The record-union., 1897-09-28

board had nothing to act on but hear
say. It should have evidence on which
to act and he wished to defer any ac-
ton until next week in order that wit
nesses may be summoned.
An argument ensued as to the power
of the board to compel Zemansky's at
tendance, Leonard and Devine contend
ing that it has power.
The matter went over for a week.
ELECTRIC LIGHTING.
Leonard moved that the matter of
the proposed municipal lighting plant
go over for a week in order to gather
more data and present before the board.
DR. Pvburn was asked to give the
board some information on municipal
lighting plants, and said the city was
paying fully double the cost Of lighting
and that $50 per light was the cost OF
burning the lights 3G5 nights in the
year, instead of $123 for 2SS night, as
at present At Auburn, y. Y, the
lights were furnished at SSI and in
St. Louis at SO each by corporations
The corporation here is, therefore, TAX
ing from the city about $50 a night for
which it renders no return. In Lewis
ton, Me. the cost was reduced from
1885, to SO when it ran the lights with
its own plant, and a large number OF
other cities made similar reductions. In
Springfield. H., sixty citizens raised
S60,0 and erected a plant and leased
it to individuals to furnish lights at
SEQ the city having paid previously
S136 In Chicago the city paid sou
and with their own plant it is $96;
Marghalltown. Ia. paid S126 and now
gets light for $24 The average price
in twelve cities is now so. Here the
lights are burned only eight months
in the year.
The estimate of the engineer on the
running expenses of the municipal
plant is much lower than thar OF the
Chamber Of Commerce Dut would still
leave the cost S106 per light. He
thought himself. that it could be done
for $50 Reckoning at 30 arc lights.
for $500 light the plant could be in
stalled.
We must get out of the grip OF cor
porations. he said, or We are gone up,
and if the authorities have power TO
suoply the commercial lighting as well
as municipal lighting, it should be
done. If We build a plant by issuing
bonds. however, we only get out Oh
the hands of the corporation into the
hands of the money lenders, but by a
nroper system the bonds could all be
paid OF IL five years.
Mr. Lawrence said if the board IS
serious in taking up this matter, the
corporation he represents ought 10 pe
heard. and be given a chance to pre-
sent their figures and arguments IN rel
utation of those presented tonight. me
men who form it are not cattle, and
do not eat hay. They are men OF
flesh and blood, who have put their
last dollar into the company IN order
to help build up Sacramento. He
Thought it only just to defer this mat
ter until the whirI of politics is over
and then set a time to discuss the
subject.
Leonard said that the corporation
came here to make money and not 10
help Sacramento, and if it had set a
low rate would have had no trouble to
keen the lighting. He had always Op-
nosed paving the present price, and be-
1ipved every member should do his best
ia cheapen the rate. He advocated put
ting the matter over for a week and
of the company.
Mckay asked if DR. Pyburn did not
think the city needed a sewerage sys-
tenn much worse than lighting plant
and the latter said he did not, that the
city needed most to be freed from eco
nomic slavery.
Davis said he wanted to see cheap
lighting. but the city might find ltseir
with n costly plant on its hands that
would cost more for lighting than now.
He moved to put the matter over TIL
November Sth.
Devine said the city could use the
water of the river as well as the cor
noration. which had no monopoly on IL.
The corDorations of this town have kept
off competition for the last thirty vars.
Davis said he wished more corpora
+ions would come to this city. If the
Southern Pacific shops were taken
away the grass would grow in the
streets They have done much good
for the city.
The motion of Davis was carried Da-
Wis. protested against some insinuatlons
made bv Devine, but Leonard protest
ed that there was nothing before the
hoard. and the matter was dropped.
THE SQUARE LET.
Bids for the lease of the pubic
square between B and c, Twenty-sev-
enth and Twenty eighth, We're opened
Thomas O'Brien bid S36 90 and Mrs
SCHNEIDER S12. The lease was awarded
to the former.
A RESOLUTION TABLED.
The following resolution was intro
duced by Leonard. reciting that it has
been currently reported that the mem
bers. Of the police force intend to act
as partisans in the primary election
and reciting the provisions Of the City
. Charter with respect to the action OF
the police in politics. resolved that the
members of the police department be
/ held to a strict observance of and com
nliance with said section of the char
ter. and that any member of the de-
partment violating the requirements OF
/ the charter in this respect be. after
/ due proceedings had, deprived of his
position as therein provided: and fur
/ ther. that the Clerk Of the board be di-
rected to forthwith transmit to the
Mayor and the Chief of Police copies
( Of the resolution.
+ IOZer asked IEe purpose OF the TeSo-
/ luton. and Leonard said it was to pre-
vent the police from taking part in pol
/ tiles
Devine thought it was to keep the po-
| lice away from the polling places. and
said they were likely to be needed there
! in order to prevent trouble He moved
q Alaska