Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-05-20

The Gas Trust paid S2jO,0OO to men,
bcrs of the Forticth General Assembly
OF Illinois for a law under which II
could rob the people TO Its hearts con-
tent.
But Il 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.
feet 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
cmbra ccd In the title. Hence the law Is
void.
THIS LAW. known rs the GAS
CONSOLIDATION ACT" empowered
all existing gas companies to consol!.
date with and merge into single cor.
pOratlon. (which shall he one OF said
merging and consolidation corpora.
tons" and inasmuch rs this ACT. con-
veying purported authority. grants tn
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. AMI rs the right
10 issue franchises and prescribe terms
for privileges granted thereby Is cx.
pressly reserved tn and held To he 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 authorl.
ties ,ncaning the City Council. It IS
unconstitutional on that paint.
LET Us LOOK At SOME PERTl.
NENT FACTS relating to this point:
In ordinances passed by the Chicago
City Council. prior TO the passage Of
the 'Gas Consolidation Act" and I'm.
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, 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
aud well known, and In such Ordi.
nances IL Is expressly stated. reserved
and provided. to wit:
!. CONSUMERS GAS. FUEL AND
LIGHT COMPANY.-A perpetual fran.
chIse passed April -, 1852. granting
the corporation the right To the use
aud occupancy OF the streets. In return
for which the corporation agreed and
hound itself by bond aud various pen.
aitics, To lay all feeders and service
pipes ~ the time Of laying main pipes,
without subsequent disturbance Of the
surface or payemcnts: TO extend It's
main pipes, when ordered 10y o major
ity 81 the City Council. Ia any block,
one-half of which shall be improved by
bnlldings; that the corporation should
not extend lis pipes beyond the city,
ar allow any connections 10 he made
with its pipes to supply gas 10 any con.
snmcrs outside 0f the city: that II
should not charge more than - cents
l"f ib'A sbi N'i'f' ltlFNs H'i 'Hal ~
general consumers Of gas more than
SI..5 per 1000 cubic feet, giving con.
sinners Of more than 10000 cubic feet
per year a rebate Of - cents per 1000
cubic feet; that said company should
be subject 10 all existing general or.
dinsnc,~ concerning gas; that the city
should have the right 90 Inspect meters
and that the gas supplied should lie Of
the uniform average Of III sperm can
dies. burning 100 grains per hour In "A
5-foDt burner; thar the coinpany's
rights and privileges Professionally
granted should he forfeited unless with.
la three years from date 81 acceptance
~ 'he ordinance u had erected and
had In operation works and mains sur.
ficiebt 10 distribute ten million cubic
feet OF gas every thirty days, said
works 60 coat not less than 500. 900;
that II said company should directly or
Indirectly sell. lease or transfer Its
franchise and privileges 90 any other
gas company or companies, or cease to
panufaciure aud furnish gas for a
.~rlad OF more than ten consecutive
days; or 10 IL should fail or refuse to
extend its main pipes when requested
70 90 % by q majority Of the Council,