The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-28

colloquy, it was agreed TO change the
amendment SO that the company should
deposit 100000 in century bonds to be
forfeited should the company fail to place
its service in operation in the various
districts.
The amendment was adopted.
MAXIMUNLs RATES
Some, discussion was INDUCED in on an
amendment fixing the rates. MIR Glass
offered an amendment fixing the maxi
mum rate at $40 a year for cities and
towns, and IS for county and district
use.
Amendments were suggested to this
amendment, but the Senator from
Lynchburg would not agree to the low
cring OF the rates as suggested. because.
as he said, a monopoly would cnsue. If
a maximum rate was not held, other
companies would be crushed out No
maximum rate means annihilation to in
dependent companies. and when the an
inhalation is completed then the people
would pay tribute in thousands of dol
lars.
The granting of this charter is placing
the giant monopoly of the western
hemisphere in the State Of Virginia.
All independent companies will be crush
ed out. unless restrictions be placed
upon the company in granting the fran
chise. A maximum rate in the cities.
and a minimum rate in the country
must be maintained. If the amendment
in reference Ito giving the company the
right to go into the courts is wrong
and he did not believe it was-then the
way to rectify it would be 20 place the
maximum and minimum rates.
Mr.. Munford offered an amendment,
fixing the responsibility Of rates upon
the people of the various localities.
The amendment fixed the power of plac-
ing the rates upon the city council and
boards of supervisors of the various To-
caiites.
In speaking to the amendment Mr..
Munford said that either the system out
lined above. or the maximum and mini
mum rate should be fixed.
ITO have the best SERVICE" he said.
eve must have monopoly: we must
have one great company-a company that
gan give us the best obtainable service :
Mr.. Glass withdrew his motion in favor
of that proposed by Mr.. Munford. and on
this proposition Mr.. Flood took the floor.
The proposition that the gentleman
from Richmond makes is one that nobody
of fnancicrS in the country would take
hold Of he said.
Upon motion the chair was vacated and
a recess taken until o'clock.
Afternoon Session.
Although the hour of 4 o'clock was
that to which the recess had been taken.
it was 4:30 o'clock before the Senate as
Sernbled
Mr.. Flood did not Immediately resume
his remarks.
Mr.. Glass offered an amendment fixing
the maximum rate in cities at $50, and
in counties at So
To the amendment 4 substitute was
offered by MIR. Je1fries. giving the Legis-
lature the power to regulate.
Mr.. LuptCn stated that he had agreed
to vote for the bill provided that the
matter Of regulation should be left to
the City Councils, as he had been in
structed so to do by his constituents.
Now. that the amendment as proposed
by Mr.. Glass, and favored by the COM
monwealth's Attorneys from various
cities had been adopted, he stood Just
as ne originally did, and was ready-Eo
support the bill as so amended.
Mr.. Glass. at this point, stated that
he would later on move to strike out
that part of the franchise so amended.
Mr.. Flood, in his well known, vehem-
erFt manner, said that the action of the
Senator from Lynchburg was something
remarkable, inaSmuch as the friends and
opponents of the measure had apparent
ly got together at the morning session.
He then went into the discussion OF the
amendment in reference to the fixing Of
rates, and stated that no one in the Lesis-
lature could tell what the proper rate
should be. How could the rate of the
city of Richmond. with its large use of