The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-02-09

comply with the requirements of the aforesaid resolution.
 Adopted
 The Committee on Miscellaneous Mat ters reported relative to the communi- cation from David s. Beach in re- gard to the question of Municipal Life Insurance.
 And recommended for adoption the following resolution,
 Resolved That the above communi- cation be referred to the Mayor and City Attorney for further consideration and that they recommend whatever action they deem essential.
 Adopted.
 The same committee reported reia- tive to the resolution of Alderman D. E. O'Neil as follows:
 Resolved, That committee of three aldermen be appointed by His Honor the mayor, to meet with the Board of Apportionment for the purpose of opposing any funds being appropriat- ed for the supply of water for fire hy- drants in this city.
 And recommended the adoptio of the above mentioned resolution.
 The following minority report was received from the same committee: To the Honorable Common Council of
 the City of Bridgeport,
 Gentlemen:-Theu undersigned, a mi nority of the Committee on MiScel- laneous Matters. respectfully reports regarding the resolutions of Alderman D. E. O'Neill de committee to oppose appropriations by Board of Apportion- ment and Taxation of funds from wa ter supply for fire hydrants, and rec olnmends for adoption the following meaSure:.
 Resolved, That said resolution pre- sented by Alderman D. E. O'Neill be not adopted.
 Alderman D. E. O'Neill moved for the adoption of the majority report.
 Alderman Gould moved as an amendment the substitution of the minority report in place of the major ity report.
 Alderman Gould moved that a yea and nay vote be taken. @
 Amendment lost by the following vote:
 Yea--Aldermen Primrose, Wilder, Gould, Bertilson, Fletcher, Bullard, Jackson, OsConnell, Stewart and Fey rer-10.
 Nay-Aldermen D. E. O'Nein, Me- Murray, Mahoney, Cassidy, Clampett, Finlan. Conlin, Brady, Lavery. J. P. ONeil, Paddock and Meyer-12.
 Upon motion of Alderman D. E. O'Neill the majority report was adopt ed by rising vote, 12-10
 The mayor appointed as such com mittee Aldermen D. E. O'Neill, Pad dock and Meyer.
 The city attorney reported as fol- lows: Gentlemen:-
 At the last meeting of your honor able body,a resolution was adopted in structing the city attorney to present to the Council, at it's next meeting, a copy of all contracts and charter rights that exist between the City of Bridgeport and tie Connecticut Rail- way & Lighting Company, also a copy of any contracts or charter rights that exist between the present owners of the Connecticut Railway & Lighting Company's property and the City of Bridgeport.
 In reply thereto I would state to your honorable body that the charter rights of said companies are derived from the state and not from the city and that said companies. in the opera ton of our street railway system, are not governed by contract with the city. The street railway system in Bridgeport is still owned by the Con necticut Railway & Lighting Company but has been leased to the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company for a period of 999 years and it is operated by the Connecticut Com pany.
  it would be necessary in order to place before you the charters of these com panies to- take the original charter of the horse railroad company, which first operated our street railway system, and the east end company, together with all the amendments which have been added thereto in succeeding years, besides the charter of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Rail- road Company with it's various amendments and likewise the charter of the Connecticut Company. If all this matter were placed before you, it probably would not in any way en- tighten you as to the power or control which the city has over the street rail- way system and the companies run ming it. The authority of the city in the matter is determined rather from the powers conferred upon the muni- cipality by the city charter and also from the statutes of the state and from the principles defining and fixing the police powers possessed by a n1u- nicipal corporation in this state.
 This opens up such wide field that it would be practically impossible to intelligently discuss it without having more definite information as to what is desired by you. If your honorable body would ask some specific queS- tion or questions bearing upon the matters concerning which you Seek information, would endeavor to ad- wise you thereon and I am. confident that such a course would be much more satisfactory to you. AS I have stated, if I simply comply with the resolution the Courcil would not have