Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-09
AS SEEN BY LEWIS
Views of Corporation Counsel
of Chicago.
RESULT OF LATE ELECTION
May Bring Great Support to
Roosevelt.
VOTE OF CITY ANALYZED
Busse, With Campbell and Allies, May
Dictate Choice of Illinois in
Next Presidency.

The eloquent James Hamilton Lewis born
In Virginia, once of the state Of Washing
ton, now of illinois, was today exercising
his powers of persuasion on the Supreme
Court of the United States In opposing the
injunction granted by Judge Grosscup OF
the United States circuit court against tho
collection OF about two millions of back
taxes which, Ii is claimed, public utility
corporations of Chicago owe the city. Mr..
Lewis has played considerable part in
all OF these proceedings. as well as In tho
political arenaspf the city. and is now corr
poration counsel of the city of Chicago.
When asked today to the probable eff
feet Of the election of Busse to the mayor
atty Of Chicago on the presidential nominal
ton in the next national campaign Mr..
Lewis merely remarked significantly:
Mr.. Busse and State Senator Dan
Campbell, who has just been appointed
postmaster to succeed Busse, Will be able
TO bring to President Roosevelt a great deal
of support If they wish to reward him with
gratitude for the honor he placed upon
them by these federal appointments"
Mr. Lewis regards Campbell as man
Of commanding influence in his party, and
says that, while he is a strong party man.
he at the same time has the respect of men
Of all parties. Mr.. Busse also, he declares,
has proved himself to be one or the most
astute political leaders the state has had.
las SOAAoChSC Va SSRS'
From all sources" he said, lit is conf
IDENTIFY believed that Mr., Busse Will give the
CITY a strong business administration. and
for myself l say he will receive the
co-operation OF that class OF democrats VINO
nrefer a successful city to successful poll
ties. ... H.. n
large majority had the democratic Waros
on,Iad Tho same vote for mayor that they
nolled for treasurer and alderman Inc re-
suit of the election was the result OF uiVto-
ed democratic party which formed i'seli ~ ..
two elements one insisting upon the I'M
mediate ownership of the street raitroaoS
without condition and the other Tor me
present settlement of the disputes petWesh
the traction companies and the city, Win
ultimate municipal ownership proVioeo ~
Against these two wings OF the democratiE
party were the combined repuplsahs. an
of whom favored the settlement ordinances.
In the democratic party there was uisSals
action on the part of many who DID not
feel that they had been favored IN the uIo
tribution of patronage, Whlie otheIs hau
much complaint over not enJoyIhs piir s,haso
from what was called an open town. lhese
latter elements gave the democratic waros
to Mr.. Busse.
cnnfict Over Street Railroads.
For years the city of Chicago has been
In conflict with the street railroads over
the franchise question. The railroads de-
clined to improve the service, which was
an execrable one, unless they had some
assurance looking to continuance Oh their
franchises to justify them In making tns
expenditure. Taking advantage or TINS SIT
nation. the great body of the citizens IN
sisted that the franchises should not be
renewed. but that the city should possess
itself of the streets and inaugurate the run
ming of the street cars as a municipal un-
dertaking-in other words, should Hhausu'
rate municipal ownership. .
..Tbe city has grown fast and incurred
such great obligations in this CROWN tnat
n had not the money to buy the properties
or to enter independently in the street car
business For these reasons a methou ha0
to he devised by which the companies Woulu
sell their property to the city py pay
ments to be secured out OF the earnings
of the property or upon some long -uiiie coi
ditions This disadvantage caused MANY
neople TO feel that the city was not nilan
cialiy ripe for the undertaking. otheIs
feared the results upon the CITY pecaueo
Of the political despotism that coulu DC
created through such agency by so many
thousands of employees, coupled win ~
nnrtunities for dishonesty known now IN
n,,hlic life by the word graft. FOR these
reasons even many thousands among the
democrats refused to accept the doctrine
Of immediate, public ownership.
A Powerful Combination.
..Nr Russe was nominated through inc
oo-on.ration of the element among the re-
n,,blicans known as the federal force, ana
bis nomination was backed and sustained
nv a set of gentlemen who dominated inc
hill In,