Morris tribune., 1896-12-30
ELECTRIC LIGHTS.
The City Council Considers the
Proposition and Appoints
a Committee.

cOuHcll ueIu meeGluSs anu tue llOSU
important business hat came before
it was the granting of an electric
light franchise, which was discussed
pro and con and considerable figur-
ing done. What appeared to be the
main question was, whether it would
be advisable for the council to agree
to contract which would necessitate
a slight additional expense and have
the city lighted in decent manner,
or to continue on in darkness. A
committee of three was appointed to
investigate different systems and re-
port at the next meeting.
The city at present has fortyfour
oil lamps, which, to tell the truth, are
a little better than no light at all,
which are maintained at an expense
TO the city of about $40 per month.
The proposition of Mr.. Fowler, and
which is now under consideration by
the council, is to light the city with
five arc-Iights and twenty 20-candle
power incandescent lights at an ex-
pense to the city of $50 per month,
which is so far superior over the pres
ent system that it is hard to make
comparison In order to get true
and correct opinion of many of our
prominent business men and taxpay-
ers, we have interviewed the fol low
| ing aud give an exact quotation of
each:
Senator E. J. Jones-I am in favor
of electric lights, but not being ac-
quainted with the conditions of the
proposition cannot give an opinion.
E. L. Healy-It is shame that a
town Of this size has neither electric
lights nor waterworks. 1t keeps peo-
pie away from locating here. am
decidedly in favor of the proposition
and will utilize the lights if a plant
is put in.
E. McAyeal- Why, certainly | am
in favor of it.
G, r. C. Johnson-If | can light
my store for 80 cents per light per
month [ will do so. | consider $50
per month for street lighting very
reasonable.
}. ]. Cairney-It is all right and
very good thing, | also think it will
be a great benefit to the city.
A. P. Dye-I think it will be a
good thing, but doubt its paying
the promoter.
L. G. Spooner-I am decidedly in
favor of encouraging some one in
putting in an electric light plant
any one who will put in a good plant
and give good service.
r. II. Grace think it is a good
opportunity for the city to gain val
liable acquisition. twill undoubted-
ly raise the value of all property in
Morris.
Justin Berkin-You can put me
down as decidedly in favor of it.
James Grifhth--The present sys-
tenn is a nuisance and [ think we
ought to have electric lights.
J. E. Danielson-It is a very good
thing, and if not to expensive we
ought to have it.
T. J. Moore-I am satisfen with
anything that as right, and am in
favor of electric lights,
Samuel Larson do not know
anything about the proposition, but I
think We can get along withoun cleo
trio lights.
Louis Thoele-I think it is about
time this city was doing something
in the way of public improvements.
AS tits, we are about fifteen years be-
hind the times.
Judge G. L. Brown think the
business men ought to encourage Mr..
Fowler in this move. It is good
thing and a good advertisement for
the city.
Fl. L. Smith would like to see it
go through. do not think the pro-
position at all exorbtiant.
E. B. Gullett-A good thing and
good move in the right direction, and
cheap enough,
James Dudley think we ought to
have better lights.
H. III. Wells-I am in favor of cleo
trio lights and think we ought to en-
courage it in business way.
Judge Darling think we ought
to have more and better lights, and if
we pay more we ought to have more
light.