The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-07-19
UNDERGROUND TELEPHONE
The Proposition of the Subway
Company.
The Select Council Non-Concurs with
the Common in Granting Certain
Privileges. Citizens Protest
Against it. Conference
Committee Appointed.


-r-----
An adjourned meeting OF the Select
Council was held last night with Presi
dent Winston III the char and the fol.
lowing members present: Wrenn,
BeasleY, Cooke, Prince, Broughton,
Briggs, Bunting, Rowland.
The president stated that the meet.
ing WAS held for the purpose OF con-
sidering she telephone question and
such other business as may be brought
before il.
Clerk Stead read the ordinance
giving the Subway Company the
right to construct an under ground
telephone system in Norfolk. Also a
communication from Mr.. j. A. Kelvin,
III which he explained the proposition
of the Subway Co mpany.
The clerk also read communication
from number of citizens protesting
against granting tho franchise.
Several days ugo the Electrical Com.
panies OF Norfolk entered a protest
against granting the use of the streets
to the Subway Company, which, at the
instance of tho president, MIR. Wilcox,
read the protest, which was a very
strong paper.
Tho ordinance having been adopted
IN the Common Council by vote of IL
nyes and no nays, the clerk read the
committees report at the request of
MIR. Cooke, and MIR. Prince asked if
the various electrical companies were
allowed to appear before that commit.
tee.
MIR. Prince said the reason he asked
the question was that he saw u number
OF gentlemen present. who were inter.
ested aud that they did not have q
chance TO appear before the committee.
MIR. Cooke said they did not come be.
fore the committee and could not be
much Interested. lie SAID he thought
any body who had given any attention
knew that the committee would meet,
The presldent explained how the
committee was appointed aud how
the committee mad met, snying he did
not desre to he considered q member
OF the committee, as he was opposed to
the action of the committee, and the
report of committee was said to be
unanimous.
The Wrenn said the representatives
of tho various electrical companies did
appear before the general committee,
but not before the special committee.
MIR. Bsasley moved to concur with
the Com mon Council. The matter WIS
then discussed by Mr.. Wrenn, aud MIR.
Wilcox asking Mr.. Wrcnn n question.
MIR. Cooke protested and said Mr..
Wilcox was not IL member OF the bed
and had no right to address the body,
The President said he would request
AIR. Wilcox to refrain till more an.
prOpriate season.
Mr.. Prince said no did not intend to
reflect upon the special committee, but
he wanted all OF tue interests to have a
hearing and moved that the matter be
referred back to the commit
lee. 1t was seconded by MIR. Cooke.
AIR. Wrenn thought it best
| to have meeting of the committee of
| tho whole. SO that all can be heard.
MIR. Wrenn said he would not serve il
the question was sent back to the spe.
clal committee. Mir. Cooke endorsed
| MIR. Wrenn's remarks and said he also
would not serve on n special committee.
Mr.. Broughton thought the best
thing to do would be to nou.coucur
with the Common Conncil and ask that
the matter be cent to a committee Of
| tho whole.
MIR. Beasley said he would like to
know why the gentlemen had not ap.
peured TO protest before the Common
| Council.
The precedent said he did not think
the Councils had right to adopt q
resolution that they would not hear
citizens interested in city affairs and
then hold committee meeting without
giving them IA chance to be hsard.
Mr.. Bensley spoke Oh the question,
and said he thought the public was in.
formed. and the best thing to do
would be to pass the ordinance.
vote was taken, aud this branch
refused to concur with the common
branch by vote of 4 ayes, 8 NAYS.
The matter was then referred TO CON.
terence committee and AIessrs.
Brong hton aud Prince were appointed
from the Council.
Other matters of no general public
interest was transacted and the meet
ing adjourned.