Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-02-18
Provisions of the Ordinances Granting Fran
chises to Various Consolidated Companies
in This City.
One Of Them Was forfeited for Non-Com-
pliance with Contract Back
in 1892.
Some Interesting Information Which the City
Council Should Gall For from Various
Officials.

The Gas Trust paid S2j0.0O0 to men,
bers of the Fortieth General Assembly
of Illinois for u law under which 1t
could rob the people to its hearts con-
tent,
But 1t overlooked a few points that
even bribery couldn't cover up.
Section IL of Article of the Consti-
tuition of Illinois declares that no sub
ject not embraced in the title of bill
shall become a law. There are some
subjects in the body of the infamous
decentralization and frontage bill not
embra ced in THE title. Hence the law Is
void.
THIS LAW. known as the GAS
CONSOLIDATION ACT" empowered
all existing gas companies TO CONSOLE
date with and merge into single cor
poration. (which shall be one of said
merging and consolidation corpora
tons" and inasmuch rs this ACT, con-
veying purpoired 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, AMI 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 and
privileges In the streets Of cities to cor
porations or individuals, except by and
with the consent OF the local authori-
ties (meaning the City Council, 1t Is
unconstitutional on that paint.
LET US LOOK AT SOME PERT.
NENT FACTS relating TO this point:
In ordinances passed by the Chicago
City Council, prior 10 the passage OF
the "Gas Consolidation Act" and un.
der and by virtue and existence OF
such ordinances, certain bonds, con-
tracts, privileges and obligations We're
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 we'll known, and in such Ordi-
nances 1t Is expressly stated, reserved
and provided, to wit:
1. CONSUMERS GAS, FUEL AND
LIGHT COMPANY.-A perpetual fran.
chise passed April IS, 1889, granting
the corporation the right TO the use
and occupancy of the streets, in return
for which the corporation agreed and
bound itself by bond and various pen
altles, 10 lay all feeders and service
pipes at the time of laying main pipes
without subsequent disturbance of the
surface or pavements; TO extend IL
main pipes, when ordered by major
lty OF the City Council. in any block
one-half 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 It's pipes 10 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
sumcrs of more than 100000 cubic fee
per year rebate of - cents per l,UU'
cubic feet: that said company should
be subject 10 all existing general or
dInances concerning gas; that the city
should have the right 10 Inspect meters
ana that the gas supplied should ne o.
the uniform average of IL sperm can
dies, burning 10 grains per hour In
5-fOOt burner; that the company
rights and privileges PROVISIONAL!
granted should be- forfeited unless with
In three years from date OF acceptance
Of the ordnance IL had erected an,
had In operation works and mains sur
hcirnt 10 distribute ten million cuDi
feet Of gas every thirty days, sni'
works 10 cost not less than 100000
that II said company should directly %
indirectly sell. lease or transfer IL
franchise and privileges to any othe
gas company or companies, or cease 4
manufacture and furnish gas for
period OF more than ten CONSECUTIVE
days; or IL II should fail or refuse Il
extend It's main pipes when requested
10 DO so by a majority Of the Council