The Minneapolis journal., 1904-12-31

10 the surprise OF many, IHe NAlHhe-
sofa Power and Trolley company was
granted a franchise by the city council
last evening. When it was learned
what powerful interests were supposed
to be behind the opposition, the know
ing ones predicted the eventual defeat
of the franchise ordinance and the final
vote of 16 to 9 in favor of its passage
carried on with the utmost decorum and
strict observance OF parliamentary
practice. was highly interesting. 1t at
tracted more spectators than have been
present in the council chamber for a
long time, and to many OF the alder
men will probably remain with them
as a memorable event. -.
was finished, Alderman D. G.: Chattleld
moved that it be laid over Lively de,
bate followed. Mr.. Chatfeld argued
that a matter of such Importance as
granting an electric franchise for such
long period ought not to be, cons1d-
cred hastily. The ordinance had not
been published more than a few days
and with the exception of some of the
aldermen no one knew what 1T CON
tained. No harm would be done if ac-
tion were delayed until all interested
persons had satisfied themselves that
it was all right. He said that he ia
vored the ordinance .1H p?5sona;1y Gspnf;dg but
| WOulu ike lul Uuc1 CohoAAOA oAOh'
Alderman F. NJ. Powers reminded the
last speaker that, instead OF being
hastily acted upon, the matter Of an
electric franchise had been under con-
sideration by the council for about six
teen months The proT,slGns 9nm Tegaraps raip
franchise period, and provisions for ac'
QUESTION of an electric plant by the
city, had all been discussed when the
Minneapolis General Electric compa
ny's ordinance was under considera
ton. The council had employed an ex
pert to make report on mun1clpa
plant, and after giving the question
Sixteen months consideration and oh
tanning every possible concession ant
, safeguard that any one could possibly
2 suggest, it was fully competent to vote
at this time.
A Junket Suggested.
l Alderman A. E. Merrill also pleaded
7 for delay. He liked the ordinance, bu
: thought that if a committee was sen
f about the country, it could obtain muc]
/; valuable information which should D
e embodied in the ordinance. 1t was de
4 sirable to defer action when 1T wa
n sought by an influential Commercial
e body. :, =,
l. Alderman C. B. Holmes wanted t
i vote then and there. The. Commercla
f club, he said, had been invited tW
j. weeks ago to delegate representatlv
n to assist in preparing the ordinance
|. The subcommittee had met on nume1
g Gus occasions, but no member OF tn
club appeared, nor were any Sugges
I. tions received until the last meetin
:, Of the general committee, week agt
j. when a representative appeared an
said that the ordinance was an exec
p lent one and protected the city IN ever
IS way. ,
J. Rand explained that the delay did nc
mean one of two weeks, as had bee
plausibly argued, for the new member
"a of the council would not be ready fe
~ vote at that time and could JUST
:, ask for fair amount OF study on th
u y question. He asked for an expressio
~ Of opinion, and if it was unfavorabl
~ there would be no use for further arg
ment. =.
T. = over was lost by the close vote or
-, ~ to 13, as follows:
" Yeas-Lane, chatheld, s; F.: Adams, MS: Merri
NJ J. Nelsol, McLaskey Vaughan, clark, a.
1T Adams, schoonmaker' Van Nest rres'oen' jon
le NaysRyan, Gerber. Mgmm nI!e: Nye Homt R1,rnt
r. Peter Nelson, Westphal-l3
N There was no further obstruction
t. the final passage OF the measure, al
Yees-Ryan Gerber. Mumm, Nye, Holm
Rand McI.askey, Vaughan, Powers, Larson, 4
G Coy. Dwyse; Du5yea' Peter Nelson "e'fp'
~ Nays-Lane, Chatfeld. s. e. Adams. Merr
n J. Nelson Clark A. S. Adams, Schoonmah
9 '411 Alderman Bow not present.
- It was an amusing sight to see
r. race between Messrs. Chatfeld al
" Rand to spring the reconslderatl
- game, the former to give a notice
Reconsideration at the next meeting a.
the latter to move to reconsider. l.
or former started to rise while Preside
~ ~ Jones was still announcing the passa}
~, -, but the latter went up in the air IL
cel o- the famous Billy Bounce and won by
re re hair. There was substantial vote
~ ~ favor of reconsideration, but noes |
~ by Messrs Powers, Rand and Holm
20 drowned ayes and the contest was ov
ng Amendments Voted Down.
rO-
he During the reading Of the ordlnar
number Of amendments were propos
ooo chiefly by G. B. Holmes and James
900 nil, 70 orOon 6mantS WI