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Show BBBBI j : HHH 1 JUST A WORD. ' BHBBf' 'i Just n word to the good gentlemen fiff who havo submitted a signed state- flBB I' meut as to "their position on tho rail- HHHBJ ' road question." In tho first placo we HVABJ have nbsoluto contldenco In tho lntog- BBBBi rlty of all the good cltzens and tax BBBB payers In tho controversy. It Is be BBB cnuso of this confidence, and becauso BBB they aro gentlemen of standing and HHHBf j ability, that we desire a word with BBH them. In tho first placo wo ngreo B with them that there has been mora BBB or less agitation on this matter for BBS i tho past two years. Wo also agree JPBB il that the people generally aro oc- BBs J I qualnted with iho efforts of Mr. M. J. BBl I i Gollghtly, also that all aro agreed flB 1 that ho Is "admirably endowed with BBBBT I every requisite necessary to rail BBBJ I road building except the capital." BBB I Alt aro not ngrced, however, that flB, ? , the Gollghtly franchise "was pushed BBBBI ji ft nslde to make room for another baeV H ' V ltfBk cd by Mr Eccles and his locnl follow ers In Logan." In fact It Is n mntter of record that the Gollghtly frauchlue wns granted, and that when It became be-came evident that Mr. Gollghtly could not hold even the men that were with him as parties to the franchise, oven under such conditions ho wns given an extension of time. When tho extension ex-tension of time elapsed tho commls sIctiurH became tired of this apparent war with wind mills nnd cleared tho boards. Tho way being open the L. K. T. company applied for u franchise and submitted a draft. A date was aet for Its consideration. The commissioners commis-sioners very plainly stated thnt thoy could not grant tho franchlso requested request-ed and submitted n counter proposition proposi-tion that they would grant. Tho I.. II. T. people withdrew nnd consulted for a few moments and then returned and very courteously thanked the commissioners for tho consideration given, nBked for the return of tbolr franchise, and further said they would not enter Into competition for a franchise. Here then the way was made clear and open for Mr. Gollghtly. Go-llghtly. and if ho had been blocked Just n few days before when ho 'was just in tho act of closing up definite nnd fnvorable negotiations with his eastern connections.' why did he not get busy with his eastern connection? when the commissioners told htm the way waB clear, and nil that vns necessary ne-cessary was to put up or shut up? Hero tho statement of our friends 's n llttlo inconsistent we think, but perhaps per-haps not Intentionally'. Again wo take Issue with our frloudB relative to tho nctlon of tho commissioners, nnd do not think Uil.n can point to one act wherein it Is evident that the Commissioners have plajcd double as our friends Intimate. Inti-mate. On tho other hand the commissioner commis-sioner have a'lWnjs maintained th." tl.ey would grant n franchlso to nny ono that would specify what ho woulJ do, and whero ho would do It, und put up n bond for faithful perform ance. Wo are with the commissioners commission-ers In this mntter gentlemen, nnd shall uphold their honor nnd Integrltv notwithstanding tho Imputations In your signed statement. Unless you can bring forth moro ovidence than that which your statement carries ..on cutnlnly nro In the role of grossly misrepresenting theao men who huve acted wisely and well. Now as to tho npparent difference. In our opinion It Is n difference that Is not a difference. Ono promises to build seven miles only, and If the venture pays ever) body knows thut further extensions will quickly bo made. Tho other promises to build seven miles, and five miles thereafter. Now then thnt five miles thereafter does not mean anything unless tho venture pays, for no eastern syndicate Is going to invest moro money if they find what they havo already Invested does not pay. Our own good citizens would not do It, oven It they had to forfeit $100,000, In which to save $300,000. Again an unsuccessful venture ven-ture would bo a knock to tho county, coun-ty, and no ono would feel like forcing tho contract, so there you are. Tho cntiro proposition Is based on the success of tho venture, and success Is what wo want In tho county. And If unsuccessful wo do not want It for it Is not for the good of tho people. So thnt our friends stand ns to tho inconsistency in-consistency of grunting a frnnchlse for n Hinted number of miles Is not wc'l taken. |