Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-05

Readers of the Virglnian-Pilot will
remember reading in its issue Of Octo-
Der 9th, of the introduction OF an ordi-
nance granting the Virginia Electric
Company permission to construct pipes,
wires and other underground and over
head appliances in the public highways,
streets, avenues and alleys. Of the city
of Norfolk
MAJORITY REPORT FAVORABLE.
The special committee of the Councils
reported favorably on this ordinance by
its chairmcn, Nlessrs. II. Hodges and
C. Fl. Consolvo. Mr.. Henry Vail. of the
committee, was also present and Mr.. *.
e. Elliott was Ill and not present at the
meeting. Mr.. TaZewell Taylor, of the
committee, opposed the views of his
colleagues and yesterday filed with Mr..
Steed, clerk of the Common Council, q
minority report opposing granting the
ordinance. unless amended as per his
sttEges ton. His report is as follows:
To the Hon. Common and Select Coun-
ellis of Norfolk Va:
The undersigned n member of the
special committee on the petition OF
the Virginia Electric Company to place
its wires underground, herewith re-
spectfully tenders his objection to the
ordinance as recommended for adoption
by majority of the committee.
The fact should not be lost sight of
in the consideration uf this important
matter, that the Virginia Electric Com
pany has not at this time an express
franchise for the use OF the streets OF
the city of Norfolk, but that this right
Is only enjoyed as Il necessary incident
TO the performance of it's contract for
furnishing lights to the city. Upon the
termination of this contract, the Incl
dental use of the streets likewise ends,
and the Virginia Electric Company is
in exactly the same position as any new
company applying for similar privi-
eges. This being the case, the Coun-
ellis Should be free in determining what
rights. if any at all, they will grant
the petitfoning company. and what re-
strictions and conditions they will i'm
pose upon the enjoyment Of those rights
IL granted.
i. Is not exceeding the bounds Of
truth TO say that the Councils OF the
city of Norfolk have too often enhanced
private interests at public expense. 1t
is a matter Of general notorety that
private enterprises with municipal
franchises have been able to bond their
plants for several times the amount of
capital primarily invested, and it is but
reasonable to presume that this en-
HANGED value is caused by the public
franchises enjoyed, for which the city
receives no pecuniary benefit. The I'M
dersigned is advised that the history of
the petitioning company will bear out
the truth of this statement.
Tn m t7px oI,,o ,,iI
asked for, as the city is, not to re-
c6ive adequate payment for the same.
the public should be protected to the
extent of reserving to the Councils the
right of amending or repeating the ordi-
nance granting these privileges, so
that their proper exercise can at least
be assured. 1t was with this idea that
the undersigned urged upon his col
leagues the incorporation in the pro-
posed ordinance OF the following Sec
ton;
'The right to amend, alter or repeal
this ordinance Is hereby reserved to
the city OF Norfolk Mt ITS pleasure and
without making compensation for any
damage that may result from any
amendment or. alteration or repeal"
For reasons no doubt sufficient the
committee by u vote of three to one
rejected the proposed amendment.
The necessity for the reservation en-
bodied in the rejected amendment is
obvious. 1t, has often happened that
those corporations which derive their
great Importance from the liberal nd-
vnntages granted by the city have
proven most obnoxious in the discharge
OF their reciprocal duty to the public.
Attempts to shirk their Just portion of
the public burdens, arbitrary disregard
OF individual rights, and general ten
dency to make all other interests sub
servient to their own selfish ends have,
unfortunately, not been matters of such
rare occurrence In this community as
to make the people at large less mind
full OF the insatiablc greed Of corporate
power.
To check this possible tendency on
the part of the recipients, OF the city's
bounty the section proposed is, In the
opinion of the undersigned, essential.
The proposed ordinancc.in It's details is
probably as comprehensive and rs sat
isfactory as could be well devised, but
In an age If changing conditions. wha,
might be beneficial to the public to-day,