The Cairo bulletin., 1904-03-17

A meeting OF unusual interest was
held by the city council last night, at
which much argument was indulged
in and some i'll feeling voiced. The
argument was not without purpose, or
upon trifies; but upon a subject of
much Importance TO the city, which
called for earnest attention, and 1t
was therefore proper that the peo.
pies representatives should evince
deep interest 1t was the proposition
to provide light for the city under an
agreement with the Cairo City Gas
company and the Cairo Electric and
Traction company. 1t came up in the
form of double committee report, a
minority and majority report, the
latter recommending the acceptance
of the lighting companies PROPOSE
tions for allnight service, and the
former favoring the proposition for
midnight service, The latter was
finally adopted. with an amendment
that all-night gas service be substi.
tuted for the electric lights after mid
night.
The reports of the committee hav-
ing been read the mayor submitted a
statement giving list of the cities
where all-night arc lights of 1000 can
die power were said to be furnished
at less cost.
The mayor took the floor and
argued that the price charged for
light In the propositions Of the Cairo
companies was not legitimate; that 1t
vas too high he wanted action defer.
red; he said he had not been fairly
treated before the committee the 9th.
or night, had been insulted and not
given fair chance. Messrs. Ais
thorpe and Wright had been invited
to the committee meeting and they
had no business there. The commit
tee should havd permitted him to
make his report on the subject in his
own way. and could have taken his
word just az we'll as that OF others,
as his word was just as good as that
of the other people II tell you. gen.
tlemen," said he, seven dollars a
month for are lights is too much. |
represent a good many people in this
town as mayor Of the city. and ! tell
you the people do not want you to tic
the city up with contract You will
make q mistake il y0u do IT., and you
will hear from the people
Alderman Wood-Do you know of
your own personal knowledge that
the figures given In the list you have
submitted are correct?
The Mayor-You didn't ask that
about the other list.
Alderman Wood--So far as | am
concerned. | want you to understand
that am just az anxious to protect
the interests of the people as you are
or any one else You talk about es-
tabishing a municipal lighting plant.
and want to say that believe that
ii we had the right kind Of a plant we
could provide the city with light
somewhat cheaper that what is offer.
ed MS. but how are we going to get a
municipal lighting plant? You know
as well as do. that we have not the
money in the treasury to pay our Of
ficers this month: and this talk about
establishing such a plant is nothing
but farce under the circumstances
| am not taking the part Of the Gas
company or the Traction company
and ! don't represent them in any
/ sense: but ! know that If these com.
panies had a mind 10 charge us A dol
/ lar a day for the lights We couldn't
/ help ourselves. we would have to
accept IL. or throw the city into dark
ness. instead Of this these gentlemen
come before us and make us a very
fair proposition and | am In favor of
accepting il because ! believe il is for
the best interests of the people.
don't care whether I'm reelected as a
member Of this council or not; II the
people Of the Third ward don't like the
way represent their intrests they
are at liberty TO get somebody else:
but want you and them to under
stand that I'm doing what | believe
to be right and for the best interests
of the city.
Alderman Egan-I would like TO
have the other list read for the bene-
fit of those who have not heard H.