The sun., 1900-02-16


point committee to investigate the
granting OF the franchise and he said il
part:
MY object in bringing this matter be.
lore youswas for the purpose OF attracting
pubic attention to this outrageous
action, enable us to make known our op.
position to the measure and remedy the
matter if possible.
II would say of the members of the
commission, when nights darkness
comes over them and they retire to bed
and think, whether they can feel that
they have kept their oaths or whether
this action is in keeping with their obli.
cations.
"This is serious matter. 1t is a
crime against free government and hon
est peop.e and one which shall not.have
been sufficiently administered until the
act creating the Department. shall have
been wiped from the statute books of the
State.
@"This is time for every citizen be he
ever so humble, who is capable of ex-
pressing his opinion, to rise up and ex-
press his disapproval of this action of
public officials who have ceased to repre-
sent the people but instead designate by
their action that they represent the
corporations who seek to obtain
from them that which belongs alone to
the people. Such action was never jns-
tilted by law. 1t was never intended
that a body of three created by the Legis.
lature should donate what belongs to the
people, to the corporations. The chain
has been put about our necks and it is
now time to call stop. We have suf-
Tered too, and we must suffer no longer.
no power has ever existed which ignored
the people, which has not sooner or later
met its doom. The stone has already
been cut and the doom OF the depart
ment sealed.
u cal on our friends of the press on
Dehalt OF the people to assist us in letting
the people know the true condition Of
affairs.''
Mr.. Oberly said he heartily agreed
with Mr. Monaghan.
President Alexander then made an
eloquent speech in which he denounced
the corporations which have secured
franchises and dwet particularly on the
Wilmington City Railway Company.
He said the action of the committee
had been prompted by more than one
motive. He continned: 'The people
bear the burdens, while the corporations
ENJOY rights without contributing one
lota to bearing the burdens. The real
estate owners pay the taxes while the
corporation which wields car does not
pay cent | do not oppose capital and
think 1T has perfect right to protection,
but so has the humblest citizen who
walks. | believe in competition, and
VINO is against it favors trusts. The
people cannot afford to sit idlv by
and see control OF the highways
being given away by such out.
rageous franchises. Control is given OF
every street and alley, and what is the
compensation? They actually wanted to
pay something but their attorney said it
would not be legal. Our collectors
are now endeavoring to collect taxes for
beds OF streets from the railroads. but
they say they will take it to the court
and make it cost more to get them than
they amount to. In other cities all cars
are taxed. Now, with all these fran
ehlses, we may expect to see dnels
between rival companies for using
the streets. hope Won will
register your vote against this outrage
and assure the people that you are with
them fer the rights OF the common npo-
pie as We'll as corporations. The fran
chise Is violation OF the Jaw of common
justice"
Mr.. Fisher said he didn't want it
understood that he was in favor of the
Street and Sewer Department..
Mr.. Smith thought the light should
be turned on the matter. President
Alexander said he excepted no corpora
tions in his remarks and said he includ
ed the Wilmington Coal Gas Company
and the Wilmington Electric Company.
The vote was then taken and the reso-
Intion was carried by a vote of 10 to 8.
The Republicans voted against it.
President Alexander then had the
blanket franchise read.