The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-23
THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER, %, 1897
MUNIcIpAL FRANCHISES.

Judge william j. GayuOr ms ItCthtl9
given TO a New York newspaper his views
on the issues involved in the municipal
campaign I'm that city. His first remark
was that the politicians had lost sight Of
tho young men from the schools and col
legos. who have been the determining
factors in Brooklyn politics. There are
5000 voters in Greater New York. he
went on "who have been educated TO
the point Of voting I'm municipal elections
under the sole influence Of municipal IS
sues and affairs. They are wholly un-
Influenced by the conflicting interests and
the passions Of state and national poll
tics" Questioned as TO the question Of mu-
nicipal franchises, he said:
apart from honest and intelligent
administration, the most distinct munl-
cipal issue in the minds Of the pubic ls
that OF the control of public franchises
May ] now suggest 10 those VINO are
advocating municipal control Of public
franchises that, though q majority Of
the voters are undoubtedly with them,
they are nevertheless grayoly misunder-
stood bv many Every day one hears
them CHARGED with the intention OF
spOlating the property OF companies
now owning and Using such franchises,
and they are called Socialists and even
Anarchists.
I'm dealing with the subject OF NUM-
cipal control OF public franchises it is
therefore necessary TO make yourself
so plain that those who attribute 10 you
a design to spoliate property viii be
contradicted by the rccOu Of their own
words. That the great awakening OF
political and economic thought now in
progress I'm this country, and from
which much good will no doubt come.
brings with 70 some oXtraveance or
ideas and Of uttcrance accOrds as MS
tory shows. with all past experience and
may not fairly DE made the subject or
general roproach; but at the same time
care should be taken that reproach docs
not arise out of Misunderstanding.
and now just view the proposition
FOR municipal control OF franchises I'm
the aspect I'm which it is vital to-day.
BY the growth Of population and indus
try public franchises Will be brought
into use In the territory or the Greater
New York during the next fifty years
Of as great value and revenue as those
now In use therein.
1.-THE community now owns such un-
used franchises, and the intensely prac-
tcal question is whether they shall be
given away I'm perpetuity by public
officials from time TO time. TO De used.
bonded and stocked for the vast ag-
grandlzemcnt Of individuals as they
grow more and more valuable with the
growth OF the community. or whether
on the contrary the community shall
retain ownership and control Of them
and receive the revenues dcrlVable
from the leasing OF them. or as some
advise. from the actual operation OF them
~ the city. though IL does not seem 20
me we have fully grown up 10 that point.
"If the public franchises now In use
had been retained by the community
and leased for terms Of ten 20 twenty
Eve years. instead OF having been given
away. the revenues from them would,
Tor instance. enable us to do away with
the unequal unjust and annoying tax
upon personal property. which now falls
principally upon those who should bear
the least part OF It. namely, those having
visible personal property such as manu-
facturers and merchants.
III those not yet In use but 20 be
brought into use during the next fifty
years. be retained and leased the grad
ually increasing revenue from them win
stll enable such results 20 be accomplish
ed"
This Is worthy OF study. 1t IS a broad
and honest view OF this most important
subject Many cities arc to-day groaning
under a heavy debt and heavy taxes. be-
cause they have given away most valu-
able franchises which should have been
retained. and which. II retained and prop
erly managed. would have yielded large
part Of the revenue necessary TO run the
machinery OF city government.
There IS a growing sentiment in this
country IN favor OF municipal ownerships
OF all natural monopolles. A municipality
is largely O business corporation, ana
every corporation should enjoy the pro-
nts from ali municipal franchises.
But It IS a serious question as 70 wheth-
er OF not these public utilities should
be operated directly by the municipalities.
The opinion is growing that they should
be farmed out 20 private companies. but
under such restrictions. OF course az shall
insure the greatest amount Of revenue
consistent with good and cheap SER
vice 70 the public.
Philadelphia is now seriously consider
ing the question OF leasing its gas works
and. In discussing the question. the
Ledger says:
Ths mismaDsgemert OK ths works BY