The San Francisco call., 1898-02-22

OAKLAND, eD. zl.-Ihe most pare faced outrage ever perpetrated on the people of Oakland by majority of the City Council was carried out tonight, and it is now known why A. Fibusch resigned last week and why a person named E. w. Woodward was appoint ed as his successor.
 After five minutes consideration by a committee of three named by the wa ter companies, through Councilman Henneberry, the water rate of this city was fixed by a resolution that will pro- vide an income of F per cent or over on the cost of both the water compa- nies. The only bright spot in the infa- nous transaction is that City Attorney Dow declared before the vote was taken that it would be clearly illegal, as it would be a water rate fixed absolutely without investigation, and would be arbitrary. The plan was all carefully thought out and planned, and the al- lied corporations which, it is now fully believed. have combined had their men on hand to see that the Councilmen. whose votes they could depend upon, did not fall down.
 Councilman Henneberry started the job by introducing a resolution fixing water rates at figures his ignorance of which showed clearly he had not compiled himself He said that he was satisfied that the water rates as fixed by the ordinance now in print did not allow sufficient income and was unjust. He then handed the clerk a resolution which was a complete schedule, and contained enough matter to occupy several nights of consideration. The members of the Council who had not been informed of what was to take place were surprised. They were at a loss for even a remark, as there is very carefully prepared ordinance now in print that will come up for final pas sage next Wednesday night.
 MT Hennebery proceeded and said that the matter was urgent, and moved that a committee of three be appointed to look over the ordinance and report back at once to the Council. MT Hen nebery, contrary even to precedent, which leaves the naming of special committees to the chair was provided with the names of the committee whom he would like appointed. It consists of upton, WdlklnSOil, anu lO Ine surprise of all, Woodward, who tonight attend ed his very first meeting of the Coun- cil, and knew nothing whatever about the water rates.
 This made no difference, however and few minutes later the following report was presented:
 Your special committee on the resolution fixing water rates hereby favorably reports on same.
 W. WATKlNSON,
 E. W. WOODWARD.
 I emphatically dissent.
 M. W. UPTON.
 The affair was so barefaced and far cical that the five Councflmen who re- spected their positions were forced to laugh.
 When the report was read President Pringle said: Gentlemen of the Coun- cil, this thing is at once a farce and an outrage. It is illegal, because no in- vestigationhas been taken on this schedule, and no one knows what Is in it. The proper thing to do is to refer it to its proper committee
 This brought Heitman to his feet The matter had been so carefully planned that Heitman was prepared to prove that the resolution had been brought before the house by the appointment of the special com mittee, and must therefore take it's course. President Pringle ruled against Heitman, who appealed from the chair, and then came the sensation of the evening when Brosnahan discovered