The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-01-25
taken hastily on the bill, would suggest that Il
Clerk read the bill very slow. [Laughter.

The bill was then read by sections
Mr.. MACE moved to amend the 2nd section by
striking out 81 800, and inserting 81 900, the
salary of the Commissioners. He thought that
when the force fully organized, it would not be
necessary for the Board to meet oftener than once
a week.
Mr.. TALBOT said that if he thought that the
Commissioners would not meet but week,
the bill could not have his support. He did not in
tend that the position should be snecure but one
of labor. He acknowledged the necessity for re-
form, and he expected the Board to carry it out
without distinction of party, and uninfuenced by
party. He expected that they would find plenty to
do, as reform absolutely necessary. lie was in
earnest in this matter.
Mr.. BLACKBURN said that he glad to hear his
friend from the 9th ward Mr.. Talbott) acknowl-
edge the necessity for reform.
Mr. TALBoTT.-Most certainly do.
Mr.. BLACKBURN said that, as far as he con-
cerned, he could not assist either in amendment
or alteration of the BILL passed in the manner in
which it was being hurried through.
Mr. SGMMs offered a substitute for the motion of
Mr.. Mace, to insert 81 200, which was adopted.
Mr. LINTON moved that the Branch adjourn, but
withdrew the motion at the request of Mr.. Sped
den.
The bill was then passed by the following vote
Yeas-Messrs Irons, Calls Chapman, Mace.
Talbot, Pollock, A. NJ. Price, Simms, Spedden and
Bain-l0.
Nays-Messrs. Roberts, Penn, Baugher, Black
burn, r. Price, Linton and Norris.
Mr.. SPEDDEN called up the preamble and resolu-
tions demonstrating against the passage by the
Legislature of the bills in reference to the city of
Baltimore.
Mr.. SPEDDEN moved to strike out the resolution
calling for town-meeting.
Mr.. BLACKBURN asked why that resolution was to
be stricken out. Was the gentleman afraid of an
invasion?
Mr.. SPEDDEN-"Oh no! We Just want it OUT
The resolution was stricken out.
Mr.. SPEDDEN offered substitute, that instead of
publishing the preamble and resolutions in all the
nd Nv tha
city papers.
Mr.. BLAcKBURN.-Why not give the citizens of
the county an opportunity to read them.
Mr.. SPEDDEN.-Let them take the city papers.
The substitute adopted and the resolutions
passed by the following vote
Yeas-Messrs. Irons, Calls, Chapman, Mace,
Talbot, Pollock, A. NJ Price, Simms, Spedden
and Ban-10.
burn, R. Price, Linton and Norris-7.
Adjourned.
SECOND BRANCH--Branch met pursuant to ad
journment. Present, David Taylor, ESQ., Pres-
dent pro tem., and all the members
Mr.. Cotton offered resolution, authorizing the
Clerk to withdraw from the files of the Branch
the petition of Robert jackson and others, in rea
tion to the removal of the railroad track on Cen
trail Avenue, north of Monument street. Adopted.
Mr.. McCoMAs offered resolution to place gas
lamp on Hollins street, between Carey and Calhoun
streets. Read second time and adopted.
The Branch then took recess for thirty minutes
An ordinance to re-orgauize the Police Force of
the City of Baltimore, &C., received from the
First Branch.
The Clerk commenced to read the same when Mr.
MUssELMAN moved that much be considered
the first reading, which motion was carried Mr..
Cotton voting nav.
Mr.. CATHCART then moved a suspension of the
rules to give the ordinance a second reading.
Mr.. COTTON opposed the motion. He was not
so much opposed to the features of the bi but he
was not prepared to vote upon it, he hadhad no op-
portunty to examine the bill, that he could vote
understandingly on the subject. He also had great
doubts about the power of the City Council to pass
such bill This bill proposes to entirely re-organize
the Police Force, and to appoint Commissioners of
Police by the Mayor and City Council. Mr.. Cotton
contended that the Council had right to pass the
bill, and referred to the year 1856, when it was
proposed to increase the police force and them,
an application was made to the Legislature to
grant that power. If this Council had not power
to increase the police force they had not the power
re-organize it. They have not the power to ap-
point Commissioners of Police without receiving
authority from the Legislature.
Mr.. CoLToN asked that the bill lay over for one
day; there never was an occasion in the history of
the city where so much hasty legislation was
shown. On Friday last, resolution intro
duced in the other Branch enquirng into the
pediency of re-organizing the Police of the city.
On Monday the committee met, without calling to
the meeting the minority members; they make
report, which is read and ordered to be printed.
The bill is printed to-day and passed to second
reading and then comes to this Branch this was
unusual, and uncourteous to the minority. Mr.. Col
ton doubted whether any of the members had read
the bill.
Mr.. SEwALL.-Speak for yourself
Mr.. COTTON continued. Yes, / will speak for
myself then, and ask act of courtesy that the
bill lay over, to give me an opportunity to examine
it. | do not ask week, but day, and hope the
Branch will lay the bill over and make it the special
order for tomorrow.
The question was taken on Mr.. Cathcart's mo-
ton to suspend the rules, which carried, Mr..
Cotton voting nay.
The Clerk then proceeded to read the bill a
second time.
Mr.. COTTON moved to amend the first section, by
providing that two Commissioners shall be selected
from that portion of the city east of Calvert street.
and two west of Calvert street.
The motion lost, Mr.. Cotton alone voting
aye.
After the bill was read the second time
Mr.. Cotton arose and said that he entered his
solemn protest against the passage of the bill at
this time he did not believe that the Council had
the authority to pass the law they had transcended
their authority, and the Legislature in their wis
dom, would shortly make that apparent. AS to
the bill before the Legislature, he said it was utter
y necessary to pass it, in all large cities it had be-
come apparent that Metropolitan Police Force
was the best which could be established
The bill before the Council had many good
features in it, it was the best bill of the kind ever
offered to the city; but why such haste in getting it
through? How it that only a few days ago it
was discovered that the Police Department of Bal
timore, which was held up as model police,
wanted reorganization Why was it necessary to
change it at ALL at once? 1t could be for no other
object than to forestal and obstruct the legislation
of the Assembly at Annapolis He then moved to
lay the bill upon the table.
The motion was not seconded.
Mr.. SEwALL then moved the previous question:
and the ordinance passed by the following
vote:
Yeas-Messrs. Van Nostrand, Cathcart Cook
Taylor, Ellicott, Musseman, McComas, Sewal-s.
Nay-Mr. Colton--1.
The preamble and resolutions in regard to the
Police and other bills relative to the City of Bal
timore, now before the Legislature, published in
the Exchange yesterday,) were received from the
First Branch and read
Mr.. Cook moved to suspend the rules to give the
resolutions second reading, which motion was
carried, Mr.. Cotton votng-nay.
The resolutions were then read a second time and
passed by the following vote:
Yeas-n1essrs. Van Nostrand, Cathcart Cook,
Taylor, Ellicott, Musselman, McComas and Sewal
Nay-Mr. Cotton.
The Branch at o'clock adjourned until to-mor-
afternoon at o'clock.