The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-15
Gives His Reasons in an -" Interview. CITIZENS MADE PROTEST Big Petition Against Privilege
 Was Presented. Chief Executive Says If He Had Been Member of Council, Would
 Have Voted for Postpone
 ment--The Amended -. Ordinance.

Mayor Joseph yesterday morning at- tached his signature to the gas Ordi- nance. and it thereby became a law of the city.
 When seen later in the day. the May or said that he had not signed the or dinance the day before because Of the fact that he had promised to await the filing with him of a petition against his action.
 The Mayor was asked. in view of the great interest shown by the people and the wide discussion of the matter in the newspapers of the city and ether wise, to submit to an interview on the subject. for the information of the public. giving the reasons for his sign ing the ordinance. To this he assent ed. adding that he was not in favor of any speedy action by the Council. He said:
 Statement of the Mayor.
 "I am free to confess that had l been q member of the Council, l would have voted to postpone the consideration Of this ordinance until nearer the time of the expiration of the franchise of the Light Company, and so expressed my sell to members of the Committee who had the matter under consideration. The fact. however. that the Council by a nearly unanimous vote. on three separate occasions, after extended public discussion. refused to do this was clearly an expression Of legisia- tive policy against which do not pc rhA oyarpirP the executive veto. As a practical fact. there was no reason to believe that Aldermen, who had carefully consid- cred this phase of the subject would have changed their votes merely on the dissent of the executive.
 1T wish to say. and I will be borne out in this by members of the Coun- cil who discussed the matter with me, that. in submitting the three amend ments that were adopted, there was no intention on my part. and 1t was so understood. that they In no way inn ited the action of the Council. Such other and proper amendments as they saw fit to make was matter concern ing them. ,,., finally adopted by the Council' ana which you state in your editorial or the Ath inst. are of minor importance, l would say that, to the contrary. they were very radical. and, in my opinion. protect the interests of the people Of Montgomery better than could possibly be done by any other means. l would ask that you print ir parallel columns as below the original sections and A. and the said sections as amended by my sugge stion.
 The Original Ordinance.
 Sec. 8. Be it further ordained, That tho Montgomery Light and Power Company, it's successors and assigns, shall at all times furnish to the City of Montsomery and its inhabitants, such quantities of gas of the most ap- proved quality. for lighting. heating. and other purposes. upon the several streets ailcys and public places in which the pipes shall be laid. as may from time to time be required by the City Council of Montgomery, except when prevented by the acts or Provt- iencc and unavoidable accidents. For gas furnished to the city of Montgom- cry the said company shall not charge exceeding one-half the rate per thou- sand cubic foot charged the inhabi- tants. but in no event shall such charge to the city be less than s1, except as hereinafter DroVlded. Snould tne charke to the inhabitants at any time be lees than $1 per thousand cubic feet then the charge to tn ecity shall be the same.
 Sec. {. Be it further ordained. That the said Montgomery Light and Power Company, its successors and assigns. shall at all times supply the iahabi- tants of the City of Montgomery with gas for heatirC lighting and other purposes. at the following cost:
 For lighting. not exceeding S1.62 per thousand cubic feet. net; for heating and other purposes, not exceeding $1. .0S per thousand cubic feet. net. Said pay ments to be made at the time and as required tv the rules of said company Provided, however, that it shall not be required to furnish gas to any person