The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1899-04-13


for over fifty years, who asked for the
same privileges, with Increased bene-
fits fol the city. Mr.. Simmons speech
was received with great applause and
made a noticeable effect on the
Couucii. All this point Alderman
TarbeIl moved that the matter be laid
over Tor the next Council, and in sup
port Of this motion Mr.. Simmons stated
that he would hold his proposition
open for the new Council. The vote
was taken. Aldermen Brister, Con
hermann, Berns and FRANKIE voted nay,
while Weier, Calkins, Tarbel and
German supported the motion. Before
the vote was decided Mayor Petit
asked for a recess for ten minutes, and
one Of the most dramatic scenes of the
evening occurred. The recess was
granted, and Mayor Petit requested a
private interview with Mr. Simmons.
The latter replied that if the latter
had anything to say it could be said
before the crowd, as he was not going
to enter any conference with those
men. The reply of Mr.. Simmons
turning down the Mayor, was received
with thunderous applause by the crowd.
The Mayor smarted under the unex-
pected rebuke, but retorted that he
only desired to speak with him plainly
in private. To this Mr.. Simmons re-
spoaded, Well, I refuse" The
Mayor then declared, I" The chair votes
ray" and the motion was lost.
A wordy war followed between Aid.
Gonnermann and Weier, in which some
very delicate statements were made.
City Attorney Fisher attempted to cor
rect Aid. Gonnermann, but was
promptly called down by the Mayor.
Honnermann attempted to show the
COCA points of the franchise and de-
clared that Mr.. Simmons proposition
was, An impossible one. Weier roasted
Slush, Gonnermann, franchise and
everything in general and declared
thai the M. r. & K. Co. should not
slide through the city barefoot,
tramping down the rights of the city
and the citizens" and urged that the
question of franchise be left with the
people directly affected.
Here Mr.. Simmons again took a
hand. Here, he said, are some gentle
men from abroad asking to lay rail-
way through the streets of the city.
This is all right, but / am citizen of
Kenosha and have the rights of such.
TIL. franchise is valuable one and
the aldermen have no right to give it
away; it is a crime that such power is
given to Councils. Continuing, he said
he would put his proposition down in
black and white and place bond Of
100000 that every provision would be
carried out to the very letter. Re de.
clared that the promoters of the NJ. r
& Z. had no right to demond preced.
ence while he had earned his right BY
fifty years of hard work in and for the
city. In concluding Mr.. Simmons
stated that he would build and equi1
the road and give the city all thu
profits over 6 per cent. interest OF
the investment. The proposition ht
declared was not matter of sentiment
but matter of business. The appear
ance of Mr.. Simmons pleading for the
rights of the citizens before the Council
has made picture never to be forgot
ten. Every statement he made in hi
heroic defense of the peoples rights
elected warm applause, but none o
them seemed to affect the aldermen
The rules were suspended and Aid
Gonnermann was granted permission tt
speak. He declared 5nat Mr.. Simmons
proposition was not as good as the one
made by the M. r. & K. Tarbell was
on his feet in a moment and declared
that Mr.. Simmons was willing to accept
the very same franchise.
Mr.. Slush now appeared and spoke in
favor of the ordinance, dwelling espec-
tally on it's good points and urging that
Mr.. Simmons proposition was imprac-
ticable and impossible and said that
his company we're ready and willing to
do anything fair by the city.
The ordinance was then given its
first reading. Messrs. Simmons and
Slush then came together for a hot
personal debate, ending by Mr.. Sim
mons declaring in an impassioned
manner, have right to this fran
chise and you have not" Mr.. Sim
mons also touched on the matter of the
reliability of the M. R. & K, declaring
that every cent of it's property was
covered by first mortgages and judg
ment against them was worthless and
the city could promise no damages to
any one should they be injured in an
accident on the line. Mr.. Slush re,
torted that the assertions were broad,
and Mr. Simmons attempting to reply,
was called down by the Mayors gavel.
Later the Kenosha man declared that
be was not fighting against the M. r
& K, but only for the interests of the
city. Amidst the utmost confusion the