Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 117, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 November 1909 — LIVELY DOINGS FOLLOW VOTE ON FRANCHISE [ARTICLE]

LIVELY DOINGS FOLLOW VOTE ON FRANCHISE

Gerber Acts as Obstructionist and Ires Friends of Proposed Road, and a Fracas Ensues.

NO ONE WAS HURT IN MIX-UP Promoter Accuses Councilman of Not Keeping His Word and Spectator Adds His Testimony In Support of Promoter.

“Bang.” The city council had a stormy special session Saturday night and the fact that Councilman Gerber is going around with a unblemished face is probably due to the intervention of spectators, one of which was Marshal Parks, .Gerber was made the target of a blow from A. J. Harmon, the real estate man, who accused Gerber of having violated his promise to support the proposed franchise for the Northwestern Indiana Traction Co., and when Gerber said that,fie had not promised to support it, Harmon reached out for Gerber with his right hand and iff"the mix-up that followed Gerber was pushed over on the floor. ■ The railroad franchise came up for passage at the special session Saturday night. The public knew that it was coming up and had had an opportunity to object, to any of the clauses of the franchise if it wanted to do so, but there was no objection filed, in fact, about every tax payer seemed very anxious that the franchise should be granted without material change. It was not a political matter, and democrats as well as republicans were heartily approving the franchise. The Jasper County Democrat expressed its doubt about the length of the franchise but the opposition did not seem to take very deep root with the public and there seemed no substantial reason' offered for the limited term, while it is certain that the floating of the railroad bonds must depend upon the terms of the franchises. The city was riot voting anything away; it was not granting an exclusive franchise, and the councilmen were asked to do what every citizen is anxiouß himself to do, encourage the movement for another railroad, t' Councilman Gerber, the democratic member of the board, showed a cloven hoof. He wanted the franchise term* for twenty-five years only. The other members favored the seventy-five

year term. Mr. Gerber had a perfect right to make this objection and also to oppose the franchise if he chose, but he did not seem able to offer any good reason for his objection and was apparently trying to act as an obstructionist. Some one said that he was trying to prove that he was a democrat, and that he thought every republican was willing, even glad, to concede that. Mr. Gerber is alleged to have said teat if the railroad did pot want to put up with the terms he would impose that it could go around Rensselaer instead of going through it. This did not look very progressive, and only one or two democrats seem to have thought Mr. Gerber’s position worthy of defense.

After Mr. Gerber had voted to amend the section giving the length of the franchise ae 75 years he voted against the granting of tee franchise, and George W. Goff, the local member Of the company that was asking the franchise, accused Gerber of having gone back on a promise to vote for it. He spoke feelingly .and indicated that he did not regard Mr. Gerber’s word very loftily. Mr. Gerber stated that he had not promised to support the franchise and A. J._Harmon, who was a spectator and who claims to have heard Gerber say that he would support the franchise, said “If that is a sample of democracy I don’t want any of it.” Gerber jumped to his feet and shaking his finger at Harmon as he advanced toward him, said “I will place my record against yours, Mr. Harmon.” Harmon said it was not a matter of records and that he was not assailing Gerber’s record further than to say that be had heard Gerber tell Goff that he would support the ffanchise. Gerber again said that he had not so promised and Harmon reached out for him. Walter Porter, Marshal Parks, W. F. Smith and others were close by and Marshal Parks rushed between the men. Gerber, in the meantime, had been pushed backward and fell over a chair. He rushed toward Harmon but Marshal Parks was swinging his club and calling out for peace. Mr. Gerber showed his hand against any kind of constructive legislation and in his four seasons political style looked at the franchise wholly from the standpoint of what the Jasper County Democrat wanted. He played

politics instead of representing his constituents; he followed his constant attitude of being “agin” whatever was up unless it was for the glory of the democratic party. While Mr. Goff may have been out of place in chastising Mr. Gerber in the council chamber, the style of Gerber’s objectiops were so. vexatious that it was difficult to observe them and not be vexed. And Mr. Harmon’s remark evidently sank so deeply into Gerber that he virtually made the first assault when he advanced threateningly toward Harmon. The whole thing is very deplorable, but it is very fortunate that no one was injured in the heated discussion and the fracas that followed. It will now require the favorable action of the council at two subsequent meetings to grant the franchise.

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WARNER BROS.