The Irish standard., 1910-10-29

guarantee TO operate the ROAD IN the
interests of the people, and turn over
Ill the profits above six per cent. on
my investment, to the people them
selves. Lest there should be any
doubt Of my ability to make good"
continued the merchant, Il beg to say
that I have in my hand a forfeiture
check for one-fourth Of the amount in
question, which is certified to by the
City of Gotham National bank"
THE gentleman is out of order"
remarked the presiding officer as soon
as he could recover his equipoise.
1--WE are not auctioning off public
franchises to the highest bidder. We
are granting this one in the interests
of the public to the company which
has already served the people so we'll
and has assumed the burden of the
great system of which this Is the nee
essay connecting link"
"Sir!" cried Gormly, amid chorus
OF groans, Kisses and cheers, Il pro-
test against"
"Any other Interruptions from the
speaker" came quickly from the chair,
"and any further expressions of APP
prevail or disapproval from the spec
tators, will result in the clearing Of
the room by the sergeant at arms
Il CALL" said one Of the aldermen.
"for vote on the resolution"
'Those in favor Of the granting of
the franchise will say aye" immediate
ly said the chairman.
There was a furious chorus of
Shame! shame!" from g great num-
Der Of spectators in which the feeble
"ayes were scarcely heard.
Those opposed" went on the voice
of the chairman, trembling with ex-
citement, will signify it by saying
no."
A laundering shout Of "Noes" rang
through the hall, the few in opposi-
ton making up by their vociferation
for their small numbers.
"The ayes have IT," said the chair
man, hammering on the desk with his
gavel!
Division! Division!" clamored the
opposition.
Those in favor continued the
chairman, disguised at being COM
PEELED to put the administration thus
on record. but powerless to prevent
It will stand up
Amid shouts and cries and disorder
never before equaled, the members of
the administration got to their feet
The whip that had been cracked over
their heads had been used to effect.
Some of them were mere ignorant
tools; others we're able to understand
what they were doing. They all voted
alike. A score of alert reporters from
carefully prepared lists were checking
on the votes.
"The ayes have It; the ordinance is
passed." cried the chairman trium-
phantly, after the noes had been called
to their feet and counted.
Il move" said Alderman Hellman,
that we do now adjourn."-
/ The motion was carried with rush,
and instantly the spectators began a
wild scramble from the hall. Among
the first to leave was Gormly. The
corridor and stairs were packed with
people who had been unable to gain
admittance to the chamber, but had
learned what was toward.
When Gormly's well-known figure
was seen in the doorway, great
shout of acclaim rose from the multi.
tude.
Gormly had not intended to speak;
but the opportunity was too good to be
lost. AS he descended the steps, the
cheering changed into demand for
speech from him. No hastings had
been prepared, but by the curbstone
stood a big, high-powered automobile.
1t was filled with people. Livingstone
Haldane sat in the chauffeur's seat.
The place beside him was vacant.
up here, Mr.. Gormly!" he cried,
pointing. Without observing who was
in the tonneau, Gormly clambered up
to the seat and stood on it. He was
thus lifted sufficiently high above the
crowd.
Fellow citizens" he began as the
cheering subsidized and the multitude
gave him opportunity to speak. you
know that in order to complete the
ring Of oppression which holds the
city in its iron grasp under the name
of the Gotham Freight Traction COM
pany, It was necessary that the old
franchise OF the New York Street Car
company expiring today should be-
come the property of that company.
Through the franchises they already
enjoy, they have created an institution
that will enable them to continue
their predatory practises-"
Talk English!" shouted a voice
from the crowd,
Thank you, my friend" answered
Gormly. (Which will enable them to
steal from you your money your earn
ings, your investments, your profits,
your capital. whatever you have for
the next one hundred years. They
have sold bonds to pay for the build
ing Of the road; not one cent of their
own money has gone into It, They
have issued stock to themselves to
double or quadruple the value of the
investment, and they are determined |
to make you pay interest, large inter-
oA hof e$N IN