Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1903-02-21
A LIVELY MEETING.
The City Fathers Debate Questions
and Repeal Obnoxious Ordinances.
A FIRE chief APPOINTED.

they being referred to the different
committees to report at the next meet.
ing
After a series of hot discussion the
ordinances changing the street names
were repealed, and the wishes Of the
citizens were granted.
A few of the councllmen wanted to
have the matter referred until the
next meeting. hut the others stated
that public sentiment was so strongly
opposed 10 II that Il was their duty as
representatives OF the business men
to repeal the ordinances at once.
II the storm of opposition had been
visible at the time the ordinances
were passed some of the councilman
would not have voted for Il. However,
all the controversy and confusion as
regards streets Is passed and the
streets are the same as Of old
On recommendation OF Acting Fire
Chief Hubs, Mr.. Nash was appointed
fire chief at a salary of 5000 per year
/ When the body was called to order
/ Councilman NJ Mil'en was the only
member absent.
A petition asking that the city ditch
| be cleaned signed by about fifty tax
payers. was read. II further stated
that the ditch had net been cleaned
for two years On motion the petition
was referred to the sewer committee.
Also they are to investigate the legal
ity of the city to I'LL up said ditch.
A petition asking for a sidewalk on
the north side oi Railroad avenue be-
tween Eleventh aud Twelfth streets,
and another on the east side of
Twelfth street, between Railroad and
Tijeras avenues, were referred to the
street committee.
An unsolicited communication from
Mr. Serey was read. in which he gave
an estimate OF the cost OF street rail
way construction in the city. The esti-
mate for six miles in the city was set
at $50. 400; Of the line to Tijeras can
yon, $50 400; making total of $l69,'
500
Since the matter of municipal street
re ways had come IN NJ. r. Stamm
was invited To 81 FAX to the council
concerning municipal ownership. He
presented a petition signed by cl )u'
$50 business men OF the city, who &
sired the city to contract. own and OPP
crate her own electric street railway
In part he said that Albuquerque could
never be in better position to own
her own street car line than now, by
reason of the expiring franchise, which
would involve no difficulties with the
private ownership. as II would when i
come TO buying them out. He read
statistics gathered from many cities
who own tneir own electric lights
water system and street cars. All he
asked was that the issue be put before
the citizens and taxpayers at the com
ing election an that be was confiden'
II would be supported by at least sc
per cent Of the voters.
The council passed a motion thank
ing nv. Stamm for his address on Q
timely question and referred his sug
gestions to the street committee.
Some time pas Jed in general discus
; sion of the subject in hand. Council
| man thut nc thouEht NV
question OF owning the water system
was more important than owning th'
street railway. The street committee
were also instructed to make investi
cations along this line.
When Mr.. Stamm was making hi
address he said that II the city were t.
p construct and operate water system
they would have to pay the water com
pany the $4,000 a year for the by
drants, according TO the franchise. an
the water company would lower thei
rates to such an extent that IL woul'
be impossible for a municipal owner
ship to make II a success; that II wa
E the old water system. considering tn
5 condition OF It's pipes, and that he ha,
I no intention OF lacking the water ques
I ton on to the street railway owner
: ship
Then come season of interesting
and exciting proceedings. In whicI
) nearly all the councilmen had thei
little say. This was a petition tina
e the ordinances changing the names o
a streets and avenues be repealed
D A motion was made by Mr.. Beavel
: that the petition be granted.
Mr. Hubbs i'm mediately amended III
D motion, that this matter be referre,
a to the street committee to report a
= the next meeting.
5 The amendment was nut before tn
2 house and lost, but net before splrlte,
! discussion took place.
D Those in favor of repeating the ord
. nance did not see any use In carrying
$ the matter over as all the citizen
. wanted IL knocked out.
= Those opposed TO its repeal though
4 1t showing weakness on the part OF tn
J. council to repeal an ordinance. whic
had been passed with due form, with
out proper consideration.
Mr.. Harrison defended the ordir
] ance. saying that the street committe
S had spent considerable valuable tim
y on the changes. and he still believed
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