The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-21
Meeting Which Opens With Enthu-
siasm, Breaks Up in FigI1t--Ald.
SCholz Badly Beaten.
POLICE CHARGE MOB AND TAKE OFFICIAL HOME
Public Storm the City Hall Preventing Possibility of Ses
sion of Council-"Down With the Fran
chise!' Their Cry.

The big anti-franchise demonstration |
in the council chambers of Whiting |
last night broke up in a frantic hand
to hand fight and riot. Councilman
Paul Scholz, said to be an aspirant for
the republican nomination for congress
from this district. was badly beaten
by the mob. which was finally driven
off by a detail OF police under Chief
OF Police Patrick Lawler, and assisted
to his home. 1t is likely that Scholz
would have been seriously injured had
he not been rescued in the nick Of time
by the officers. The crowd present,
which packed the hall to the limit.
voiced its opposition TO the fifty year
deal in no uncertain tones and many
threats of violence were openly made
against the council in case 1t should
pass the Objectionable measure.
Nearly all Of the voting done by the
people on the franchise question was
done early in the evening that the
referendum was completed in time for
all to be present at the mass meeting.
To say that the franchise would have
been showed under had the ballot been
official would be putting 1t mildly. The
final count showed 372 opposed to the
new charter while only ten were for
1t. Jubilant at this showing the lead
ers then led the way to the council
chamber. which was already packed
long before the stated time.
Plans nre Changed
It had been intended to hold the mass
meeting in Gobel's hall but this plan
was abandoned and the public instead
took possession of the city hall before
the hour for the aldermen to appear,
arrived, and held their meeting there.
When the city fathers did reach the
scene they found their places occu-
pied and the possibility OF transacting
business. impossible. Every available
space was utilized. Even the window
sills were jammed with eager human
| ity after every inch Of the floor space
was occupied
Cheering and enthusiasm marked the
opening of the meeting and precipitous
riot marked the close. When the first
speaker arose to give a detailed ex-
/ planation as to why the council must
not grant the franchise all were re-
spectful, though enthusiastic, John
Westfall carefully unveiled the ins and
outs and jokers of the franchise and
tenness." Every point which the
| learned speaker made which tended 10
unveil the real motive and purpose of
the new charter was received with a
volley Of applause. He tore the pro-
posed contract to pieces bit by bit and
laid bare the hollowness of the take
everything and give nothing deal" A
single glance at the assembled crowd
a "a hao
made that they are anarchists" but
were loyal citizens, fighting for the
rights of the people.
They all felt as H S. Davidson
chairman of the meeting, who stated
in addressing them that they were
rightfully there, they had reason to be
there, and had right TO demand that
the councilmen vote in accordance with
the will OF the people. This was the
sentiment which prevailed in the mind
of every citizen present, in spite of the
contention OF Alderman Long that the
public had no business to be there anC
that they were interrupting the prog
ress of the city business. They did il
truth assume the responsibility for
the night of passing judgment on tn,
merits Of the franchise and in doing 81
took possession Of the hall IN whicl
the council had intended to hold iti
special session. All felt, however
honestly that they We're in the right.
Raise Cry of 'NO Franchfse.-
Mr.. Westfau was followed by a nun
Der of citizens who gave short talk
against the passage Of the measure
each bringing out several points tha
had not been touched upon by the pre-
vious speakers. The meeting move,
along with oily smoothness until on
! only advocates Of any form OF a fran
: chise in the hall, began rubbing tn
. fur the wrong way and enthusiasm
gradually turned TO anger. DR. vii
r liam E. Putnam was the first Of thes
r speakers. who. though opposed TO th
t franchise in it's present form. sug
gested that the attorneys OF Whiting
! draw up a charter according to thei
2 own ideas and submit 1t to the rail
! way company. The words were hard
" out of his mouth before he wa
: drowned with a chorus OF no fran
; chise" hurled at him BY the crowd
r During the remainder Of the meet
1 ing this became the watchword OF IL
! crowd. It was shouted with a deaf
j ening noise at all speakers who int
: mated that they would advocate
I franchise in any form
4 c. r. Greenwald. city attorney. Jane
Nejdl. and Alderman Long were anon