The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-03-18
CITY COUNCIL.
tcoxcLrsroS OF WEDNESDAY vrour's rRocrrDrSo

LcoNcLrsIoN or WEDNESDAY NroHT's rRocEEpINesl
Mr.. Eggleston moved the following preamble
to the resolution-proposing to strike out from
the resolution all from the word "resolved,"
and adopt as under:
WHEREAS, The General Assembly have en-
acted law by which the control and appoint
mcnt of the police are, without cause, and
against the remonstrances of the City Council
and the wishes of the people, taken from the
Mayor, who was elected for that purpose, and
given to officers whose time of service is just
about to expire, and who do not represent the
public sentiment on this subject
And WHEREAS, In the passage of said act the
| General Assembly refused to adopt provisions
offered by way of amendment, authorizing the
| people themselves to select the Commissioners
OF Police, and also refused to postpone the ap-
pOintment Of Commissioners, so that the Off
GERS to be chosen at the ensuing Spring election
might make the appointments, and have so ar
ranged the details of said law that the Com
missiOners are to be selected one week before
the said election, and are to appoint the police
| two days after the election, and refused to
adopt an amendment forbidding the police,
while on duty, from electioneering, thus rem
dering the conduct and votes Of partisans at
the election an element in the choice Of police
men:
And WHEREAS, Said law deprives tho City
Council of its past control over the number and
the pay Of watchmen, which will result in
greatly increased taxation:
And WHEREAS, Said law took effect from and
after its passage, and has, if valid, already
abolished the Office of Marshal, and 1t is, there
fore, doubtful whether any of the persons in
tho City Prison are now lawfully in custody,
and whether they may not at once obtain their
release by hdJeds corpus:
And WHEREAS, Said law is not only dero-
cation of the rights of self-government by
rights vested in the people of Cincinnati, and
in violation Of the plainest principles Of popu-
lar sovereignty, but is also believed to be in
direct conflict with the Constitution of Ohio
therefore,
Resolred, That the City Solicitor be directed
to take such steps as may seem proper to test
before the Courts the constitutionality of said
law, and to enjoin the exercise Of power, the
levying of taxes, and expenditure of money
} under the same and
. Resolved further, That the Law Committee
be instructed to inquire forthwith and report
4 whether any legislation is necessary by The
City Council to prevent the escape of prisoner
Q from the City Prison, in consequence of the at
Q tempted abolition of the Office Of City Marshal
s Mr.. Hurst rose to propose counter-resolu'
= ton, but the Chair ruled him out of order.
? Mr.. Hurst replied to the Chair with consider
t able feeling, expressing his determination tc
j, have his rights acknowledged as we'll as thos'
,, of the Chair.
), Another amendment was then presented, re
r Heeting upon the Council in the matter of tn
= augmentation of the police, and the oonsequen
Q increase Of taxaton-its object being to thwar
n the passage of the original motion.
: The vote on this amendment to the amend
: ment showed 80 against, and but for it. Los
y The amendment was next brought up, an
y much discussion ensued. At length membs
moved the previous question-on the groun
J. that there had been great deal of foolish tai
h there that night-which, being seconded, WI
Of put to the vote and lost-14 voting for and
le against it.
er sThe discussion was then resumed, and col
le tinued, with more or less warmth, for oonsit
p erable time-Democracy and Republicans
It. being the real subjects of debate.
of Mr.. Bodley complained that the hour of az
Oe journment had nearly arrived, and yet nothir
o. which could be called the business Of Il
people had been attended to. He denied tn
n, there was any tangible point in the Police b
le which the Solicitor could lay hold of; but Il
ed nature of the resolution was plain, it was +
o. political purposes-it was for buncombe.
Cries Of "Question, question" Discussion +
ny sumed.
hit Mr.. Toohey regretted that the Council-roo
as was, that night, turned into q mere stumpin
ng ground; and he believed that if the 200, 900 i
a. habitants of the city could witness those pr
ey ceedings, they would be slow to express a
tn proval of their representatives. He thought
We unnecessary to send the Solicitor to Columbl
and he was opposed to both resolution n
amendment. In the course of bis remarks,
til made an incidental allusion to the Germ
people, which drew from Mr.. Hassaurek
warm and indignant rejoinder. The amen
ment was then put to the vote and carried
IPT for; 10 against. The resolution, as amend'
rod was next voted on and carried-20 for and
:, against
IN A motion for "recess," till Friday evenil
S. at half-past seven, was moved and carri
to Council then broke up.