The Saint Paul globe., 1900-04-20
ENDS FRANCHISE IN 1907
PURPORTED EFFECT OF NEW
ORDINANCE ON EDISON ELEC-
TRIO FRANCHISE
PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY
Corporation Attorney Assured the
Council That 1t Had Full
Power to Pass the Or
dinGnce.

An ordinance terminating the franchise
of the Edison Electric company in st.
Paul was introduced and passed the as
sembly last night without a dissenting
vote. The franchise was secured by the
Edison company in 1885, and was granted
in perpetuity, with a clause providing that
it might be revoked by the same power
that granted it for sufficient reasons, and
in an orderly and considerate manner
that would protect the welfare of the in
vestments made under the privileges of
the franchise The revoking ordinance
was introduced by Assemblynan Ben
son. AS soon as the clerk finished read
ing the ordinance Mr. Benson moved its
passage. Assemblyman Thompson made
strong appeal for reference to the COM
mittee on streets. and for an hour the
battle was waged, Mr.. Thompson being
almost alone in his fight. He raised the
question of the sufaciency Of the ordi-
nance to accomplish what was intended,
and was answered by Mr.. Albrecht, who
gave him assurance that the measure was
drawn infthe corporation attorneys office
and would stand the fire of the courts.
a'Youea are so anxious to have this meas
ure pass without committee considera-
tion," said Mr.. Thompson, II want to
know if you know 1t will only involve the
city in needless litigation and cause a
failure when we all desire success? %
"The corporation attorney is here" said
Mr.. Albrecht, who was on the floor, land
he will explain the legal aspect of the
case"
Mr. Markham came to the clerks desk
and stated that he had given the measure
the most profound consideration, and was
Of the opinion 1t would be sustained in
Il,
action by the council would not stand,
but that the action was not arbitrary, be-
cause the company was given seven years
notice, which would be considered suffi-
cient to protect investors and owners in
their rights under the old franchise, there
being no denial of the right of the COM
pany to seek another franchise from the
city.
Mr. Thompson then withdrew his motion
to send the measure to committee and Mr.
Benson moved suspension Of the rules to
place the measure on passage. On the
vote the rules were suspended and the or
dinance was passed without dissenting
vote.
The city engineer submitted report
that $5,957 was due the city from the street
railway company for street cleaning for
the year 1899. How much was due on pre-
vious years the city engineer had not been
able to ascertain, and asked for further
time.
The assembly concurred in the mayor
veto of an ordinance for a three-plank
sidewalk on Rivoli street, and passed an
ordinance permitting the Northwestern
Telephone company to erect poles and
string wires on Parnel street.
A re-draft of an old ordinance vacating
certain lots in blocks along the levy below
the Watrous Engine company's plant on
the West side was passed. The ordinance
is in the interest of George w. Cahoon,
who wants to establish and maintain
sheet metal factory at that location.
The final order widening Como avenue
from the bridge to Front street was pass
ed, and the city engineer was ordered to
build a fountain at the east terminus of
sherburne avenue, to cost not more than
$780,