The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-05-30
Lively Debate in Council Over
Municipal Ownership.
GET ANONYMOUS LETTERS.


Municipal ownership CT stree. railroads
and the private consolidation proposed by
Eastern and local capitalists were subjects
which were discussed in pretty thorough
manner last night before the city council
a COMMITTEES Of eitszens representing an or
ganixafion termed the Committee Of On.
Hundred" and headed by DR.. n. r, Titus
aDSeared before the council 20 speak
against the granting OF blanket franchise
covering xix 4lE1ezs involved 10 the coEzo,i-
Dalton Of street railways.
The lobby was crowded with men, every
seat being taken. Standing room in the
adjoining corridor was at o premium, so
tina; the sTs-ches that were made were
Gochargef not orly III the counciimen but
at the iarge and rather noisy lobby. The
debate over resolution presented by tbs
advocates Of municipal ownership was long
and at times grew very warm I, all end
ed. however. by the matter being referred
10 the corporations committee.
A resolution by Esvin cont aiming a plan
for the submission OF the question of NUM-
cspai ownership to the people WAS intro
duced ard referred 10 the council in rom-
mistse nf the whole mex. Monday night.
The franchise question and the ensuing
debate were precipiiated rather s@lddeniy.
The council was I'm the midst Of It's regu-
lar grist u routine business The presence
of large crowd In the lobby Including
many well known fusion politicians, indi-
Gated that something was 10 happen.
Among these were ]. W. Goodwin Paul
Land. Bruce Hardin. Louis Hunsy. Jack
MCGUIRE. Eugene Way. L. W. Kidd. Ben
Briefly. Harry II, Drees. Sam Archer and
r. " Church.
The matter WAS touched OF when Hill
received permission to Introduce COM
municaticn out ~ order. This was the
resolution adcpfed by the meeting Of the
opponents 10 &he proposed consolidated
franchise. which was held Saturday night
last AT ths rooms Of the Chamber OF COM
mercs. The resolution II as followa:
Resolved. That AZ 4 committee Of i0o
citizens Of the city Of Seattle, organized 10
oppose the granting Of the consolidated
street railway francnise and 10 secure nu.
nictpai Ownership, we hereby denousice any
attempt 10 directly or Indirectly grant this
franchise as plain and deliberate attempt
70 violate the charter Of the city OF Seat
tie.
Resolved. Tha. we urge the city coun-
eli al an alternative to the consolidation
proposition 10 take immediate steps toward
for municipal Ownership and operation Of
street railways"
6sil promptly moved that the matter be
referred 10 the corporations committee
Hill interrupted before the uaosion wns
PUT To move that II be taken up immediate
~ and an opportunity given 10 tn advocates
to address the council fram the lobby
Jamea esia: Il hora the reaues. will be
granted, but as we have great deal Of
business to transact would like 10 know
how much time the gentlemen propose TO
take"
Hin suggested that the speakers from the
lobby be limited to thirty minutes
Giii Delivers = Roast.
Gin said II would be time enough TO con-
slider the matter ard hrar The proposed
speeches when The franchise Itself was be-
forc the council. Tn. Third wnr3er then
proceeded to deliver characteristic spefeh
in which he said some very causttc things.
His whole speech hrstled with pointed sar-
casm and irony lie said:
II ann not opposed 10 hearing what these
people have 10 say. but ! object 10 their
consuming time now fer the qualification
or few political soreheads and chronic
candidate. for office. ans' their satellites
In the council From what have seen
and heard Of this ec-cailed committee Of
one hundred lis members Imagine tsem
selves n counterpart uf the Chicago argan-
tgafion which recently participated in
fight against street railway franchise
In Chicago.
There IL a difference. however. and
distinction and I; !s In this: The Chicago
people represented the brains Of the ei,y
ard they knew right proposition
when they saw Il. In this case. this
so~cailed committee OF one hundred 81
fun Of old political soTeheads and eaad.
dates ftfr any old office, winding up with
In. ii,sis tin god AZ tbs single takers,
u4aughterb II hessus With the spotted
sgg ticket and goes down ~ the pupui!St
candidates for afsice ever since
This lH an effort - get The council
mixed w with polittcs and 20 frame ny
a political campaign FOR next year. with
SO nse Gf these sereheads az caadidates
They cannot come here and bst0st them
selves into office with my consent"
Uaughtsrt
II was flnally Decided "a allow the al
vocates NJ the resolution haif an heer in
which 10 speak. BEFORE the matter was
concluded. however the council Ind Goa
samsi hours sisae.
Before pr. TITUS who was the spokes-