New-York tribune., 1902-12-17

7 cent Of the Republicans favored the franchise
Alderman Whitaker from Captain Norton
Goddards district, and Alderman John Diemer,
Republican chairman of the committee on rail-
roads. All of these men are confident that they
can satisfactorily explain their votes to their
various constituencies.
Alderman Goodman the Republican floor
leader. started the franchise ball rolling at
29o1 o'clock by calling up special order No. 63,
the majority report the franchise, and NOV
ing its adoption
Alderman Mccall offered a minority report,
setting forth the argument against adopting
the franchise unless it included the labor
clauses. Alderman Wafer, of Brooklyn, mem
ber of the railroad committee. offered still an
other minority report, referring the franchise
back the committee for further public hear
ings
Alderman Walkley. speaking on the question
of referring the matter the committee on
railroads. declared that the rights of the city
were safeguarded by the franchise presented,
and he objected to delay. He professed himself
in sympathy with the Iaboring men, and in
sisted that the interests of the laboring men
would not be antagolized by the passage of
the franchise.
Alderman Mccall interrupted Alderman Walk
ley, and said that many members wished to
be heard the time each speaker should have the
sion, which ended in the passing of a motion to
limit each speaker to ten minutes
Alderman James spoke at length against the
recommittng OF the resolution.
President Fornes suggested that the question
was to recommft the matter
Il am leading up to that said the speaker,
which caused general laughter, and fol-
lowed by discussion tending further to limit
the speaking.
hat ", bf< ooin
ion ali the members were ready to vote.
Borough President Jacob A. Cantor suggested
, that the whole question be thrown open to de-
bate and the propositions be voted on sepa-
rately.
RECOMMITTAL DEFEATED.
A vote on the question was called. the question
being the minority report of Alderman Wafer to
recommit the matter. Alderman Meyers, in
rising to vote, said that the demand of the peo-
PIE of the city against delay. The Board Of
Aldermen he declared. trial on the Ques-
ton
President Cantor said he would prefer that the
franchise be acted upon at once than to have
the matter delayed. and he voted in the mega
tive
The motion was lost by vote of 30 to 35.
This was first blood for the friends of the
franchise, and the Tammany men looked glum
Alderman Doull declared that the Republi-
csn narty of the State was attempting to pass
this franchise and instructing the mem
bers how to vote
Alderman McInnes asked him to name one
man who had been called up and told to vote
for the franchise
Senator PIatt is using his power to push the
franchise through answered Alderman Doull.
LIE" CRIES M'INNES.
.eThat is lie" declared McInnes, amid much
excitement and cheers from the Republican
side
Alderman Armitage Matthews read from the
| fl sion platform which Mayor Low ran' IN
which IT was declared that the franchises of
the CITY should not be granted for any but a
ebort period He objected to the passage of the
| franchise because il is perpetual franchise.
He also declared that the contract should be
published so that the people might read ana eS-
| nress their opinion. He called it folly for the
| BOARD of Aldermen to attempt to pass upon SO
| important matter so hastily
| For ten years he said, the city would receive
s75 600 a year. That he declared was prac-
| tica,Iv nothing. To police the Grand Central
| c+otion cost the city $4,000 The Pennsylva-
M. station he said, would be three times as
| 1.rse and the expense of the city much greater
He protested against the granting OF a per-
| netual franchise, any franchise, until 1ts pro-
| ,-ieions had been thoroughly studied and the
| rights of the city fully safeguarded
Stewart spoke III lawn VI ''i0 I'M
uaa;.te adontion of the franchise and objected
| strongly TO any further delay
President Cantor arose to explain MS position
| IL had received from a friend the last word In
s,or of fhe massage of the franchise.
.r CIV to Mr. King of the Merchants Asso-
| lection il must be conceded that the present
- of the franchise is much better than 1t
- .. 1rst he declared. He added that II the
| Danrevlvania Railroad should accept the clause
.L,re II abide by the eight hour provision ana
! ,h. prevailing rate of wages Its enforcement
| ,,,5 not he contrary to law.
Tn answer to the assertion that the Feiih
| .,an;a Railroad would suffer emharrassifent
| =. .,a insertion of an eight hour clause MI
| C.or declared that he could not sacrlnce
| ,,-;noin,e TO prevent the embarrassment OF
railroad 49, o.re of
| .-rhe,, tell us that labor can take care OF
...,s- ba said Yes; skilled labor can take
80 % itself and organized labor can take care
- ,..a,f i'm, think of the struggles or the iast
a.. ,ars that labor has had to oear-
| r..hoa,, he declared wanted these' Two
| ,,,rtors In the franchise the Mayor ana an
tta oe,cials of the city wanted Them nu' 'iiis 10.
~ .r,oro+;on came in and told the city II II
eiSti 80 hove them. He warned the pooio oi
1.xnusd on third page.