Show THE RIGHT OF PETITION SOME of the arbitrary positions taken by the city council are contemptuous and tyrannical these tendencies are exhibited to a greater or less extent at nearly every session of that body in I n some instances the right to petition is practically extinguished the right to set forth reasons and grievances is recognized by every civilized government and is guaranteed by the constitution in this republic it ought not to be abridged with impunity this thiis disagreeable feature of the present administration of the city government cropped out no longer ago than tuesday june As an an instance a protest was introduced signed by between sixty and seventy r n lents abou arou around nd the locality where the fifth ward meetinghouse meeting house is sitt situated the document was in opposition to the rap ii d transit company being permitted to construct a switch in front of and in close proximity to the building named the protest was never read in the council but like rejected manuscript in a newspaper office it was fl filed it 1 I without rending reading a motion to that effect prevailing without a dissentient A protest against the extension of water mains was similarly treated no matter what may be the subject of a petition or the attitude assumed by the petitioners petition ers the latter are in a civilized government entitled to a hearing this has been to all intents and purposes in a number of instances denied by the present city council and such an exhibition of contempt for popular rights is we contend tyrannical this summary aad undemocratic manner of doing public business should cease if not those who are thus thua insultingly treated ought to insist on being beard such stich a course as that complained or of exhibits plainly that the council on some subjects are unwilling to listen to any additional reasons that may exist concerning them the cavalier treatment of popular ex pres re ferre 1 I to is not excusable on the ground that the matter involved had previously been referred to a committee which had already prepared a report upon it for aught the council or committee may have known the document may have given good ground for a reconsideration or of the report anle unless sound reason is not dot to be the basis of the transactions of if those entrusted with the performance of the public business of this community the council should act in the capacity of servants and no not t in that of masters or lords of the people they should be careful to preserve and not dot invade and destroy the right of petition |