The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-10-07
PUBLIC FRANCHISES.
The Tendency Of the Times II to NM
nicipal Ownersh4p.

nicipsl OwnershGp.
Louisville Dispatch.
The question Of Improvement in the
tracted widespread attcntion In recent
years. and there have been various move
ments for improvement with more or less
success. II nothing more tangible has been
accomplished, there has at least. been
aroused more healthy public sentiment
In reference TO the functions Of the munich
pal authority. and there are signs cropping
out almost daily indicating that the pop
War mind Is at last turning into the
proper channel. The source OF the great
est abuses has been In the granting Of
public franchises to individuals and to cor
porations The sentiment for municipal
control Of light and water supply and street
transportation Is becoming so strong that
the question Of municipal ownership may
be expected to become the dominant issue
In municipal politics throughout the coun-
try. Those who are financially interested
In keeping these powers, properly belonging |
to the functions OF government. In the
hands OF private corporations, realize that |
their interests are threatened, as Is evil !
denced by letter sent out with a view |
Of influencing the action OF the mayors |
convention. which recently met in Column
bus Ohio. The letter is as follows:
private and Confidential.)
General Electric Company. New York,
bly, you are aware, a National meeting or
convention OF mayors and councilmen and
other officials OF various cities OF the
United States will be held in Columbus,
Ohio, on the 2Sth. ! have Information to
the effect that extraordinary efforts will be
made to have the convention declare in ia
vor OF municipal ownership OF street rail-
ways gas and electric lighting companies
and similar corporations-or, at least, to
place heavier burdens on them.
IL Is expected that the city officials
VINO favor the theory mentioned will
constitute the majority in attendance, un-
less speedy and extraordinary efforts are
made to secure the attendance of officials
who view the matter in different light.
would suggest you sound the officials
u other interested corporations in your
NY and secure the attendance OF city
'riicials who do not believe in municipal
and operations as against cor
,orations.
/ am sending this letter out at the re-
Iuest OF friends representing large street
aiiway and lighting interests. who do
lot desire TO be officious In matters d.
ectiy affecting their interests Yours.
William j. Clarke,
Gen. Man. Cen Elec. Co.
ihis effort, however, was failure. for
ne mayors. by large majority adopted {
esolntions favoring municipal ownership
he st. Louis Post Dispatch prints ey-
ressions from the mayors of a number Of
tues including Mayor Harrison of Chi {
ago and the mayor OF San Francisco de-
iaring for municipal ownership Of public
Institutions, including street RAILWAYS The
c.lcn or the Tammany convention and
.ner democratic organizations In Greater
saw YORK In taking an advanced posltion
n tins question Is significant of the ten
ency OF the times. The tools of the l
loney power will endeavor- t, resist the I
athraI evolution Of the municipal gov !
" ment. Their newspaper organs will de- S
uu"ce TINS movement as socialistic and as !
l.erierihg with the vested rights. for the I
onceru 'N"eA y
Ihe first test OF strength on this Issue r
IN come In the municipal contest In New I
OK me opposition to democracy--or I
lie money power-has two candidates. I
EN- Low, the millionaire university presi-
emu, and General Tracy. the tool of Tom
,app' corporation lawyer. and man &
49,, 30 GARY OF tne navy, was domi !,
atod by the Standard Oil pirates. Unfor- b
lna,eiy, the democrats Re divided. The e
reed for the spoils OF Office stands In tho a
ay or decisive step forward by tho g
,eatest municipality in the country. II D
opposition to the plutocracy could he o
nited In support of Henry George. Greater c.
ew York would begin its career most aus u
eiousiy. She would honor herself in u
ming Mr.. George to the first place in her d
'vernment. and all friends of humanity =
"a genuine progress would look forward ie
I'm hope and rejoicing for an adminis |.
auon ahat would be shining example to ~
g whole country. &C
| IN