The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-04-11
TIE I TELEPHONE QUESTION
The Argument Of Hon. D. Tucker Brooke
Before The Common Council.

speech of HoIi. D. Tucker Brooke before
the Common Council of the City Of Nor
folk OH Wednesday evening, April 7th.
1887:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen
scarcely know how or where to enter
upon the discussion from the stand
point of the interests which I in part
represent tonight, Of the question
which is pending before this Council.
I suppose that in order to be In fashion
and to follow the example which has
been SO generally set by my predeces-
sors, I ought 10 say at the outset that
I feel highly gratified and immensely
pleased at the opportunity Of appearing
before this Council and addressing them
upon the interests which are involved
in the question pending before them:
but gentlemen, cnn't say that can't
say that am glad to be here. I am
very sorry to have to be here, and I am
afraid that before get through my
feeling on that subject may be Joined
In by the audience. ! am personally
sorry to be here, because I have been
very unwell to-day-n my bed most of
the latter part Of the day-and I regret
from what seems to ME to be a higher
standpoint than any mere personal con-
sideration or personal convenience, that
1t should he neCessary-that 1t should
even seem to be necessary-to appear
before the representatives Of the city Of
>Stt1Oih " urge upon tlleEl compliance
With 4 promise-I won't call 1t a con-
tract, these gentlemen object to the
ternl-tO urge upon them compliance
with q promise deliberately made by the
city Of Norfolk, through her representa-
riveS, accepted by the interests which
represent in good faith. lived up to by
them conscientinusly, and which has
proved beneficial to the citizens of Nor
folk.
say I regret that there should be
any apparent necessity for appearing
before the representatives Of the city Of
Norfolk to urge upon them compliance
with such promise, for In all the maze
and mistiness which surrounds this
question. for In the ineNtrcable laby-
rinth of.facts and theories In which we
become involved, when we undertake to
discuss it, there are some facts which
If not conceded, at least cannot be de-
MED.
One of those facts, gentlemen, is that
two years ago the Southern States
Telephone company, through their Their
representatives. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
the city Of Norfolk. through its repre-
sentatives. that IL would make certain
concessions or adopt certain regulations,
or live under certain limitations, sup
posed at that time to be and since
proven to have been Of great value to
the people Of the city Of Norfolk, F. the
city of Norfolk through her representa-
tives, would agree WITH 1t for the city
If you will excuse the slang expression
would tote fair" III respect to any
other companies that wanted to como In.
And, now, when q suggestion OF that
sort is to be made to this Council, when
the Council is to be reminded Of a fact
Of such a character that If q man
thought It was necessary to remind any
individual Of this Council Of a similar
fact and ask him to live UP to 1t, that
individual In his individual capacity
would feel that slight had been cast
upon his honor,I say l am not glad to
have to address the Council. appre-
bend, I know, as I look around this
Council, know that there are men,
yes, many men, members Of this Coun-
Gil, who are to pass upon this question
who would no more In their individual
capacity, IN their business life, hesitate
to live up to such an agreement and
contract as that than they would COM
init some active positive act Of in
fidelity, to contractual undertakings,an and
repeat that it Is III n certain sense
Illuminating to me to feel that I am
placed In such a position here that l
may seem to doubt whether the Council,
In its collective capacity, IS as fair, Is
as just, is as honest as the individual
members Of the Council in their indvid
ual lives.
But these gentlemen say that is not
a contract which binds this Council.
You are seriously urged not to live UP
to an agreement which has saved the
citizens of the city Of Norfolk in the
short time that the Southern States
Telephone company has been operating
here-saVed the individuals of the city
as contra istinguished from the NUM-
cipality--s30 900 or more. on but little
Less. Why are you so urged? Because,
gentlemen, these gentlemen say you
cannot be forced to do it. Why gen
tlemen, Is this relationship between the
city of Norfolk and the Southern States
Telephone company, upon the faith of
which they have put their money in
your ground and strung II on poles, III
confident reliance upon which they have
expended their capital among youis
that relationship, whatever it he called
by these gentlemen from Il legal stand
point-,and when we go to a legal tribu-
nal we will discuss that :ucstion---is
that relationship to be whstlcd down
the wind, to be dissipatcd to our loss
and injury, because, forsuoth. the city
even II 1t were true--the city cannot he
bound 10 II by legal procecdingso Gen
tlemen, there are promises made in life
there are promises made in business
that cannot he enforced at law--public
policy intcrferes y man borrows from
his neighbour under stress Of circllm.
stances $500 and agrees 10 pay him Ten
or fifteen. or even twenty per cent. i'll
terest. What would be thought--wha1
would be thought Of the gentleman who
seriously comes to the debtor and SAYS
i