The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-21
Democrats in Council Failed to Vote
with Him on Certain OF His
Pet Measures.
WARWEG HURLS A SURPRISE
HE SEEKS TO REDUCE THE COST OF
ELECTRIC LIGHTING.
other Matters Before the City Fathers
An offer for Old Bridge
wreckage-City Affairs.

The proceedings Of last nights Council
meeting were gall and wormwoOd to James
d. MoViarity, councilman from the Tenth
ward supposed to be the boss of the Dem
ocratfc minority. Not only were his meas
ures and requests coldly scorned by the
Republican members of the body but the
little knot of the minority that Mr.. Mo
rarity hitherto has led unquestioned fell
away from his leadership. Unresponsive
TO the irritated bosss pleas for party har-
mony several Democratic members of
Council rebelled and voted aye TO meas
ures of Republican initiation The contest
that developed the fact that Mr. Mortar
ity's leadership is not invulnerable arose
when Vice President. Rhodes called for the
vote on the ordinance recently introduced
by Councilman Shea, limiting the speed of
electric cars to twelve miles an hour.
The committee on railroads had reported
against the ordinance. Chairman Cooper
had submitted the majority report Coun-
Gilman Shea. very infrequent speaker i
Council, was moved TO a speech in present
ing the report Of the minority. He could
not understand the attitude of Republican
members in killing a measure of so much
Importance to public safety, he said, and
he wanted TO know if the opponents of the
measure knew what high rate of speed
twelve miles an hour is. Mr.. Shea's appeal
was not needed for the reason that the
committee had decided that to limit the
speed of electric cars to twelve miles an
hour would be TO cause an uprising OF
patrons of the street-Car system, who de-
mand rapid service and insist that the.
Board of Works shall maintain it. When
the vote came on the measure Mr.. Mo-
riarity's authority received its first Jolt.
WAS INTERRUPTED.
Mr.. Bnlngsley. in voting against the meas
ure, declared that he objected to it's i'm
practicability. He was interrupted by the
councilman from the Tenth ward.
You know. he said. that you can Sc
cure an amendment changing the section
you don't like" Mr.. Billingsley placidly
continued his statement of objections to the
measure.
''You don't want it amended" again
shouted Mr.. Moriarity; you want to kill
all ordinances like it. Isn't that the truth?''
Il am not addressing you said Mr.. Bill
Kingsley, and continued his speech.
MIR. Moriarity sat quiet until the blow
fell Councilman John WOsiffer, formerly
a willing adherent. in explaining his vote
declared that he believed Mr.. Billingsley
right. Il also vote no." he said.
Mr. Moriarity arose tuning He held the
floor for ten minutes, recalling a list of ac-
cidents which he said had resulted to peace
mitted TO run at such high speed.
How would you like to have your poor
old mothers ground TO pieceS?'' he asked
OF the Republican side of the house. How
would you like to have your children killed
because you will not support this ordi-
nance?"
vote on the ordinance introduced fixing the
functions of the market master and giving
him authority TO allow stands on the curb
stones or sidewalks near the market house
The committee had reported against the
measure Mr. Moriarity massed his follow
ers against IL but four of them refused to
follow. They agreed with the Republicans
by vote OF sixteen to three that the ordi-
nance was not good thing and should be
defeated Mr.. Moriarfty turned in his seat
and cast whitening glances at the recalci-
trant Democrats who evaded his wrathful
eye.
Gradually his support dwindled until
when the vote came on an ordinance pro-
viding that the Indianapolis Union Rail-
way Company must place flagman at its
tracks and Bluff avenue, Mr.. Moriarity's
loud No was the only negative heard.
Turning his back on his associates, Mr..
Moriarity declared that he would not vote
for the measure because Council had re-
fused 10 require other railroads 10 place
fagmen at dangerous crossings. The
other Democrats held different views and
voted with the Republicans. The ordinance
passed, eighteen for TO one against
Throughout the remainder of the meeting
Mr.. Moriarity had little TO say, preserving
an unbroken silence; the serenity of his
face being marred only when he happened
to glance backward at the other Democrats
who had failed him in his hour of need.
COST OF ELECTRIC LIGHT
Councilman Warweg created some sur
prise last night by introducing an ordi-
nance providing that electric lighting COM
panies shall not charge more than 60 cents
per 10000 watts, measured by Watts
meter. for each incandescent burner. and
no more than that amount for each arc
light. The measure provides that the COM
pany shall replenish all burned-out ap-
paratus without extra charge. Mr.. War
veg did not state who is behind the ordi-