St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-04-06
LETTER FRon CHICAGO.
correspondence Of the cALHDoNAs)

vital Importance and 1t may interest the
readers of the CALIFORNIAN to know some
ofthe facts.
The issue at large is: Shall one man, or
one corporation rule US! Shall gang of
bribe-takers comprising majority Of
our city council as at present made up)
give away the various properties and
privileges of the city, enriching only
themselves, or shall they be so dispensed
that the greatest good and greatest
revenue obtain for the community?
The issue specifically is on the renewal
or granting Of ffty-year franchises to the
street railways.
The council has at various times
granted street railway corporations
rights of way and other privileges, with
out an equivalent being given the city.
These, OF course, are of enormous value
and a source Of much revenue in some
places. The shrewd manipulation who
requests these concessions, has in the
past, found it cheaper to buy votes than
to pay share of his earnings to the city
Many claim that with proper consider
alton from these corporations the people
would have not only cheaper fares, but
our streets could be lighted, well paved
and cleaned, while taxes would be re-
duced one.half-all this, and leave large
margin for the various companies.
The one man who has, it is said, OBJ
tanned from the Chicago aldermen by
magnificent brides, concessions of enor-
nous value. is Charles T. Yerkes.
Instead OF paying the city fixed reve-
nue., all this great street car magnate has
to do is to reward his henchmen in the
council and look after the mending Of his
political fences before election. With his
vast fortune and through the great num-
Der of men employed, he has grown to
be prominent factor not only in munic-
ipal, but state legislation. He has re-
Gently bought the Chicago Inter. Ocean,
which now voices his wishes and defends
his interests-a sad come.down for a
Journal once powerful and popular and
once so clean and pure politically.
Some franchises expire this spring.
Others are wanted. Mr.. Yerkes' plan is
to have renewals and future grants with.
ont consideration voted by the council
soon to convene. Hence he is putting
forth great efforts to re.elect the gang"
or others equally subservient to his
wishes. Every decent citizen is up in
arms, and almost every journal, with the
exception OF the one before mentioned,
is demanding governing body who will
work Tor the interests of the city and not
for the pockets OF the individual. thus
making it possible to kill unwise
measures, and allow good bills to pass,
no matter the size of the vote behind
them, and it looks as if decency would
win.
The pay Of an alderman in the past has
been smal-three dollars per meeting
yet on this many have not only thrived,
but grown opulent after few terms in
the council. They wear large diamonds.
drive fast horses, or what is still more
in vogue, have interests in saloons and
gambling houses-all this on six dollars
week! A move in the right direction
vas taken when the council voted to pay
its members $500 year, and. l think,
granted each alderman private secre-
tary. This will enable selfrespecting
people to afford the time for public affairs,
which they otherwise could not afford,
and will undoubtedly raise the standard
OF men nominated and elected.
The following terse quotation from the
Times. Herald Of this city will show up
the record Of the leader Of the majority
in the council:
1.-THE personal wealth Of John Powers,
alderman, is conservatively estimated at
$3.50, 900. Mr.. Powers has had, ostens-
IDLY, but three occupations - that of
grocer. saloon-keeper and alderman. His
fortune is said to be represented, outside
Of real estate, jewelry and saloon fixtures,
in bonds or stocks, or both, OF the follow
ing corporations.
Lake Street Elevated Road.
The Chicago Gas trust.
Vest Chicago Street Railway.
General Electric Street Railway.
Chicago General Railway Company.
Ogden Gas Company.
Chicago Economic Fuel Gas.
Northwestern Elevated Road.
Union Loop.
All Of these companies have had ordi-
nances in the council since 1888, the year
Powers entered that body. A majority
OF their ordinances were passed over the
veto of the mayor and with the charge OF
press and public that every alderman
voting for them was bribed. No alder
man concerned in their passage has ever
sued one OF the Chicago newspapers for
libel"
The Municipal Voters League is an
organization formed in the interests Of
good government, to scrutinize the
records of candidates and to recommend
to the suffrages OF the people those whose
history is clear. Each must sign this
pledge:
II favor the strict maintenance and en-,
iorcement Of the present civil.service law, and
the principles OF compensation to the city for
all franchises and special privileges, and am
unalterablv IN In
year franchises
."If elected to the office OF alderman of the
city OF Chicago, for which am now candi
cate, hereby pledge myself to the people Of