The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-01-11
Accepted and placed on file.
Remarks OF the Retiring President.


before declaring the body adjourned,
spoke briefly as follows
Fellow Members OF the Common
Council:--It is noe my desire to in
but i believe 81 IL not improper for
me TO say a few words in concluding
my term as President OF this body.
feel proud OF the work done by
this Council while | have been Its pre-
siding officer, though I do not intend
to review IL at this time. j particu-
this body upon its promptness in re-
spending to the wishes OF the people
in submitting TO the people the civic
problems upon which they have de-
rnanGed to be heard. Naturally the
most important question that has been
before this body during my incum-
bency OF the office OF President has
been the street railway question. For
many years the street railway ques-
tion has been the great problem with
which the City OF Detroit has had TO
grapple. As we all know. there are
powerful interests attempting to con-
fuse the people on this question and as
one OF the results OF the logged de-
termination OF these persons. the peo-
pie OF the City OF Detroit have been
denied the privilege OF expressing
their desires on this great question at
the polls. and the matter has been be-
fore the supreme Court on legal
technicalities. Technicalities. however.
never did and never will stop pro-
gress.
For myself desire to announce
that after having served as member
Of this body from the Eighteenth
Ward since that district was taken in
20 the city, and after having. during
that time, participated In the delibera-
tions and witnessed the vain efforts
OF this Council TO make a reasonab BILE
arrangement with the Detroit United
Railway, ] have concluded that the
only possible way out OF this great
complicated condition and the only
oh IAN an "A nf ln a
nary citizen Is the municipal owner
ship Of the street railway system. and
In that connection allow me TO say
that j do not agree with the views
expressed IN some quarters that only
property owners ought to be permit
ted To vote on this and other like
questions. The common people may
not be able to regulate the high cost
Of living and other things controlled
by vast financial interests but they
do furnish the bone and sinew OF this
commonwealth and In most cases ben
the burden and pay the freight
1 am convinced that thet incoming
Council ought not do anything about
street railway matters until we have
heard the decision OF the Supreme
Court on the question OF submitting
the whole problem TO the people
There Is another matter that I can
not refrain from referring To en- these
few remarks this evening After .hav-
ing served In. this Council in various
capacities for number Of years 7
have concluded from what have
seen that one OF the most dangerous
propositions this body has TO meet Is
that OF special privilege. This body
ought not TO make fish OF one and bait
~ another. Special privilege breeds
corruption. IL large corporations and
wealthy and influential individuals aid
not from time TO time seek special
privileges we would hear lese talk OF
scandal. A. the great legislative body
OF this municipality the Common
Council ought not TO have any favors
20 pass out. IL shall be my aim when
III step down from the position held bTl