The herald., 1894-11-27
council MEETING AT PASADENA
Che Southern Pacific Franchise
at Last Passed.
A Big Fight Over Granting the
Right Of Way.
\ Large Amount OF Public Business
TrAnsAcesd-Sooisl Naws-Psr-
sonals aud Local
Mention.

and the application OF the Southern
Pacific company for q franchise up
Broadway avenue as far as Colorado
street is granted by the following vote:
Ayes, Cox, Weed and Weshburn; noes,
Luksns and Hamilton.
After month of heated discussion,
pro end con, the matter was finally
brought to climax this afternoon and
o. predicted by the HERALD, the fran
chise was granted. The vote recorded
above shows how the council stood on
this important matter and the citizens
may draw their own conclusions.
After all the display OF defending the
interests Of property owners and the
declarations of fidelity to the principles
OF arbitration which have been made
by every member OF 1he board without
exception, when it came to the point
only two mem bers could be found who
had the backbone to stand up and de-
mand that the rights of our citizens
should be respected. the granting OF
the application was q complete back
down in every respect. The company
was simply told to take possession of
the street. leaving the property owners
to struggle out az best they could. 1t
should, however, not be supposed that
the foregoing vote was reached with no
opposition. On the contrary the meets
ing today was fight from start to finish
with NO lack of interest.
Al usual the lobby was filled with in
terested parties. Mr.. Muir of the
Southern Pacific was en- hand and took
= lively part In the proceedings.
Judge Reed started the ball rolling
with Z lengthy speech In favor of giving
the company everything that it asked
for. and letting the property owners
fight for their rights in the courts. He
was an American citizen and believed
every one could get justice in the courts.
He didn't believe that there was any
thing to arbitrate, and wanted to see
the company get into Pasadena. In
closing he moved that the application of
the Southern Pacific company for fran
chiae be granted.
This positive move had decidedly
enliveniMg effect upon the opposition,
and speeches came thick and fast.
Mr.. Forsy waslfrst on deck. He
thought the matter was not one OF ex~
pediency but OF right. and that the
council shoHld see that the city was
we'll projected and not turned over to
the Southern Pacific company bound
hand and foot. He ridiculed the lea
OF a mammoth station, and commended
that the coming of the road would be OF
no benefit TO the city. The company
had. he stated, an old release, signed by
a number of property owners, to the de.
funct Rapid Transit company to use the
street, and acquired by the Southern
Pacific company, which it proposed to
use to knock out damage suits in the
courts.
Nj. Muir afterward stated that such
was the case, and that his company con.
sidered the contract binding.
Councilman Hamilton came next. He
thought there had been too much talk
ing altogether over the matter. There
was only one just thing to do. and that
was to arbitraJe the matter OF damages.
He would never vote to allow the COM
pany to come in until every property
owner had been settled with who was
willing to come to an agreement. "They
have no more right to demand this
street than any individual. and should
be willing to arbisrate the damages. The
franchise 10 worth $4,000 to them. We
have them under control now, and should
make them settle up"
OOioBol Ouo vi Iubuueuk g
earliest settlers, put in q strong plea
that the council do not act hurriedly in
the matter. There was plenty of time.
He was OF the opinion that the Salt Lax
railroad would seek shortly to enter the
city, and thought the Southern Pacific
was trying to block them out. The road
as at present contemplated he did not
think would pay for running expenses.
There mugt be some motive behind it.
Mayor Lukens was the next speaker.
He came out fat footed and stated that
he maintained the position which he
had taken from the first, that the COM
pany should be compelled to arbitrate
and would never vote to allow the COM
pany to come in otherwise. This state
msnt was greeted by applause from the
lobby.
Councilman Cox spoke briefly favor
ing the motion of Mr.. Weed to grant
the application. and Mr.. Washburn did
likewise.
A number of other gentlemen were
heard, including the attorney for the
Santa Fe, before vote was finally taken,
with result as given above.
This, however, does not end the mat.
ter. and the property owners have not
yet given up hope.
Alter advertlaing the franchise an or.
dinance must be passed awarding it to
the successful bidder. To do this re-
quires vote of four-one more than
the company has yet obtained. How it
will end remains to be seen.
PUBLIC PARKS.
The following report was received
from the committee on procuring bids
for public parks-a matter of general liz.
terest.
The following propositions were re =
eeived:
Charles Legge, 6.67 acres on Ray
mond avenue between Walnut and Lo.
Gust, $4,000. The proposition is ac.
oompanied by written agreement on
the part of the property owners on Ray
mond to pave that avenue between Col.
orRdo and Chestnut street and to widen
It on the west side 10 feet opposite the
proposed park in case the bid is &C.
cepted, making the full width 65 feet.
This site embraces the square on which
the public library is located and is MI
Legge's present home place.
O. H. Rhodes. IS acres east of Lake
avenue ard north of the south city
boundary, $4,000.
S. g. Reed, acres on the northw est
corner Of Colorado street and Vernon
avenue, with agreement to open Ter
race drive through to Kensington place,
$4,000.
W. R. Stats, 100 40 acres, comprising
hA l. Ill