The labor world., 1898-01-08
Give the People Back Their Own

EDITOR LABOR WORLD:
I understand that w. R. Merriam has
been in the city; that he has been sit.
ting in counsel with the members of his
franchise ring in this city; and that his
coming was to see that men were chosen
for mayor and aldermen who could be
counted on to act in the interest of the
franchise syndicate, regardless of the
public welfare. Has it come to pass
that handful of men can 80 control
the voters and the council of this city,
by playing upon the venality and selfish
political ambition of some of our citizens,
to the end that the ring can turn from
the people and into it's own pockets tho
very blessings and benefits of self gov
ernment which are the rightful property
of all the people?
For the sake of decency in our elec-
tions and public affairs, and in behalf Of
economy, that ring of franchise grabbers
should be disbanded and the franchises
held by them should be taken from them
and given back to the people, whose
PROPERTY they are. By so doing, the
motive for boodling will be taken away,
and the blessings of government be ad-
ministered direct to the people through
the departments Of the city government,
and at the cost only of production and
supply. What right have a few men to
control those things which are necessary
to your life and to public comfort, and
to withhold them from you unless you
pay them an exhorbitant price? Why
should not this ring of franchise grab
bers make living like other people, in
stead of having license to work the
public? They have one object to accom-
plish, and they have nothing else to do
but to work the people and the council
while you and I and others are busy
trying to make legitimate living.
It is the aim of the franchise ring,
after getting these men selected, to see
that the enemies of the ring be divided.
To those men of all parties who believe
that this state of affairs should cease, l
say, "Stand together; don't let any party
jealousies divide US and above all, don't
support any man who has, in the council
or out of it, cast his vote and given his
influence in favor of this franchise ring,
notwithstanding they talk differently
Just before election" Let US have men
who stand fat.footed for getting back to
the people that Prindle Franchise and
that Subway Ordinance, which were
granted in base betrayal of the peoples
rights; men who will refuse to grant a
renewal of the contract of the Electric
Light Company, and who will stand firm
and immovable for the building by the
city of it's own electric light plant. which
Gao lbe speedily done, and for little
more than the sum We now pay that
company in one year. Let us have men
also, who will say to the West Duluth
Water & Light Company, Here is the,
value of your plant. You can take it or
we will parallel YOU" And to the Tele-
phone company, that this city proposes
to have it's own telephone system" Let
us select men who, if the people vote to
buy this gas and water plant on January
18th, will hasten to close up the deal,
and make extentions to parts of the
city not now supplied, but who, if the
proposition is voted down, will carry out
the expressed will of the people by par
alleling the present plant.
The next two years are important. We
will either get these franchises back to
the people, or the franchise ring will
tie this city up for the next twenty
years.
Let us have harmony, and care to get
good men. Let us retire this franchise
ring, and then let US revise our local
constitution so that no more franchises
can be had unless all the people have q
right to vote the approval or aisapproval
thereof
THEo M. KRUMsE1G.