The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-09-02
ELECTRIC LIGHT PROPOSITION.
Are the Seven Aldermen simply stub
horn or Acting for ReSt INTEREST,"

horn or Acting for Best Interest.
To the Editor OF The Post
Houston, Texas, September IA good
deal has been said is being said, and
viii be said about the city owning and
operating an electric light plant, and no
doubt investigation has not been made to
such an extent as to disclose that there
are two sides to be considered The all
dermen who oppose its construction under
existing circumstances are dealt with in
no unstinted manner and in terms not
over complimentary by some of the press,
and by same not thereof. 1t is freely cen
ceded that public servants for their wIful
errors, stubbornness or unfaithfulness
may justly merit unsparng criticism from
the public and the press; full investiga-
tion may prove that there are two sides,
one OF which, however, passes unnoticed
for the moment, or for the purpose osten-
siDly TO justify measure OF indignation
TO be melted out and the recalcitrants
made to feel the sting
judging from interviews had with some
OF the aldermen in The Post of recent
date it does not appear that they are 5p-
posed to the city owning and operating
an electric light plant, but, on the con-
trary, some OF them, II not all, favor it,
but under such conditions as would best
serve both the interest and reputation Of
the city.
They are mindful that the citizens voted
to issue 100000 for the purpose of in-
sailing an electric light plant, presumably
of sufficient capacity for the city, and at
that time the public were led to believe,
by some one, that the same could be done
for that amount. Well, this in a meas
ire is in line with the sewage PROPOSE ion;
they were led to believe that it could be
constructed for about S25O,000 and the
citizens honestly voted to issue 100000
for that purpose. The query pow Is, VIII
it DE done for twice that amount? 1t looks
like this city will always 60 away from
home for some pretended expert to rope
them In
Now, to review the sltuarlon us present.
ed to the citizens: When the first vote
was cast to issue bonds for light the CITY
liens Electric Light company, "let 1t be
said had a poor plant; there were COM
plants about the service; 1t WAS believed
they would go into the hands of receiY-
er and eventually 90 by the board. The
natural conclusion in the public mind was
that the city should erect plant and that
$1,000 would, II no more, at least make
a start, What are the conditions now
Look and see. The city has a contract
with the electric light company and the
Federal court will hold 1t to be go d
con ract unless perchance, there might be
some person who thinks he knows 1t all,
-but does not" who will be good enough TO
show the citizens that II can be set aside
Unless this can be done Dc Ii god polcy
at this time, simply because 1t was re-
ferred TO on campaign platforms or TO re-
aar ION Snpud
money and foist upon the city such por-
ton of a plant as they ought not to have.
and still pay for light under contracts
Scarcely majority of those who voted
for the issuance of the bonds would so
decide Therefore the aldermen who eX-
press their opposition under these condl-
ti5ns do not say to the electors; you
shall not have an electric light plant al
though you have voted the money so 70
d." But they say NEST emphatically by
their actions: I'VE invite your attention
TO the confronting conditions. Husband
the money until you can add more to It;
then, when you are not under contract
put up such a plant as the city ought to
have; such plant that the citizens VIII
have pleasure In referring 70. We are
unwilling to saddle that debt upon tne
city for an abortion. We do not seek TO
divert the money 10 any other purpose.
But of course this does notssuit some,
who. without investigating the conditions.
at once proclaim: The citiz+-s voted this
money for that purpose and whether or
not II is the proper thing to do at this
time we want it. mora especially TO full
fill campaign pledges. The public be
vanderbilt" What do we caro- for the
matter OF economy for the city. We want
plant ana don't care what kind we get,
so that we win out, etc,
Nov let us see how we 90 about con-
sfructing this plant. A board OF lient
commissioners was created by ordinance
some time back to contract Cor plant
and superintend its operation: this with
n view of keeping II out of politics. The
intent may be all right but the act Great t.
ing this board Is all ~rong me CITY
council has no mower TO DELEGATE authority
10 any number OF citizens TO make such
contract nor to make any contract thar
would be binding upon the city; pnr c,,n
the c,,y legally pay to this beard $3.50
ner year for their services, for. as a mat
Ter Of fact. they can render none Tne or,
dinanco creating such board Is void and
=, 80 effect. Regardless OF this, however,