The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1902-06-05
City Council Passes the Street Rail-
way Ordinance After a Discus
sion of Three Hours.
WORK STARTED THIS MORNING
Last Night of Fight Over the Ordinance ii
Markedsby Exciting Scenes Company
Makes Few More Concessions.

/ Kenosha will no longer block the
wheels of progress for at the regular
meeting of the Common Council Mon
day evening by unanimous vote the
Council passed an ordinance granting
/ to the Keuosha Electric Railway com
pany the right to construct a railway
line on the principal streets of the
city.
The final struggle for the passage of
the ordinance was a memorable one
and the discussion which preceded the
| final vote took up the time of the
Council for more than three hours. It
was simply struggle to force the
company to make new concessions to
the Council. Many of the aldermen
were in favor of the ordinance from
| the first, but when the final test came
some were in favor of deferring action
for another week. There is no doubt
as to the legality of the passage of the
ordinance and every precaution was
taken to see that no legal loop hole
was left. When the other business of
the Council had been concluded the
ordinance was taken up and given its
first reading. Then the discussion
| began.
Alderman Goodman, while not de-
string to block the passage Of the or
dinance, insisted that the under ground
furniture of the city was not fully pro-
tected. Alderman Moder wanted the
tracks on North Main street pushed to
the center Of the street and wanted the
company to agree to lay the double
track within five years. Alderman
Hermann wanted the company to
agree to build cross walks, and Alder
man Smith wanted to delay the pas
sage of the franchise until there was
full meeting Of the Council.
AS soon as the ordinance had been
read Alderman Pirsch moved that the
ordinance take it's regular course, but
Alderman Anderson was ready with an
| amendment that the ordinance be
given its second reading and placed
upon its passage. The amendment
was adopted by an almost unanimous
vote. g8
| Before the second reading began,
however, several amendments to the
ordinance were made. One provided
that the track on North Main street be
laid in the center of the street as PRO-
posed by Alderman Moder. Another
that the company would lay the cross
walks between the tracks on unpaved
streets and another made the company
agree to run all cars on all lines on an
average of every thirty inmates dur
ing the day.
| During the final debate on the ordi-
| nance Alderman Smith arose and
+ sated that he was opposed to rushing
| the ordinance through on account of
the fact that two of the aldermen were
absent. In answering the speech of
Mr.. Smith Mr.. Arnold arose and with
a rare nerve, considering what was at
stake, he said: 81 can tell the Council
why Alderman Smith does not want to
vote for the ordinance this evening
| Do you want to know?' Not voice
responded and the incident passed off
without further comment. Although
Alderman Smith had stated positively
that he would not vote for the ordi-
nance Monday night his vote was reg
istered with the ma jority on the final
call.
As the clock was striking the mid
night hour the clerk concluded the last
reading of the ordinance and Alder
man Anderson arose and making a
short talk in which he complimented
President Arnold for the business
manner in which he had conducted the
| fight he moved that the ordinance be
placed upon its passage. The roll was
called and every member present voted
loud resounding aye" AS Alder
man Schend registered his vote in
favor of the ordinance Mr.. Arnold
arose and thanked the Council for the
unanimous vote and the big fight was
over.
The ordinance will be accepted by
the company at once, and the work of
building the road will be continued
this morning. AS soon as possible the
cars will be sent to Kenosha and the
line of the local end at least will be in
operation before the close of the
summer.
| The Aldermen of the city are to be
congratulated on their work and they
may rest assured that they have carried
out the full will of the people and tax
payers of the city of Kenosha.