The herald., 1898-03-06
WHAT CITIZENS THINK
PASADENA Is PREPARING FOR
EMANCIPATION
A CORPORATION AND POLITICS
Interviews with Prominent Citizens
on the Non-Partisan Movement.
A Pugilistic Challenge

COl0raQO 5tLSCtJp 3AutSh hc Sity CiCS-
tion, which will be held April II, is already
the subject of considerable discussion
among prominent business men, The elec-
ton is for three members of the city coun-
sol, clerk of the council, city treasurer and
city marshal
For years past there has been "a clique in
the Republican party that has excrted a
controlling influence in the administration
of city affairs. The Pasadena and Los
Angeles Electric railroad and the local
banks have also figured conspicuously in
the policy of the present city council.
The citizens of Pasadena have grown
tired OF the manipulation of city affairs In
the interest OF tho electric road to the ex-
cluslon of legitimate competition and their
widespread dsapproval of this ring control
Is manifested by the strength of the Nom
Partisan movement now on foot for the
complete overthrow of the clique that has
so long held sway in Pasadena in the name
Of the Republican party.
For some time past the necessity FOR
clean city government has been felt by the
Republicans, Democrats and Prohibition
lists who have the best interests OF the city
at heart Superintendent Jones' move In
marshaling the forces of the electric road
to the polls this week plainly shows how
that corporation intends to use the He
publican party. through the clique, for Its
own purposes. Tho non-partisan move
ment has grown in popularity, and repre-
sents the people In their fight against mo-
nopoly
The present city council has persistently
ignored the wishes of the citizens in mat
ters of the greatest Importance to the
growth and welfare of the city.
About n year ago the Terminal railroad
made application to the council for q fran
ChiSa q use plactricitv on ito line throrpt
the city Notwithstanding the fact that
about sixteen hundred citizens petitiOned
the council to grant this franchise, 1t was
refused. Two weeks ago the Tuxedo Elec-
trio road. to be operated between Los An
geles and Pasadena, made application to
the same council for n franchise to enter
into competition with the Pasadena and
Los Angeles road. The application was
referred to committee, two members of
winch are in such manner interested in
tne latter road that II Is the genral opinion
that the franchise will not be granted.
The consensus among residents of Pasa-
oena is that the franchises should be
granted. and all legitimate enterprise and
competition should be encouraged
Among those interviewed by a Herald
reporter today. T. ]. Martin, prominent
merchant of East Colorado street, said:
II consider the issue in the coming cleo
tion to be whether the policy of the present
city council shall be continued or not. The
non-partisan movement now on foot repre-
sents the people, and 1t Is solid in it's oppo-
ettion to the monopoly of the Pasadena and
Los Angeles Electric Railroad company.
IniS is a clcar-cut issue between the
electric road and the people, and national
politics have no place in it,
Discussing the question further Mr.
martin said: Sometimes death-bed con-
versions are genuine, but think the latest
action of thp l.,
considered as such. Having all along ig-
nored the wishes Of the people in mat
terS of the utmost Importance, the city
council now asks the local newspapers 10
interview the business men to learn their
wishes in regard to what action 1t should
take concerning few signs that protrude
eight or Ten inches over the pavements."
Judge O. F. Weed. prominent for years
IN the straight Republican ranks said :
II believe the best policy for Pasadena to
pursue is that of liberal announcement
to all kinds of enterprise and industry
] do not believe in building up a monopoly
or fostering one that has grown up Here
after do not intend to be bound to any
particular party. I will not vote the Re-
publican ticket just because 1t has at it's
head in big letters. Republican Ticket, ;
but / shall vote for what l believe to be
Tor the best interests of Pasadena without
regard to national politics.
- w dldCt, Il respected ana long,
time resident of Pasadena, expressed some
doubt as to the result of the election but
said: IF all the believers in non partisan
control of Pasadena would work together
and nominate good men in this campaign,
they will undoubtedly win, but the difficult
ty In times past has been to get the nom
partisan element to work together. I
ment succeed"
Ed Locket, prominent politician and a
possible candidate on the straight Repub-
lca2 ticket, said: personally, I am in
favor of other street railroads and light
Ing companies being allowed to come to
Pasadena. l am in favor of suppressing
all monopolies, except that of the lumber
business"
II. Fl. Plnney, another prominent mer-
chant, said: 1.-THE main issue in Pasadena.
In my opinion. is to keep municipal affairs
out of party lines. 1t Is also to the best
interests of Pasadena to keep the banks
and railroads out of the control of munic-
ipal afrairs. Mr.. Pinney said further that
fully 80 per cent of the citizens of Pasadena
were in favor of more street railroads and
lighting companies.
w. s. Melick, editor of the Pasadena
News. In his issue of Thursday, quoted
Marshal Lacy, who is spoken of as a can
didate In the coming election, as saying:
II have been invited many times to par
tASiPdeC WIN tHc -pdTliSdHS, Out nave
refused to affiliate with them" This was
not what Mr.. Lacy said, as was shown be-
fore number of prominent politicians of
Pasadena today, when Editor Melick was
brought face to face with Mr.. Lacy. Ed
itor Melick ate crow and said he must have
misunderstood what Mr. Lacy said, when
1t was shown him that Marshal Lacy's ex-
act words were: II have been asked many
times to attend the meetings of the nom
partisans. have not done so, but do not
wish to take any stand to offend or an
tagonize my friends who put me in office
two years ago."
The Star says: "It is difficult to see
why railroad should not engage in poli.
tics II 1t chooses" The people Of Pasadena
Will express their opinion on this and
kindred matters with most decided EN-.
phasis on the 11th day OF April If the
Star sees fit to support the Electric Rail
way company in it's bold ATTEMPT TO infIu
ence the election Of city trustees bv mar
shaling Its men in squads, with the sunar
intendent at their head and thus cond,,ct
Ing them to the primaries of the ns ~,
through which the company counts -,
maintaining its present cinch on this c,t,,
the Star will find that the people will soo,
administer just rebuke, both to the cor
poration and to the paper that defend,
Its methods. All attempts at inducing tn
people to believe that the party stand
against monopoly will fail in the faca -
+: this sort of demonstration, which snea i.
Tar louder than any words could do
corporation enjoying the monopoly tba