The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-19
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT QUESTION
Troubles Of the City Council Over the New
Plant Proposed.
SevenAldermen Are Opposed to Its Construction.
Expressed Themselves Strongly When In
terviewed-Petition to Council.

The Houston city council Is not dwelling
In harmony and brotheriy love just at this
time, as has been quite evident to the pub
lie recently from reading the proceedings
Of meetings held and business transacted
The council is divided on several ques-
lions, but especially upon the city's pro-
posed electric light plant. The mayor and
ave aldermen are in favor OF immediate
construction and operation Of the plant,
while seven aldermen are opposed thereto.
The taxpayers twice voted that the city
should own and operate its electric light
nlant, and bond issue OF 100000 was au-
shorlzed for this purpose. The plans and
specifications for the plant have been
passed upon by the bard OF public works
and the bid made By Mr.. e. J. o'Beirne
Af Birming CHAM. Ala. has been approved.
The matter is stal very much unsettled
however, and will come before the city
council again tomorrow afternoon. As
will be seen by interviews given below.
the aldermen opposed to the erea-
sion of the plant express themselves ia a
very determined manner. strong pressure
is being brought to bear upon them, how
ever, in order 10 charge their views, and
what will be the outcome OF Monday.
meeting is a question hard to determine.
The lineup OF the opposing factions Is
rs follows;
For Against
Mayor Brashear, Robinson,
Aldermen; sonuen,
wooIfOrd, Miller
THOMAS Thompson,
Tuniy, o'Leary,
Benuctt, Auberun'
MAILER HaIyeston.
1t will be seen from this that change
of one vote among the seven aldermen
opposed to the proposition would make
a tic vote. In such contingency the
mayor would cast the deciding vote
which would mean a victory Tor those
favoring tho plan,
During the past week twelve copies O
petition urging tho council to agree e
the erection OF the proposed plant have
been In circulation. and signatures of cit
izens obtained. Mr.. J. J. Pastorlza ha
taken an active interest In circulating tn
petition ana states that signatures hay
been secured on all sides. 1t is state
thar a committee viii go before the coun
ell Monday and present this petition, an
that members OF the committee will max
some very strong and sirrirg remATi
hpon the subject.
4 ~
The petition referred to IN the above
as follows:
10 thu Honorable Mayor ana City cour
ell.
We, the undersigned citlzen5 and tal
payers of the city OF Houston. would r.
apectrully represent that at two separa
elections held In the said city on the 70
lowing dates to-wit: November 20, lSs
and October II. 1888, 1t was determined
a large majority Of the taxpayers taat Il
city should own, operate and control
siectric light plant.
In view of this fact, we are surprs'
at the recent action OF your hlnoral
body in which majority have seen Ill
rspudiate the demands OF the tax pdyli
citizens as expressed by them III tho u
said elections. We readily understa
why an effort on the part OF the city
own and operate Its light plant Shot
meet with strong opposition from parti
Interested IN an enterprise already esii
lished with which the city's plant won
come In direct competition, but we can n
understand why council elected n
commissioned by the people, a majority
whom stand pledged to city ownersh
should now, after their election, attem
TO thwart the demands OF their constIt
sncy.
We firmly believe that the interest
the city would be best subseryed by t
immediate construction OF It's own elecu
light plant and as citizens and taNpaye
we would respectfully petition your nc
orable body to take prompt measures
carry out the demands OF the people as e
pressed at the polls, thereby eYldenci
q disposition to redeem your pledge
yielding to the viii Of the people, despi
your individual views and convictions,
The fiimsy pretext is offered By tho
opposing the enterprise that plant ad
euate to the necessities OF the city c
not be constructed ready for successful G
GRAFTON for the authorized amount of I
bond issue, one hundred thousand $50
oo0) dollars.
To controyert this we have the opini
Of one OF the best electrical experts o
a bona flde bid from a reputable contr;
tor, secured by thirty thousand (s3
o00) dollar bond. and guaranteed by So
eral OF the strongest institutions oper
ing in the entire country; In addlt
thereto, the plans and specifications b.
been passed upon by tho board OF pub