The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-14
ARE OPPOSED TO
THE MEASURE. ! j h
Council and Aldermen
Take Action on it.
SAID TO BE UNJUST.
Speeches by Messrs. ElIyson, Purcell
and Christian.
TWO RESOLUTIONS PASSED.
Opposing tho Telephone Bill Now
Pending in the Legislature.
Termed Monopoly-Hcatcd
Discussions
Meeting OF Board
Of Aldermen.
SAID TO BE UNJUST.
TWO RESOLUTIONS PASSED.


The Common Council convened in extra
session last night for the purpose OF con-
sidering the telephone bill now pending
in the Legislature.
Several of the incorporators spoke. and
were asked many questions in regard to
their plans, and there was great interest
manifested.
Among some of the incorporators pres
ent were Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson, Colonel
John B. Purcell. Messrs. s. w. IraFers'
and Others
The resolution asking for members OF
the Council and Board OF Aldermen TO
confer with members of the Legislature
In regard 10 the telephone bill was unanl-
mously adopted.
THE PROCEEDINGS.
The members present at the meetlns
were Messrs. Blanks, Bloombers, Camp.
.Cottrell. Curtis, Ebel, Ferguson, CARRIER,
Gibson, Grimes, Gunst, Harrelson,
l1Ieeke, Hobson. Mccarthy, Mills, Miner,
Neale, Peters Pollock, Shea, Tanner.
Teefey, Whaicn. Moody, and PRESIDENT
Caslde.
BY permission Of the Council. Senator
Beverley Is. Munford was allowed 10
speak
MIR. MUNFORD'S SPEECH.
Mr. ,Nunford said he had come TO take
counsel with the representatives of the
city government as to tnetr views ana
wishes in regard to the measure referred
ito. His own position might be briefly
itstated as follows: That while willing TO
welcome to the city any worthy enter
prise, he would never consent, IN the
Night of our past experience to permit
TO
streets which did not first procure the
l-consent OF. the municipal authorities
land conduct its business in accordance
with the city ordinances. Ii the bil
which had recently passed the Senate was
Justly alnepable to the criticisms which
had been passed upon it. he was opposed
ITO such measure, and would use ms
ant1uence with the House Committee, ana
with the members of that body, to have
1t so amended as fully to protect the
t.cIty. Continuing. Mr.. Munford said the
;NoIil passed the Senate without knowledge
on mis- part of its provisions as he relied
upon his colleague, Mr.. Sands, who had
introduced it. He felt confident that MI.
Sands did not believe the provisions OF
the bin referred to would deprive the
city authorities Of control over the ccm-
pany thus sought TO be incorporated. or
he would unquestionably have refused to
introduce it and give 1t support. The bill,
however had passed the Senate, hut it
was not too late to have it SO amended
IN the House as to fully protect the an
rerests of the city, and in this move he
would cordially unite. and believed there
would be no difficulty in securing the
necessary changes.
MR.. POLLOCk'S RESOLUTION.
MIR. Pollock offered a preamble and
resolution, ahe former being as follows:
whereas. Senate bill No. 800, to in
corporate the Virginia Telephone and
Telegraph Company. has passed the Sen
ate of Virginia, and is new pending IN
the House of Delegates, and
Whereas. the scope of this bill is most
unusual, and Its provisions not only
broad, but dangerous. in that it is totally
subversive Of the great principles of local
sen government, repeating the general
statute in force in the State for more
than fifty years. which reaufres the con-
sent of Councils Of cities and towns 10
be obtained before their streets can be
used or occupied a,y telephone or te1e-
grain company, the only limitation in
said bill Is such use being that the streets
and highways be not thereby obstructed.
and The said company shall be subject
to reasonable regulations by the corpo-
rate authorities of any city or town, as
ro the use of the streets and alleys. and
IN respect to tile location and proper
maintenance Of such line of telephone or
telegraph within such city or town..
The resolution provided that a commit
tee from the Common Council and Board
OF Aldermen be appointed and instructed
no go before the Committee General
Laws. of the Legisla ture, and oppose the
passage of the bill now pending.
Colonel John B. Purcell asked that MrS
Pollard. the city attorney, be heard on
the subject.
Mr.. Pollard then gave his views on the
matter and opposed the passage of the
bill on the ground that it would be
detrimental to the city's interests and
would give a monopoly or corporation
right to come here and occupy. the
streets. He thought that it was a vio-
lation OF lie principles OF self-sovern-
1nent. His speech was nearly the same
as the one made before the Legislative
Committee. an outline of which was
published in yesterdays issue.
TELEPHONE MEN TALK.
Judge Christian was the next speaker.
He said that it was the first time that
ne and his associates had been suspected
of being disloyel 10 the people of Rich
anond. He stated that cities farther
South than Richmond had far better
modes Of communication than this city.
has. He asked that the Council view
the matter. not In the light they viewed
the Bell Telephone system. bat in the
right way. These resolutions charge
us with attempting to do something
which, As subversire TO local self-govern-
ment.t said he He said that Mr.. Pol
lock was a good enough lawyer to know
that they could not put one pole or one
foot OF wire on the streets Of Richmond
withou. the consent of the City Coun-5
cil.G But, gentlemen of the City coun-
ell. we have no idea of invading the
streets Of your city without asking your
conscn;
HELP FROM LEGISLATURE
He said that they had TO go to the
+ legislature and ask for such rights as
would enable tham to secure the money
& TO be invested In such an ENTERPRISE. but
that they could not occupy the streets
of the city without the consent Of the
City Council.
ss .At this jnaoture AR. Pollard asked