Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1904-11-11
THREATENED COUNCIL.
Angry Citizens of Toledo, O, Exas-
perated by Passage of Corrupt
Franchise,

Toledo, o., Nov. 5.-The turbulent
scenes that followed the passage by the
city council last night of an objection
able ordinance extending the franchise
of a local street railway company for
twenty-five years resulted today In
popular expressions of approval OF the
course adopted by the citizens In re-
sentiment Of the act of the councilmen.
Throughout the day the thirteen
councilmen who voted in favor OF the
objectionable ordinance were severely
criticised and the opinion was expressed
that IL they did not rescind the ordi-
under public pressure serious
trouble would ensue.
An immense crowd surrounded the
council chamber last night when he
Objectionable ordinance was passed by
a vote of 13 to s.. There were cries of
thief" 'robber," "boodler," etc. Bottles
Of vile smelling drugs were emptied
upon the floor, and when 1t was evident
the councilmen were to be attacked
a squad Of forty police were sent for.
Councilmen Stoned by Mob.
The demonstration alarmed the of
Tending councilmen, who dared not
leave the chamber without police pro-
lection. One o. two took the risk. and
they were followed, threatened and
SHGAA ENChCs W LAG a aCE(A &AONAy
AT midnight the chamber vas cleared.
and the councilmen were escorted to
their home by the police.
1t Is reported that the wives OF sew
eral OF the councilmen were called up
n notified hat their husbands would
be assassinated IL they dared vote for
the franchise ordinance.
The trouble was on account of a Bit
ter fight ver the extension of the fran
chise of the Toledo Railway and Light
company, which operates all the street
car lines of the city. and which is a,
portion OF the Everett-Moore syndi-
Gates holdings. None of the franchises
expires for several years, but the COM
pany has a largo amount of bonds TO
sell, n the election of the last city
council was accomplished largely with
this subject as an issue.
People Object to Ordinance.
An ordinance was drawn by which
universal transfers and six tickets for a
quarter were made the chief points at
issue AT once an independent party
sprang into existence and grew to large
proportions. Eleven members Of the
council were accused of having been
bought outright to vote for the fran
chise extension. Two wayered and
three opposed il. 1t required thirteen
votes to pass the ordinance over
Mayor H1nchS veto, winch was as
sured.
Then a new ordinance was drafted. In
which the interurban lines entering the
city were not granted good privilege,
they thought, but seven tickets for a
quarter was the slogan.
At the end of ten years the fare was
to be at the rate of eight tickets for
a quarter. The street railway company
intimated that it would not accept
such an ordinance. Nevertheless. the
council by a vote of IL to 3 passed II.
despite the protest of the mayor and a
petition in bog ts," several thousand
strong. which surrounded the council
chamber. AS soon as the election Is
over a supreme effort will be made to
rescind this ordinance and pass the
original seven for a quarter measure.
Bloodshed Is freely threatened. and
trouble is anticipated before the sub
ject is finally settled.