The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-08-20

at the Ryan last evening to protest
against the adoption of the street rail-
way ordinance at present before the
city council. 1t was not an assem-
blage of angry opponents to indulge in
violent invectives against the measure
and it's supporters, but a dignif1ed
gathering of substantial merchants and
property owners, large employers of
labor, who see in this proposed change
of street railway lines and restrictions
menace not only to their own busi-
ness, but to the city's interests as we'll.
The meeting had been called on the
spur of the moment; the urgency for
haste prevented any longer notice or
the publication of a call in the news
papers; but there were about fifty per-
sons present, and of these forty are the
employers of over 1000 people.
The stand taken by the G l o b e, the
first to expose the iniquities of the
proposed ordinance and sound an
alarm, was warmly commended, while
a general expression of surprise was
manifested that the members of the
city council could be so blind to the
osition for a moment. Possibly It
would have benefited the aldermen 10
have heard the expressions of opinion
relative to the measure; it would hold
before them the mirror of public opin-
ion in which would be darkly reflected
the cloud lowering over their political
future. These forty representative men
hold the same opinion in this matter
as thousands of other citizens do, and
it is said the constituency of every
alderman is watching his course
The meeting was called to order by
c. B. Bowlby, and Maurice Auerbach
was called upon to act as chairman,
while Maj. Jones was elected secretary.
T. d. O'Brien spoke of the objects of
the meeting, and after a short sum-
mary Of the ordinance pointed out
what he considers its glaring inconsis-
tencies and faults as follows:
"On the interurban line great danger
to life and limb will result from the
running of express or through trains
and from the switching and sidetrack-
ing of the local cars. This will necessi-
tate the building of four tracks, and
will ruin University avenue The in
crease in the fare will result disas-
trously to st. Pauls interests, as it
will enable the company to discrimin-
ate against this city Or the company
will make the slow cars so slow and
so uncomfortable that the passengers
would willingly pay the extra nickel.
be forced to it in fact. The change of
the loop from Robert street l consider
to be almost a crime, owing to the
iT1iI mill IL
liable property. To sum up, there Is
no call for this franchise except from
the property owners on Broadway, and
the only conclusion we can reach is
that those property owners are willing
to sacrifice AL other interests of the
city to accomplish their ends. Any
councilman voting for it, unless there
be some overwhelming reasons in its
favor not yet developed, is false to
his trust" (Applause.)
L. n. Scott said that the ordinance
was the most one-sided affair he ever
heard of; the street railway company
gets all it wants and gives practically
nothing in return. Every person hav-
ing the interest of the city at heart
should help to defeat it.
Robert Mannheimer said that the
first claim for the new ordinance was
that it would afford better depot facil-
tiles, but it was apparent to all that
the reverse would be true. 1t seemed to
him that the council was seeking to aid
people owning property on Broadway,
and that was all it cared for
Mr. Michaud was of the opinion that
no change in the present ordinance was
necessary.
L. L. May said: "I don't think a man
has read the ordinance but sees
how ridiculouSly weak it is. We must
organize to defeat it,
NJ. N. Gilman said: Its time that
some people who own few vacant lots
on Broadway should look to the public
good instead of to their own selfish
ends"
A communication was read from T.
w. Ingersoll, who said he was heartily
in favor of the opposition. Remarks
were made by several others, all in
like vein.
Several speakers commended the at
titude- ef the G. o b e OH this important
measure, and at the request of the
meeting, W. 3. Hennessey was called
upon to read the editorials published In
this paper on the subject under con-
sideration. The following resolution
was offered and adopted by a unani-
nous vote:
Resolved, That we oppose the proposed
street railway ordinance and demand its re-
lection by the city council.
First-Because it provides no better or more
convenient street car service than we have
at present but on the contrary, one more
inconvenent.
Second-Because by it the city relinquishes
all it's control over the street railway com.
pany for four years.
Third-Beeause it practically confscates Uni
versity avenue to the use of the street car
company.
Fourth-Because it increases the rate of
fare.
Fifth-Because it seriously Injuries the busi-
ness of our retail merchants.
Sixth-Because it is a breach of faith with
those who have made improvements upon the
present line.
A standing vote was then taken. in
which all agreed to attend the joint
meeting of the street committees of
the city council, in the council chamber,
at 3 o'clock this afternoon and present
the protest. A committee of w. B.
Hennessey, l.. L. May and G. b. Bowl
by was appointed and drafted the fol-
lowing call:
The representatives of the business houses
in attendance at this meeting do most urg-
entity request of all the people of this city
that they make the business of this meeting
their own personal and particular business
and be present at the meeting of the Joint
committee streets, which is to consider
the street railway ordinance. In numbers, as
well as business resources, there Is much
strength in a move of this kind. and if the
oponents OF the ordinance do but make due
and fervent protest, this mischievous move