The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-05-05
MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL.
A Royal Row Among the Aldermen


The iirst regular meeting Of the new Coun
Gil took place last evening, at eight O'Clock, in
the City Hall.
Before the members had assembled, the
Cham Der began to bo filled with a motley
crowd of persons, who ranged themselves on
the sofas, chairs, windows and available sitting
places.
NJ 'yor PiIlsbury took his seat, when the fol
lowing Aldermen were found to be present:
Geddings, Potter, Collins. Cunningham, Bar
row, E. ". NJ. Msckey. T. J. Mackey, Greene,
E. p. Wall, (colored,) L. F. Wall, (colored,)
Small, (colored,) Brown, (colored,) Hampton,
colored,) McKinlay, (colored,) Howard, (col-
ored,) Holloway. (colored) and Thorn, (col-
ored.)
The Mayor requested that the Aldermen who
had not already qualified would rise in their
seats and take the oath.
Aldermen Geddings, and McKinlay (colored)
rose. As the Mayor was about to administer
the oath to the former. Alderman T. J. Mackey
objected to the oath being administered to that
Alderman, Geddlpgs. He said that he found
that MIR. Geddings had recorded himself, when
sitting in the Acting Board, as not having been
legally elected, and yet he claimed his place as
Alderman OF Ward q. He (Alderman Mackey)
moved that his case be referred to the Com
nittee on Elections.
Alderman E. P. Wall (colored) said that
such sction was a very strange proceeding.
NJ 81 o1o taA 6xyf "a
citizens. MIR. Geddings was duly elected to
the Council, and it was very strange that any
objection should be made to him. He hoped
Council would not detiate from law and pro-
priety, and tha: the discussion on the matter
would be stopped, and that it would not be en-
tertained by Council.
Alderman Collins said he had borne note
from the Mayor requesting Mr.. Geddings to be
present, and he was convinced that th at gen.
tlemen could answer for himself why he was
there.
Alderman Wall, colored, said he was not able
to debate with the learned engineer and law
yer (T. J. Mackey.) but there were some COM
mon s,nse things he did understand. Mr..
Geddings had double right to be pre1ent, as
he had been elected by twice as many votes as
any Alderman present. Further, the courts
had determined that he had right TO be
there, and he was willing 10 submit to laH, and
the learned Alderman had no right to contest
the matter. III
Alderman n. J. Mackey asked ii Alderman
Geddings had not declared on oath that he was
not elected, ,-, - .-.
Alderman Greene regretted that any such dis
cussion had arisen, and thought that his friend
from Ward 7lad not understood the question
propounded. The question had been asked,
and the gentleman OF whom it had been asked
codld answer il, he was certain. = - 4
Alderman T. J. Mackey repeated, "By what
authority ia the Alderman here2"
Alderman Wall said he was not mistake n,
but Alderman Greene was.
+, Alderman Barrow thought Mr.. Geddings'
eligibility matter for his conscience. II he
was willing to sit, he Barrow was willing to
Welcome him. II be can sit in the face Of his
past t'conduct he has right to do so. Mr.. Ged-
dinys had been elected oy the Democrats as
well as the Republicans.
At this stage. Alderman T. J. Mackey with.
drow his ODJecCrJ1, Us US 0rJeot had Dccn fui
filed.
Alderman Geddings, on rising 10 take the
oath, said that he scorned TO answer the in
terrogatory, and hoped that Alderman Mackey,
In making assertions, would state the. truth.
BE (Geddings) had not qualified as Alderman
Of Ward No. q.
Alderman T. j. Mackey said that if the Al
derman put in that plea, he was welcome to
the deduction he might draw from it. IAlder-
man Gedi;nss is from Ward IL
The Mayor then administered the oath.
The Clerk Of Council stated the practice of
the Council and rules Of that body.
The Mayor said that he had not had time to
arrange the different committees.
Alderman T. j. Mackey offered the following
resolution, which was carried:
Resoloed, That the City Treasurer be, and is
hereby, requested to furnish this Council, at
the next regular meeting, with o lmmary
statement OF the indebtedness Of the city; set
ting forth the amount Of its funded debt, aud
the respective pariods at which the interest on
the same will fall due /; also . statement Of the
assets Of the city, whether in bonds, stocks,
all officers and agents in the employ OF the
city, together with the amounts OF their seve-
raj salaries per annum.
The Clerk announced the reading Of the min
utes OF the old Board in order.
Alderman Green moved that the reading be
disper sed with.
This was objected to by Alderman Barrow,
who took the ground that the reading was
necessary to getting at a knowledge OF the
duties before them.. He was sustained by Al
derman Wall, and o motion TO read made by
Aldermen Potter.
Alderman Green then withdrew his motion,
and the minutes were read by the Clerk.
Alderman T. j. Maokoy objected to confirm
ing the minutes of the old Board, which he
characterized as "an infamous and corrupt
body"
Alderman Wall (colored) replied that the
minutes we're only records Of fact; only an
evidence OF the correctness Of the Clerk. :,
[Here he was interrupted by Alderman T. J.
Mackey, who taunted him with being Demo-
crat.]
Alderman Wall continued speaking forcibly
and earestly in defence OF the old Board, (Al-
derman Potter, aside, Amen y and hoped that
the minutes would be confirmed.
Alderman T. J. Mackey, in response to AL
darr,on Woli aoid that ;onorooou ond ;noo