The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-08
Members of Minority Desert Their
ErstwhiIe Czar and stand at the
MajOrity's Back.
MUNRO SCORES A VICTORY
NORTHWESTERN-AV BRIDGE
ORDINANCE GOES THROUGH.
Property Owners Serve Notice that
Stone Structure Is Wanted-Other
Business Considered.

In one hour last night Council ratified
the contract made by the Board of Public
Works with the Indianapolis. Logansport
& Chicago railroad. legalized the bond issue
of 100000 for North Side and South Side
boulevards. authorized a bond issue Of
$4,000 for a new bridge over Fall creek at
Northwestern avenue. passed several minor
measures. considered committee reports
and received new ordinances. The session
was full of interest. and the Importance Of
its action has perhaps not been approached
by Council meeting for several months.
There was not the sembance of a fight
over the passing Of the franchise ordi-
nance. At o'clock yesterday afternoon
the committee on contracts and franchises
met, discussed the measure, and decided to
make a unanimous report in favor OF its
passage. Mr.. Berry. the only Democratic
member present, Joined with the Repub-
licans in agreeing that the railroad should
be given it's franchise on the terms ac-
cepted by the Board of Public Works. At
the proper time last night Chairman John
III. Grail. of the committee. introduced the
report, moved its adoption, and it went
through without a dissenting voice.
WENT THROUGH EASILY.
Later, when it came TO the passage of
the measure. the favorable sentiment
swept it through with the greatest of ease.
Only four votes were cast against it, and
they were from the Democratic side OF the
chamber. Three. Democrats voted for the
passage of the ordinance, Mr.. Moriarty,
the boss of the minority, being among the
number. Mr.. Shea, who was one OF the
four in opposition, made a long speech in
explanation of his vote, saying that he
did not believe the railroad should be al
lowed to enter the city without elevatng
its tracks the entire length of the right
of way. Another objection urged by him
to ratifying the contract was that the
company proposes to enter a passenger
station OF its own. This will Inconvenience
the public. he declared, and is unneces-
sary, since the new road could easily ar
range TO run its trains into the Union
station.
The keen interest of the meeting was
centered on the Northwestern bridge ordi-
nance. The measure authorizes bond
issue of $4,000 for the purpose of replacing
the ramshackle, dangerous structure over
Fall creek at Northwestern avenue with
modern bridge. James Munro, former
councilman, and a property owner i'm the
vicinity of the bridge, has been laboring
with might and main for the ordinance
since its introduction. He has button
holed councilmen, written for the papers,
and induced all his political friends to help
the good work along. Last night Mr.
Munro was about the most nervous man
in the city. because it looked for minute
or two that the friends of the bridge
would not have enough votes to win out.
Chairman Wynnes committee on finance
had returned favorable report on the
measure by majority. although a minority
report, signed by Moriarty and Berry,
urged that the measure be killed, saving
that the city should take steps to repair
other bridges before spending so large a
sum of money for a North Side improve
ment of this nature.
THE BRIDGE ORDINANCE.
When the ordinance was put to vote il
was carried IL to Z. Mr.. Moriarity seized
the opportunity to make speech, saying
he did not want anybody to think he op-
posed public improvements, but he wished
it understood that he was feminist ia
voring one section of the city at the ex-
pense of another. He declared that the
viaduct is about ready to fall down, that
the River-avenue and the Morris-street
bridges are so badly in need of rehabilita-
tion that they are positively dangerous, and
that there are other bridges which should
receive repairs. Mr.. Holiday (Republican)
voted with the Democrats on the bridge
ordinance and spoke in explanation of his
vote This is not mere question of
bridges" he said. THE plain fact of the
matter Is that the city Is spending too
much money. They talk about reducing the
tax levy, but at the same time here comes
lot OF bond ordinances which cannot fail
to be burdensome. After the vote was an
nounced by the chairman, and ii was found
the ordinance had passed easily enough
Mr.. Holiday informed President Billings
ley that he would move To reconsider the
vote at the next session He did not serve
notice in writing and he also failed to
change his vote from no TO ave which of
course. under parliamentary rules. put him
sideration. Mr. Expert somewhat tartlv in
formed Mr.. Holiday that he had no right
TO serve notice. 'Oh, L don't suppose il
makes much Inference" said Holiday.
Its all put up job. anyway, but / simply
want to enter my protest and let people
know where l stand on this proposition
WANT A STONE BRIDGE.
The delegation of North Indianapolis cit
liens present under the wing of Mr.. Munro
was so delighted with the action of the
Council that the members could hardly con-
tain themselves. They congratulated right
and left and Immediately started an agita-
tion for a stone bridge. Mr.. Munro and
others declared that the property owners
want stone bridge and they believe one
can be constructed for the money to be
raised by the bond issue. The sentiment
seems to be that stone bridge is the thing.
and IL will be built II the property owners
of that section of the city can bring it
about.
THE time is past when anything else but
a stone bridge can be considered" said one
of them last night. For beauty and dura
bility stone bridges cannot be approached
by any other kind. Witness the Illinois
street and Meridian-street bridges for ex-
ample. That is what we want and since
absolutely no opposition has deveIoped
among the people who are really Interested
We are confident that We will gain our
point"
When the vote was taken on the ordinance
legalzng the bond issue of 100000 for a
boulevard system-s,0.0o0 for a North Side
boulevard and $50. 900 for South Side boule