Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 November 1909 — BULLDOZING TACTICS USED [ARTICLE]

BULLDOZING TACTICS USED

By Railroad Promoters to Force Franchise Through FOR SEVENTY-FIVE YEAR TERM Action of Councilman Gerber In Opposing So Long a Period Brought Forth Insults and Threats of Bodily Harm From Bucket Shop Pur» telle's Henchmen—Efforts Fttiled, However, and Ordinance Must Take Its Regular Course.

The adjourned meeting of the city council Saturday night to further consider the franchise asked for by Eugene Purtelle, et al, under the name of the Indiana Northwestern Traction Co., was the scene of tactics on the part of the promotors and their friends that were the most disgraceful ever before seen in Rensselaer. At the regular meeting the Monday night previous, Councilman Ger-fjer-Tj-the only democratic member of the board and to whom the people of Rensselaer owe much for his stalwart stand at all times for their interests as against the schemes of private corporations and grafters—stated that he would not vote for the proposed franchise at that time, but would favor an adjourned meeting for Saturday evening, when, after the citizens had notice of the proposed franchise and had been given an opportunity to know something of its provisions, if there were no serious objections he would* vote for a suspenson of the rules and the passage of the proposed franchise. (The writer was present at this regular meeting, watched the proceedings carefully, and knows precisely what was said and what was not said at that meeting, regardless of any statements that emanates from Dr. Washburn’s paper down the street, none of the owners or editors of whom were present.) At this regular meeting, it will be remembered, Eugene Purtelle, of Chicago, a young man of perhaps 25 or 30 years, and who seems to be the main push behind this latest railroad scheme, was very persistent in trying to have the franchise granted, notwithstanding the fact that three members of the council refused to vote for it at that time because they had never heard of It before and thought the public should be given a chance to know somethlUg about it ere its rights

were voted away for a period of 75 years. Councilman Irwin even went so far as to say, in addressing Purtelle: "Young man, you are too anxious; it looks suspicious to me.” Councilman Meyers said: “We are put here as servants of the people, and I do not think there is any necessity for rushing this thing through without their knowledge or consent. It is bad precedent; the citizens of Rensselaer are in their beds, asleep, and know nothing of what is proposed to be done here. (It was then nearly 11 o’clock at night.) I will not vote for the passage of this franchise without first letting the public know something about it.” Both the above councilmen are republicans. Councilman Spitler became most insulting to Mr. Meyers and made remarks that he ought to be ashamed of. Mr. Spitler admitted that he had drawn up the ordinance granting the franchise and had also drawn up the one passed at Monticello, thus virtually admitting that he was acting in the daul capacity as attorney for the company first and watchng out for the interests of the citizens of Rensselaer as a second consideration. What a spectacle! He was insistent that the rules be suspended and the ordinance passed that night, but it wouldn’t work, and Mr. Gerber's suggestion of an adjourned meeting was finally adopted. In the meantime, we suppose Mr. Gerber had discussed the franchise matter with his constituency and found that there was much opposition to the time period asked for, 73 years, and when the councl met Saturday evening he objected to its passage in that form, favoring a shorter period, or 25 years. Then Mr. Goff, who is the local manager of Purtelle’s Rensselaer “bucketshop” and also a director in the imposed road, charged Mr. Gerber with having said he would vote for the

measure if an adjourned meeting was held—without qualifying his statement in that regard at all. A. J. Harmon, who was present at the meeting, butted in and backed up Goff’s charge, and, two of the republican members of the council tell us—w T e were not present at this meeting—said, with a sneer, “This is a sample of the democrats you ask republicans to vote for next Tuesday.” Mr. Gerber resented the imputations cast upon him,, and walking over toward Harmon, said, “I am willing to place my reputation against yours at any time, Mr. Harmon.” The latter says Mr- Gerber called him a liar, but this the other members of the council are unanimous In spying they did not hear, if said, and Mr. Gerber also denies it. He is not a man in' the habit of calling others liars even should he think so. Harmon jumped up and caught hold of Mr. Gerber, and but for the interference of bystanders would have struck him. The affair finally quieted down and the franchise matter was passed to second reading, Mr. Gerber, as was his right and duty, we believe, voting against a suspension of the rules for its immediate passage, because of the 75 year feature, and it must go through the regular routine of three meetings before its adoption. The disgraceful action of Mr. Harmon caused much comment on the street Sunday and Monday, and was condemned by both friends and foes of the proposed franchise —we say foes, meaning those opposed to the tieing up of the city streets for so long a period as 75 years, as there are no other serious objections to the franchise. Mr. Harmon has no financial interests in Jasper county or Rensselaer whatever, not owning a foot of real estate here. He had no business whatever to attempt to dictate legislation to any member of the council, and he now regrets that he allowed hie seal for Purtelle, et al., to cause him to make such a spectacle of himself. He denies making the insulting remark about the democrats accred-

ited to him by two of the republican members of the council with whom we talked, one of whom also said he cussed until the air was blue. And to his credit, be it said, that we have never known him to insult men before who differed with him politically. He was reared a democrat, but perhaps for policy sake has become a republican. He has a perfect right to his political views the same as those who differ with him, and this matter was not a poltical matter at all. Many citizens, both democrats and republicans, object to the granting of franchises that even their children’s children may not live to see expire. Mr. Gerber coula only show where he stood on. the question by his vote, and he had a perfect right to exercise the privilege to vote against the franchise because of this feature, or any other, without such intereference from outsiders. In our opinion—and we want to say right here in reply to the dirty insinuations of the Dr. Washburn, et al. sheet, that the editor of The Democrat did not see Councilman Gerber at any time between, the regular and the adjourned meeting nor talk to him one word in regard to this franchise —Mr. Gerber did precisely right in this matter. The democrats of Rensselaer, and many republicans, ■stand behind him in his action, and would that we had more Gerbers on the council and fewer others who are ready at any time to do the bidding of the corporations seeking special priveliges from the city. The charge of Dr*. Washburn’s paper that Gerber is an obstructionist is correct. He obstructed that proposed telephone franchise which would have made the citizens of Rensselaer pay from 60 to 100 per cent more for their telephones when it was attempted to be rushed through without the people being given a hearing, and in which two of the owners of the Republican are admitted stockholders. He has also obstructed other measures that were against the interests of the people at various times, although the only democralc member on the council. His vote has always been in the interests of the citizens as a whole and against special priveliges to the few who fatten off the earnings of the taxpayers. The term “obstructionist” as used by the Republican, in view of the services rendered the people of Rensselaer during the term he has been a member of the Common Council, is an honor to any man.