-Councilman J.
D. Caughran said it was case of choosing
one of two roads, in tho taking of either of
which the people would probably be sorry
for. Still be believed it the best policy to
buy at the price asked. Then the excite
ment began.
A. r. Titlow wanted to know II the tax
payers would allow corporations to throt-
tie them and compel them to buy the
water plant for 81, $50. 600, when the prop
erty represented An actual value Of less
than $500. 600. He continued:
II We allow the corporations to throttle N
now we will never hereafter b able 70 throw
them of When the corporations say you must
buy, viii You yieldf The Northern Pacific rail.
road. which gives Seattle and Portland better
freight rates than your own town, says you
must buy. And viii you obsyf The Land Com
pAny. the Light and Water Company say you
must buy. They have You BY the throat Will
you obey them or shake them o6f
Great uproar and applause continued
during Tltlow's speech. One man
shouted: ''Oh, the Light and Water
Company has not bought you, that's ALL"
TItlow said:
No, and 1t can't buy ma II you knew how I
have been pressed today BY 1t. and how have
resisted, you would know why am glad to-
night
"But they threaten to make you move"
Councilman Berry exclaimed.
Eyes, they have tried. +" Titlow rejoined
in great anger, "but d-n them, they can't
make me-" Applause lasting three or
four minutes greeted this outburst of
wrath. The speeches had been limited to
fifteen minutes, but Titiow was encour-
aged to 90 on for three times that period,
although others OF the water company's
attorneys and speakers not yet heard were
there cooked and primed to advocate the
purchase Of the plant.
The Seventh Is ono Of the sewerless
wards represented in the council by Berry.
When the water company's agents went
there tonight they thought the Seventh
e. .<~Rkx
they left, they thought it would go against
them.
John A. Shackleford, OF the Seventh
ward, stated after the meeting that the
agents Of the water company and corpora
tions had today endeavored to compel
him to stop opposing the purchase, ana
notifying him that the city must buy. He
refused to ''lay down."
Swarms of water bugs are abroad in
the city. They are consumed with
red-hot discussion of the water
proposition from A to z. Some are
preiudiced in favor Of the proposition
70 buy the water plant for 81, $50, go: 9TH
ers are prejudiced against the proposition.
Every undecided voter is the legitimate
victim Of both the anti and the pro-water
capper.
Today the latest scheme OF those who
are industriousiy at work TO unload the
water plant at what the anti-water bugs
denounce as two prices, made its appear.
ance. and consists of list of all the bust.
ness men who will sign an approval of tho
plan to buy. This, however, is but one OF
scores Of its kind.
About the most amusing feature of the
whole situation Is the lively manner in
which the water company's agents are
hustling for votes. while the nominal man.
agement Of that corporation announces
that it il not anxious to sell. Last week
1t looked a. il the water company and its
scheme to sell out to the city would carry.
Early this week it seemed public opinion
had turned against the proposition. This
nerved the water company to renewed
efforts. and it and its friends are today
making most lively scramble.
Last night the water company's workers
arranged for . packed" meeting in the
south end. A man who tried to talk
against the proposition to sell was
threatened with being run out" 1t was
reported on the streets today that he had
actually been thrown out OF the meeting
place. A. z. Titlow, the man referred to.
was asked about il. He said:
They wanted 70 put me out, but would not
Co. had my Gay and before I got through
had the most Of them shouting Tor me- No.
was not thrown ont
Other meetings have been called. Both
sides have induIged in secret meetings.
MANY business men who at heart are on