The Portland daily press., 1899-09-21

business proposition, and said that ne
thought the bid which should above all
others receivs consideration. was that Of
the Gas company for 800 weisbaoh lights.
IL was generally admitted that these
lights were better thar electric lights for
streets where there are trses.
Mr.. Smith then advocated contract
for arc elsctrios with the Consolidated
company for one year, on the ground
that the Consolidated's bid was SIS
light cheaper.
After Mr.. Smith concluded, an effort
was made
TO START THE CONFERENCE
between the two boardss but the flood of
orntory had only begun.
Alderman Moulton, arising, said that
after the example OF Monday evening
speeches might be in order in the board
of aldermen. On Monday evening they
had had from the council remarks which
embodied undoubtedly the position Of
that body. he had no controversy with
the councilman from Ward (Mr. Goudy),
and esteemed MIN as en- honest man; but
he conceived that the remarks against
officials Of the past and present city
governments. and against certain Of the
corporations concerned In thess proceed
inRs, tended to create unfounded scandal
and cast discredit ON the good name Of
the city. Mr.. Moulton then went on to
describe the officials of the various COM
panies Messrs. Gsorge:w. Brown, George
K. Raymond. westonssF. Milliken and Mr..
Davies, and to say that to denounce men
of the standing OF thess men as robbers,
dishonest men. as engaged In bribery,
as thoroughly corrupt. was outrageous.
and reflected as much upon the one max
ing the charges as upon the objects OF
on to speak Of his acquaintance with
those men and his relationship TO them.
He thought an apology was due them for
the conduct Of the debate on Monday eve
ming.
As to the
MEMBERS OF TIE FORMER CITY
GOVERNMENT,
1t had been charged that they had made
a fraudulent contract which had cost
the city $40, 900 more than 1t should have
an unjust charge, and he proceeded to
quote from report Of the General Elec-
trio Light company to show that Port
land with its rate of 500 for each 1900
candle power light, had one Of the low
est rates among steam lighted cities. 1t
cost 1925 each for 1900 candle power lights
in Biddeford; and for similar lights in
other cities the rates were: Cambridge.
500; Chelsea, 500; Fitchburg. $50;
Salem, $40; Springfield. SO; New York,
STAG to s1s2.
Mr. Moulton said he did not believe
that there had been bribery at South
Portland, but the bad fame of charges
that had been injudioiously made. had
gone far abroad to the prejudice of the
municipality.
1t was not their duty to champion the
interests of any corporation, but to look
out for the interests of the city.
Passing to a personal matter, Mr.. Moul-
ton said that he had for several years aad
a few shares of Gas company stock, and
also had been attorney for the Gas compa-
ny. But when the proposition to make
a contract with the Gas company came
up at the last meeting. he voted against
the proposition as he believed the city
could get electric light cheaper. He also
Ind few shares in the Deering Electric
for the Portland Electric Light company.
His feelings and prejudices were quite
likely in favor OF that company. but he
believed that no mans prejudices should
weigh In this matter.
Mr.. Moulton then proceeded to discuss
the three bids before the council. He
took up the statement OF MIR. Cloudy In
the Council that the Portland Electric
Light company's bid was lower even ON
q one year basis than the Consolidated
and oontsnded that this was an error aris-
ing from misstatement as to the num-
bsr of lights used. In reality for one
year contract the Consolidated's bid would
amount to s7,53s less than the Portland
Electric Light company's bid. For a
three.year contract the Consolidatsd's
bid would be 81 COS higher; and for five
years, $685. higher.
AS to the gas lights 1t should be remem-
bered that President Davies had stated
that the bid Of the Gas company must
stand alone. as the manager of that coul-
pany would not complicats their business
with that Of any electric company. But
the city should consider what it would
cost TO light by electricity in conjunction
with gas. For 2s5 arc electric lights and
800 Welsbaoh gas lights. which were the
numbers that would be used. one year
contract with the Consolida ted and tho
Gas company would be about $1,000 less
than the bids of the Portland Electric
Light company in conjunction with the
Gas company. For three year contract
the difference would be about sisC0 In
favor OF the Portland company, and on
the five year contract the difference
would De about ssO00.i in favor of the bid
of the same compAnY.