Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-05-13
Provisions Of the Ordinances Granting Frar
chises to Various Consolidated Companies
in This City.
One Of Them Was Forfeited for Nom &c m.
pliance with Contract Back
in 1892.
Some interesting Information Which the City
Council Should Call For from Various
Officials.

The Gas Trust paid S25O,OOO to men,
of Illinois for law under which II
could rob the people to Its hearts con-
tent.
But 1t overlooked few points that
even bribery couldn't cover up.
Section IL of Article of the Consti-
tuition of Illinois declares that no sub
tect not embraced In the title of a bill
shall become u law. There are some
subjects In the body OF the infamous
decentralization and frontage bill not
"mbra led In the title. Hence the law Is
void.
THIS LAW. known as the "GAS
CONSOLIDATION ACT" empowered
all existing gas companies to consoli.
date with and merge into n single cor.
poration. (which shall be one of said
merging and consolidation corpora.
tons" and inasmuch us this ACT. con-
veylng purported authority. grants to
all then existing gas companies In the
city Of Chicago certain exclusive rights
and privileges. not contemplated by or
given them by any ordinance Of the
Chicago City Council. and rs the right
TO issue franchises and prescribe terms
for privileges granted thereby Is ex.
pressly reserved to and held to be In
herent in the City Council by the State
Constitution Of 1870. which provides
that the State Legislature shall not
grant and cannot convey rights ana
privileges In the streets OF cities to cor.
poratlons or individuals. except by and
with the consent of the local author!-
ties meaning the City CounciD, 1t Is
unconst itutional on that paint.
LET US LOOK AT SOME PERT.
NENT FACTS relating to this point:
In ordinances passed by the Chicago
City Council. prior to the passage Of
the Gas Consolidation Act" and un.
der and by virtue aud existence OF
such ordinances, certain bonds. con-
tracts. privileges and obligations We're
assumed by certain gus companies. In
return for franchises granting them
provisional rights In the use and occu-
pancy OF the streets. always subject,
however, to the reservations held In
said ordinances for the benefit and pro-
lection OF the people comprising the
municipality Of Chicago. the intent and
object Of which provisions Is apparent
and well known, and In such Ordi.
nances 1t Is expressly stated, reserved
and provided. TO witt
/. CONSUMERS GAS. FUEL AND
LIGHT COMPANY.-A perpetual fran
chlse passed April IS. 1882. granting
the corporation the right TO the Use
90 81 Ia
for which the corporation agreed and
bound itself by bond and various pen.
altles, to lay all feeders and service
pipes AT the time Of laying main pipes,
without subsequent disturbance Of the
surface or pavements: 10 extend its
main pipes, when ordered by a major
Ivy OF the City Council. In any block,
onehalf of which shall be improved by
buildings: that the corporation should
not extend It's pipes beyond the city,
or allow any connections to be made
with its pipes to supply gas to any con
sumers outside OF the city; that II
should not charge more than % cents
per foot for service pipes, nor charge
general consumers OF gas more than
sl.Tj per 1000 cubic feet, giving con-
sumers of more than 100000 cubic feet
per year "A rebate of 81 cents per 1000
cubic feet; thar said company should
be- subject TO all existing general or
d!nances concerning gas; that the city
should have the right TO Inspect meters
aud that the gas supplied should be Of
the uniform average of III sperm can
dies, burning 100 grains per hour in a
= foot Enf ha IN M. -