The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-06
TURN DOWN IEVEE GRANT
2t Il
ALDERMEN FAIL. TO ACQUIEsCE in
THE ASSEMBLY'S
faction
MEASURE SENT TO COMMITTEE
Opponents of the Proposed Grant
Get n Hearing and Succeed
in Preventing Its
Passage.

The proposed union depot leyee. grant
which went through the assembly Mon
day night with flying colors failed of
consummaton at the meeting of the
hoard of aldermen last might! - - Three
aldermen, Messrs. Knauft, Bantz and
Holt, refused to acquiesce in the gen
eral sentiment that it would be a benefit
TO the city, and by their vote sent it to
the committee on streets for further con-
sideration.
When the vote was taken on the pas
sage of the proposed grant these three
gentlemen entered-Fa negative, and for
five minutes the measure was dead, but
new life and hope was infused when Aid.
Dobner asked for a reconsideration and
with the aid of Aid. Bantz and Holt had
1t sent to the conan1ittee on streets. The
council chamber was we'll filled with rep
resentattve business men favoring the
grant and when its doom seemed set
tied the silence Was impressive, the sit
uation only being relieved when ray
of hope was gained by Aid. Dobner' $
timely interference.
The general IMPRESSION was that fur
Their talk in favor of the grant might de-
tract from its&passage, and when the
measure came aip=fpr consideration only
one voice was raised in its favor, that of
Aid Hunt, who said he hoped that the
board would pass it
OPPOSITION IS ACTIVE.
On the negative side, however, material
in plenty was found, George Hazard,
representing the river interests; IL. D.
FairchiId and Aid. Knauft speaking eX-
haustively on the subject. Mr.. Fairchiid
admonished cantfon9 as the river some
day would be the Highway of commerce.
and then St. FaaI " ouid find her leVee
gone and unable to take advantage Of
natural conditions He characterized the
proposed passage OF the ordinance as
most disastrous and likely to affect the
destiny of St. Paul for all come to come.
Mr.. Hazard reiterated the position he
took at the meeting of the Commercial
club a few nights ago. He represented
the river men, and in substance asked
that no fill be allowed that would inter
fere with the interests of boat owners.
Aid. Knauft placed himself on record
as unaIterably opposed to the grant In
any form He entered extensively into
the subject, giving as his reason that
the board had no moral or legal r.gnt
to give away leVee property. His re-
marks called forth a retort from Aid.
Hunt and there was lively exchange Of
cOurtesies between the two that bode
fair to be disastrous to the friendly feel
ing which one aldermen is supposed to
entertain for another. The debate was
closed by Aid. Murphy calling for a vote
to place the ordinance on its passage,
but Aid. Bantz demurred and wanted it
sent to the committee or streets, that
the river men might be given a hearing.
He called for an amendment. but a sec
ond was slow in coming, and when Aid
Holt finally did raise his voice the presi-
dent refused to recognize him. Lost, "
said the speaker as the vote. to 8, was
announced to him. hut Aid. Dobner Sc
cured a reconsideration and succeeded
in having it sent TO the committee on
streets. On this there was a general eX-
odUs OF spectators from the council cham
Der, and the remainder Of the business
Of the evening was finished without de-
lay.