The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-10-13
MEETING OF COUNCIL.
Preparations for the Trial of Messrs. G.
n. Averill and p. C. Guerry Tonight.

Preparations for the Trial of Messrs. G,
n. Averill and p. c. Guerry Tonight.
There was an extra session Of Council held last
evening at which were present the Mayor, Alder
men Barrow, Cunningham, Collins, T. ]. MacSey,
Greene, Toigt, white; Brown, L. F. and 4. r.
Wall, Holloway, colored.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at a
quarter of s O'Clock.
Alderman Mackey, chairman - the select COM
mittee appointed to inyestiga lie administra-
tion and records of the Har5or Ster's depart
ment, reported that the records were we'll kept
and the duties OF the office faithfully discharged,
and recommended that the assistant he employed
at his own expense be paid by the city, as the
office of Harbormaster was not only self-sustain-
ing, but returned a net revenue to the city of
$1,000 per annum. In conclusion, the committee
submitted resolution providing that the Harbor-
master be empowered to employ an assistant at a
salary Of $1,000 per annum.
The report, on motion OF Alderman Greene, was
accepted, and, on motion Of Alderman Wall, the
resolution was adopted.
Alderman Mackey stated that the object of the
ceedngs of Council in the trial of Messrs. Ayerill
and Guerry which would commence tonight.
He then submitted some rules, which the clerk
commenced to read.
Alderman Mackey interrupted the reading to
move that committee Of three be appointed to
report rules and regulations for the impending
trial, saying: We have all, Mr. Mayor, enjoyed
the privilege of being tried ourselves, but we
have never had the pleasure OF trying Democrats
before, antt as 1t is such novel thing with us, we
had better proceed with all the formalities.
The motion was carried and the Mayor en-
nouneed as the committee, Aldermen Mackey
Voist and. L. F. Wall.
Alderman Mackey moved that Council take
recess OF five minutes, in order to give the COM
mittee time to prepare report.
The motion was carried, and the committee re-
tired to the Mayors office.
While the committee was out the Aldermen,
who were lounging about the Council chamber,
were individually invited to .takeSa sherry cob
bier: each one accepted and retired to the Mayors
ofice.
After an absence Of about five minutes, the
committee returned to the Council Chamber and
Council was called to order.
The committe then reported the following:
RULES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PROCEED
ISGs ON THE TRIAL OF CITY OFFICERS BY THE
CITY COUNCIL OF CHARLESTON.
/. The charges and specifications shall be read
to the accusedt and he shall be required to answer
guilty or not guilty.
2. The accused sIlall be permitted to defend
himself in persons Orby his counsel, or both, but
not more than two, counsel shall he allowed to
speak, and eaeh asglmeHt on the final question
shall be limited tp one hour. And two members
OF Council shall be appointed by the Mayor as
managers to aid him In conducting the eXamlna-
tion on behalfof the city.
8. No Alderman shall be permitted to speak
more than once during the trial, and then only
for five minutes, unless In explanation OF some
matter for the information OF Council
. f. Whenever question arises that may require
discussion by Council, the Council shall retire for
deliberation upon the request OF any three men,
berS.
S. All questions to witnesses that may be asked on
behalf OF the city shall be put by the chairman or
managers, and any Alderman who may desire to
ask q question shall commit the same to writing,
and hand 1t to the chairman, who shall PROFOUND
the same.
8. The trial shall close whenever the majority OF
the Council so determine, upon motion made;
and the final question shall be put by the chair.
man in the following form: "Are the members OF
Council satisfied that the causes shown seem sur
fcient to warrant them In deciding that the ac-
cused shan be removed from ofices And shall he
be removed from officeS
I. The vote on the fnal question shall be taken
by yeas and nays, and nine votes snail be neces-
sary to convict the accused.
8. The Council shall retire to make up their yer.
dict but their decision, when arrived at shall be
announced by the chairman In open Council.
Alderman Noigt moved the adoption OF the
rules. Carried.
Alderman Mackey asked II Messrs. Guerry and
Averill had been notified to appear for trial on
Wednesday evening, at I O'Clock, whereupon
the Clerk read copy Of the summonses to the ac-
cused officers, which he stated he had sent on
Monday.
Alderman Mackey presented bill to regulate
the inspection and storage OF innammable oils,
and to provide for an inspector OF the same, and
asked for Its first reading. Which was granted.
Alderman E. P. WALL colored, sarcastically.
Did the Alderman include among his infiammable
oils the infiammabe gases alsos
Alderman Mackey. I would have included
them, but the gentleman had not spoken then.
Alderman Mackey moved that the bill be read
the second time by Its title.
Alderman Wall, colored, said that the title OF
the bill was not full enough as it did not include
gases, especially now as Council had
become considerable OF gasometer.
Alderman Mackey said that as there seemed to
be considerable veXation about the bill, he would
move its immediate passage, as 1t twould undoubt-
edly be pouring oil upon the troubled waters.
After some discussion the motion for the second
reading was rejected, and the bill was ordered TO
be printed.
Alderman L. F. Wall moved that the Council adj
journ.
The motion was carried, and Council adjourned
until P. NJ. to-day.
An INTERESTING PAPER.-Few papers published
in this or any other country can compare in eX-
cellence and interest with the New York Weekly.
Tho snrinl storias nnhlished In its colnmns are