Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-04-18
mary Morris ana her little House.

THE ORDINANCE FOa HER REITF AGAIN DISCUS
sRD BY CoUEtiL-A PRoTRAcrED SESSION
AND ANoTH Eil Po-TPoN NEMENT
When Mrs Mary Morris an unsssuming col
ored woman, and owner OF frame dwelling on
French street. above Eleventh, attempted 10
erect frame addition to her donnie lie, she little
dreamed what her act would lead to, or what n
storm Of contention il would arouse in the de-
liberaiions of or- usually calm nd sedats "Cny !
| Fathers" |
The erection Of this addition was contrary to |
! City Ordinance, and so the work was stopped |
but as Mary seemed to be a deserving woman, !
an Ordinance for her relief, allowing her to pro- !
ceed with the work was inir reduced into Council
and read twice.
| When tn. Ordinance came up, for is third
reading, Mr. Lynch of the ren,h Ward, moved
10 amend by Inserting provision for the relief
OF Geo W. Rowell, twhi,e) who h ID commenced
the erection of a frame house at Third aud Rod
ney streets, upon whica work had been stop
ped
But this action opposed by the friends of
Mary Morris. They asserted that Mary had
transgresscd the law unwiilinsly and uBinten-
tionaily, while Rowel had commenced his house
with IL fult know ledge of the Ordinance, and in
detiauc. OF the law. They were thus inclined 10
deny the white man the privilege they wished
TO extend to the black woman. koweirs friends
ON the other hand assert that his violation of the
Ordinance was unlntentiunaily rs tue wo'
mans.
A, the City Council, last evening, the 0rd-
nance came up for Ihiid read'Hg. and tfe h'st
section was read
d Mr.. Lyuch presented q substitute, which also
, granted Kowell the privilege OF finishing his
house.
Mr.. VIM. NJ. Candy opposed the substitute and
Mr. Pickles favored it.
Mr.. Baker moved to amend by striking out
Rowelps name.
4 Mr.. Pickles rloved to lay The motion on the
table. Adopted, by vote Of IL to 6.
Mr.. Baker moved TO refer the whole snt ieci
l. to the Committee on Public Buildings, for inves
+ tigation.
Mr.. McTniire moved To lay this motion on ths
. table
a Mr.. Baker called the rrevi5Es question.
The main question wasordered 10 be put by
l. vote of ii 8. ''''
D. Mr.. Baker move, Ito pest ponie nutil July 4th
u 1876, which motion Mr-P'cHe's novel 10 lay OF
j. the table. n =
q The latter metioIi was a!ddpte1 by vote Of !
% Ito 3. ,....e So.
Mr.. Eaker moved to ref,r .hs matter 10 IN
In City Solicitor. Last, by yeas 4 and nays l5.
v, Mr. Baker inquired If the Council was com
petent to pass law retroactive in is ettec
ce and whether it would not be of the nature G
va an er post fact. law.
N The chair replied that Council was compa
RI tent so to do
at Mr. Baker offered an amendment rclev!u
rs all other parties who are liable TO fine ft
e- the erection of frame buildings.
NJ The chair ruled this out OF order, because
te effect it virtually repealed theOTdinance pr
rs hiblting the erection of frame buildings.
Nv Mr.. Baker appealed but the decision Of II
he chair was sustained. o.,
10 Mr.. Baker then raised the point of ord
nd that if a general amendment Is not in orde
bS neither Is specific one.
The chair decided the point not well ia
- en-.
y MIR. Baker again appealed, hut the decisiC
~ ~ of the chair was sustained,
'n Mr.. Lynch's amendment and the section
Eamended were then adopted.
40 Mr.. Baker moved 10 indefinitely postpOu
- Fbut the motion was tabled,
nd The enacting clause was read and Mr.. Pic
L. els moved its adoption.
rtb Mr.. Febiger moyed to refer to the Board
Health. Lost.
200 The enacting clause was then adopted T
he preamble was then read and Mr.. PickI
ior moved to amend by inserting the proyisi
md for Mr.. Rowell'S relief
ich Mr.. Bakrr moved to amend by allowing
,r a persons who may so desire to erect frai
ted dwellings. Tabled.
Shel Mr. Baker moved to strike ont Tat port
the OF the preamble referring to Mr. Roweh. r.
,ad- led.
o is The preamble after .some-more diistory Il
tOn5, was adopted.
The title, an Ordinance for the relief
Mary Ann Morris, . was read.
Mr., Pckels moved to amend by inserli
FOR the name of Geo, ". ROwetl.
Mr.. Baker moved to amend by insert
, ar "and all who may have bniit fraWe h0us
atIa contrary TO Ordinance in the past
Nc MIR, Mclntire raised the point of order t
TO- it would make the tHal conflict with
H. Ordinance.
.,, The point was declared WEI taken.
,mi The title was. amended and adopted
,ra amended,
NJ Mr.. Adams who had voted all along "
Iar. with the friends of EOwell then stated that
30, could not vote for the Ordinance, on its ii
passage and was excused from voting.
,oa This left the friends of tho Ordinance
~" amended without the required majority.
,., II motion to refer to the committee rea'
prevailed. Council then proceeded TO
consideration OF other business.
ii Religious