The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-13
WILL NOT BE EXTENDED
CHICAGO STREET-CAR COMPANY
FRANCHISES WILL STAND.
Vote in the Council Last Night showed
the Ordinance Cannot Be Passed
Over the Mayors Veto.

CHICAGO, Dec. 12.-The ordinance ex-
tending the franchises of the Chicago
street-car companies for fifty years came
up in the City Council tonight and was re-
ferred to the Council committee on rail-
roads. On all votes touching the ordinance
the friends of the measure were strong
minority and unless they can muster much
greater strength, there is no probability
that they will ever be able to pass it over
the veto of Mayor Harrison Contrary to
general expectation there was little excite
rhent around the City Hall and, although
the Council chamber was packed to suffo-
cation and Il crowd filled the corridors, the
number of people present was but little
larger than usual. The crowd was. how
ever, against the franchise proposition to
Il man and made no pretense of keeping its
convictions secret. Adherents of the fran
chise were openly Kissed when they at
tempted to gain a point for their measure
and loud yells greeted the announcement of
the vote by which the ordinance was re-
ferred. Alderman McInerney made a speech,
10 a certain extent defying the spirit shown
by the galleries. and from that time to the
adjournment he was the object of numer-
Gus remarks from the outsiders many of
them being warmly personal. The crowd,
however, was good-natured and there We're
which now has the ordinance in charge, is
composed of thirteen members. eleven of
whom tonight voted as friends of fran
Alderman walsh was first in bringing up
the franchise question. He interrupted the
regular order of business in the Council
with a motion that the vote of the last ses-
sion, committing the franchise extension
ordinances to the joint committee on streets
and alleys, west, north and south, be re-
considered. He was ruled out of order on
the ground that the rules had not been sus-
pended and the regular order of business
should obtain.
Some routine matters were soon put out
of the way, and Alderman Maltby, strong
opponent of the extension of the franchises.
jumped up with motion that no ordinance
whatever extending existing street-railway
franchises shall be passed, and that no pro-
posals to that end shall be entertained until
the so-called Allen law shall have been re-
pealed. This brought on the fight In earnest.
and in u second half dozen aldermen were
on their feet. shouting and gesuculating in
frantic efforts for recognition by the mayor.
He gave the floor to Alderman Walsh who
had introduced the first franchise motion of
the evening. Alderman Walsh asked Alder
man Maltby to withdraw his motion tenn
porarily as he wished to introduce reso-
luton providing that the vote by which the
ordinance granting an extension OF iran
chises to the street-car companies of the
miftee be reconsidered Alderman Maltby
withdrew his resolution, and the motion OF
Alderman Walsh was before the house.
Il move it be laid on the table!' shouted
Alderman O..Brien; VINO IS champion ION. OF the
vote of 26 to g. The vote for reconsidera-
ton was then carried by, 81 to 26; This was
the first test of strength, and the foes of
the extension were in high glee.
Immediately after the passage of Alder
man Walsh's motion to reconsider Mayor
Harrison referred the ordinance to the mu-
nicipal committee on railroads. Debate then
followed on the motion of Alderman Maltby
shutting off passage of any ordinance look
ing to the extension of local street-car fran
chises until after the repeal of the Allen
law" Alderman Maltby moved a suspen.
sion of the rules to permit consideration OF
his motion but was defeated by vote of
30 to %. The ordinance was then formally
referred to the committee on railroads.