Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1911 — FRANCHISE ORDINANCE COMES UP MONDAY NIGHT. [ARTICLE]

FRANCHISE ORDINANCE COMES UP MONDAY NIGHT.

No Opposition Will Probably be Made To Passing It to the Third Read* ing Nor to Its Passage.

The ordinance which provides for the privilege of extending side tracks of the Monon railroad across Main and Franklin streets and over ground now occupied by the Monon railroad will come up on its second reading Monday night and from what The Republican is able to learn there will be no objection to advancing the measure nor to its ultimate passage.

The proceedings of the special session of the council held on the evening of Jan. 24th as shown in the records of the clerk Were that Councilman Catt and- Grow voted against a suspension of the rules and the placing of the ordinance on its passage. The record does not show that these councilmen- voted against advancing the ordinance to its second reading. Councilman Catt stated to The Republican editor this mofning that he has never opposed the track extension, but has been willing and anxioub at all times to do all in his power to secure for Rensselaer the new railway station. He voted against a suspension of the rules on conscientious grounds, stating that he is opposed to granting franchises until the people have an opportunity to speak and the members of the council to investigate. He stated that it has always been his intention to vote for the passage of the ordinance provided he considered the interests of the public safeguarded. This position was not out of the way in Councilman Catt and this statement from him will relieve him of considerable criticism from persons who had understood that his action meant opposition to the franchise. Councilman Grow was also interviewed by The Republican and he too expressed practically the same view. His vote was against a suspension of the rules, because he wanted- to con-

sider the view of his constituency, in whose ward the new depot was to be situated. He also disapproves the granting of franchises under a suspension of the rules and never intended opposing the measure if he found it all right. Councilman Grow stated to the writer that he has never expected any one to oppose the measure and assured us that he does not personally intend to do so. The fact that he may have some private interests near the present station and also that his employers are opposing the removal would not cause him to vote against the best interests of his ward and the city. This interview should set both these councilman - right before the public and it is quite probable that both of them will find many people who will approve their in demanding that the ordinance go through in the regular manner. The ordinance will not come up on its final passage until the second meeting of the month, which will be February 27th, when it will doubtless be passed without dissenting voice.