The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-02-24
ALDERMAN EARHARDT'S POSITION
His Remarks to City Council on Tues
day Night on Southern Power
Company Franchise.
Mr.. Mayor and Gentlemen Of the

had hoped that as far as the action
of this body was concerned that this
question was settled. I 1Re tried to
make it a rule of my life in public
matters to first satisfy myself that I
am right, then act, and stick to it.
In what I shall say now, I shall
mean nothing personal; but in order
to be thoroughly understood a little
plain talk will have to be INDUCED in,
and 7 believe that the time has come
to talk plain.
In the first place, who are we, what
do We represent, and what are we
here for? Are we men, capable OF
forming opinions of our own, with the
backbone to stick to chem, or are we
clay in the hands of capitalists and
fnanciers to be moulded as they see
fit. and as their financial interests
may dictate? The position we hold
is an important one; the public have
reposed in US their confidence and
trust and it behooves us as true men
to meet every issue squarely and see
that all receive the same just and fair
treatment-witk "eQual rights to all
and specia, privileges 20 none"
In the position I have taken on this
Southern Power company franchise, l
have been, and am, honest. l have
heard it whispered around that my
opinions were those Of our Attorney
that I an playing second fiddle to
some oae eIse:s vieWS-Io Wlich |
shall say, that those who have or hold
such opinions Of me, are welcome to
their thoughts. / shall not disturb
them. If my opinions on this ques-
ton coincide with those of another, I
am proud of it. But I thank God that
wear no mans collar, nor do not at
this time in my life propose to bend
the pregnant hinges OF the knee that
thrift might follow fawn:ng.''
I say the position we hold on this
council is an important one. Why?
Because, we have been put here to
look to and protect the interests of
the public generally in just such cas-
es as is now before US. And we
should be above being discussed upon
the streets by interested persons as
to who could be used to work" or
''fx' such and such an one to vote as
they wish, as I understand has been
done in regard to some of us-and I
hope I have been misinformed; for l
believe that every man on this coun-
Gil is capable of forming his own
opinions, regardless of the dictates of
the would-be "fxers" of public Of
fcers.
-. Who is it that does not want to see
the Southern Power company come in
to Newberry-or any other enterprise
as to that matter? Every man who
has the welfare of his community at
heart, of course. But gentlemen, we
stand here as the medium between
such huge corporations, fnanciers,
capitalists and their shrewd lawyers
and the great mass of people who
compose the vast ma >ority of any COM
munity, and who have no shrewd rep
resentative, but who expect on our part
vigilance and Caution in managing
such affairs as is now before us; and
therefore, we should see to it that il
this company comes into NeWberry
that it is properly and securely hedg-
ed with limitations that will protect
the small users of their furnishings
am not so much concerned about
the rich men, the capitalists and tn'
mills. I know they are good citizens
and capable Of taking care OF. them
selves-they have always done so and
will continue to do so. The mills
have, or will have, their contracts ir
advance, and will keep their steam
plants which they already have as
protection from oppression. 1t is tc
the citizenship, the masses of the peo-
pie to whom I feel that we owe oul
first consideration, our first duty
Then to outside capital and its bene
~feiacies.
Another matter, We as public OH
GERS, should look beyond the mere
fact that certain of our friends-goot
citizens true-urge US to vote theil
way on question of this kind, ant
see where their individual interest:
lie. See if their lobbying is done il
the capacity of citizens, or as stock
holders or officers IN some corpora
tions from which they expect to real
some benefit individually, without an.
thought as to what might be the re
suit or effect upon the whole citizen
ship.