Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-01-06

The Gas Trust paid S250.000 to men,
bers of the Fortieth General Assembly
Of Illinois for law under which It
could rob the people TO It's hearts con-
tent.
But IL overlooked few points that
even bribery couldn't cover up.
Section IL OF Article 4 of the Consti.
tuition OF Illinois declares that no sub.
feet not embraced In the title of bill
shall become law. There are some
subjects In the body of the infamous
gas.consolidation and frontage bill not
embraced In the title. Hence the law Is
void
THIS LAW. known as the "GAS
CONSOLIDATION ACT" empowered
ell existing gas companies to consoll.
date with and merge into single cor
poration. (which shall bc one of said
merging ana consolidation corpora
tlons." and lnasmuch us this ACT. con-
veylng pulported authority. grants to
all then existing gas companies In the
city of Chicago certain exclusive rights
and privileges. not contemplated by or
given them by any ordinance of the
Chicago City Council. and as the right
20 issue franchises and prescribe terms
FOR privileges granted thereby Is ex.
pressly reserved to and held to be In
herent In the City Council by the State
Constitution of 1870, which provides
that the State Legislature shall not
grant and cannot convey rights and
privileges In the streets Of cities to cor
poratlous or individuals. except by and
with the consent OF the local authorl-
ties Nnean!ng the City Council. 1t Is
unconstitutional on that paint.
LET Us LOOK AT SOME PERTI-
SENT FACTS relating to this point:
In ordinances passed by the Chicago
City Council, prior 10 the passage Of
the "Gas Consolidation Act" and I'M
der and by virtue and existence of
such ordinances, certain bonds. con-
tracts. privileges and obligations We're
assumed by certain gas companies, In
return for franchises granting them
provisional rights In the use and occu-
pancy OF the streets, always subject,
however 10 the reservations held In
said ordinances for the benefit and pro.
lection of the people comprising the
municipality OF Chicago, the intent and
object OF which provisions Is apparent
and well known, and in such ordl-
nances 1t Is expressly stated, reserved
and provided. TO wit:
I. CONSUMERS GAS, FUEL AND
LIGHT COMPANY.-A perpetual fran
chise passed April %, 1852, granting
the corporation the right to the use
and occupancy OF the streets, in return
for which the corporation agreed and
bound itself by bond and various pen.
aities, to lay all feeders and service
pipes at the time of laying main pipes,
without subsequent disturbance Of the
surface or pavements; to extend its
main pipes, when ordered by major
ity OF the City Council, In any block,
one-half OF which shall be improved by
buildings; that the corporation should
not extend its pipes beyond the city,
or allow any connections to be made
with It's pipes to supply gas to any con-
sumers outside of the city; that 1t
should not charge more than % cents
per foot for service pipes, nor charge
general consumers of gas more than
Sl.I5 per 1000 cubic feet, giving con
sumers OF more than 100000 cubic feet
per year rebate of % cents per 1000
cubic feet; that said company should
be subject to all existing general or.
d!nances concerning gas; that the city
should have the right 10 Inspect meters
and that the gas supplied should be OF
the uniform average OF IL sperm can.
dies burning 100 grains per hour In a
H-fOUt burner; that the company
rights and privileges Professionally
granted should be forfeited unless with
In three years from date Of acceptance
OF the ordinance II had erected and
had IN operation works and mains suf,
hclent 10 distribute ten million cubic
feet OF gas every thirty days, said
works 10 cost not less than $500 900;
that II said company should directly OF
Indirectly sell, eas; - transfer It's
franchise and privileges to any other
gas company or companies, or cease TO
manufacture and furnish gas for
period OF more than ten consecutive
days; or II 1t should fail or refra" TO
extend Its mapi nlr<s wasl iequsx.sr,l
- DO 30 By q majority - So 'uncil,