Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-06-03

The Gas Trust paid $3.50. COO to men,
bers OF the Fortieth General Assembly
of Illinois for law under which II
could rob the people to its hearts con.
tent.
But It overlooked few points that
even bribery couldn't cover up.
Section Is OF Article 4 Of the Constl-
tuition of Illinois declares that no sub.
ject not embraced in the title of bill
shall become n law. There are some
subjects in the body of the infamous
gas-consolIdatIon and frontage bill not
embraced In the title. Hence the law Is
void.
THIS LAW. known as the "GAS
con ;oLlDATION ACT" empowered
MI existing gas companies to consoll-
date with and merge into single cor.
pora ion. (which shall be one of said
merging and consolidation corpora.
tiors." and lnasmuch as this ACT, con-
vey;ng purported authority. grants TO
all then existing gas companies In the
city of Chicago certain exclusive rights
aud privileges. not contemplated by or
given them by any ordinance OF the
Chicago City Council. and rs the right
10 lssuc franchises and prescribe terms
for privileges granted thereby Is ex-
prrssly reserved to aud held to be In.
hrrent In the City Council by the State
c institution Of 1870, which provides
that the State Legislature shall not
giant and cannot convey rights aud
privileges In the streets Of cities to cor
p)rat!ons or individuals. except by and
with the consent Of the local authorl.
ties (mcaning the City Council. It Is
unconstitutional on that paint.
LET Us LOOK AT SOME PERTI.
NENT FACTS relating to this point:
In ordinances passed by the Chicago
City Council, prior TO the passage OF
the Gas Consolidation Act" ana un'
der and by virtue and existence OF
such ordinances. certain bonds, con-
tracts. privileges and obligations We're
assumed by certain gas companies. In
return for franchises granting them
provisional rights In the use and occu'
pancy OF the streets, always subject.
however, 10 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
aad well known, and in such ordl'
nances 1t Is expressly stated, reserved
aud provided TO wit:
I. CONSUMERS GAS, FUEL AND
LIGHT COMPANY.-A perpetual fran
chlse passed April %, 1ss2, granting
the corporation the right 10 the usl
and occupancy Of the streets, In return
for which the corporation agreed and
bound itself by bond and various pen
allies, 10 lay all feeders ana service
plpes NJ the time of laying main pipes
without subsequent disturbance OF the
surface or pavemcnts; 10 extend lts
main pipes. when ordered by major
lty OF the City Council, in any block
one.half of which shall he Improved by
buildings: that the corporation should
not extend It's pipes beyond the city
or allow any connections 10 be made
with IL pipes 10 supply gas TO any con
sumcrs outside OF the city; that i
should not charge more than - cents
per foot for service pipes, nor charge
sl.15 per 1000 cubic feet, giving con
sumers Of more than 100000 cubic fee
per year a rebate of % cents per Loo
cubic feet; that said company shout
be- subject 20 all existing general or
dnances concerning gas; that the cit.
should have the right 10 Inspect meter
aud that the gas supplied should be o
the uniform average of 10 sperm can
dies, burning 100 grains per hour In
5-fOOt burner; that the company
rights and privileges PROVISIONAL.
granted should be forfeited unless with
Ia three years from date Of acceptance
OF the ordinance IL had erected ant
had In operation works and mains SUI
ficlent TO distribute ten million cubl
feet OF gas every thirty days, SAT-
works TO cost not less than S5O0,OCO
that II said company should directly o
Indirectly sell, lease or transfer II
franchise and privileges TO any othe
gas company or companies, or cease t
manufacture and furnish gas for
period OF more than ten CONSECUTIVE
days; or II Il should fail OF refuse 4
extend its main pipes ~haL :equestel
to Go 30 by majority a. sac Council