Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-05-08
An Interesting Local See.Saw!
RECALCITRANT COUNCILMEN.

the City Council, MI. burke, one OF TN
Democratic members from the SECOND
ward, being absent from the city, tn
other three, Messrs. Brooks, Week ant
Duggan happened, accidentally, tt
have something more pressing to attent
to elsewhere, just about the hour O.
meeting.
The Mayor, however, concluded to bt
present in order to zee what kind Of
music the boiling quartette of lndepen'
dent Councilmen had in store for the
occasion. They, of course, were more
than willing to hold a meeting, mas.
much as they would stand four to the
Democrats three-a la Joe Bradley fas h
ion
The Mayor ordered the Secretary to
call the roll, and declared quorum to
be present. Here the quartette objected;
they did not recognize four Councilmen
with the Mayor as quorum. Would
not the Mayor send for tho three absen-
tees, suggested one of the Councilmen,
in compliance with an existing resolu-
ton instructing him to compel the at
tendance of absentees! To this inquiry
the Mayor replied that, while it may be
true that such resolution existed, still
no method of c0mpulsion was therein
specified. If the Council would instruct
him by regular motion or resolution,
to have them arrested and brought in,
he would do SO; otherwise, he would
not take the responsibility of pursuing
such an arbitrary course upon himself.
He was ready to obey, if ordered by
the Council, awe won't offer any mo-
ton, because we would be recognizing a
quorum by so doing" remarked ono of
the boiling members. "But you did
send for an absentee some time ago."
said another to the Mayor! eyes," was
the reply, "bnt it was upon your own
motion, concurred in by the Council
and then by subsequent notion" he
added, "the member was excused from
coming"
That was a clincher!
Here the attorney Of the quartette
asked to be permitted to make a few
remarks. The Mayor acceded, there
being no objection, of course, offered by
the Councilmen. The attorney stated:
"The interests of the city might suffer
by a continuance of the embrolio." He
eff some official would agree
to endeavor to draw his salary, SO that
an injunction might issue, the matter
could then he settled by the District
Court"
The Mayor replied that no cmbroglio
existed. The trouble complained of could
be settled at once; quorum was then
present, and he was ready to transact
any business that might be offered.
''rhis would not do" said they.
A member present suggested that
of lawyers might be called
to decide the matter. To this the Mayor
retorted that, if all the lawyers in the
State in council assembled gave their
opinion on the subject, it would not
have the force of law.
Another member remarked with some
warmth that the absent Democratic
Councimcn were not doing their duty
towards their constituents, by remain
ing away. This brought smile to the
Mayors countenance, and he replied
that it sounded somewhat strange to hear
such complaint from gentlemen who,
at the last meeting, had risen from their
seats and left the hall during the DELHI
eratlons, in utter contempt of the Coun-
Gil. Surely the Democratic members
could not be expected to do that which
they had done themselves in so unu-
'ual manner.
Councilman Wax then offered the fol-
lowing: "There being no quorum pres
INT, | now move that the Council adj
ourn until tomorrow at 10 o'clock, and
hat the Mayor be instructed to inform
lbsent members of this fact.
MIR. Gimlel seconded the motion, and
1pon the call of the roll by the Secretary
'he following members voted aye:
Messrs. Wax, Gimler, Grady and nc
cabe. The Council then adjourned in
accordance Herewith.
And here is presented the spectacle of
gentlemen who deny the existence of a
quorum in a resolution, and neverthe
ess vote to instruct the Mayor to in
orm absent members, and also to adj
o''rn to date intervening between the
'egular monthly meetings of the Coun-
Ill!
wonders will never cease, though the
oses one by one fall to the ground. The
Mayor was absent on Tuesday, but the
was present to note another
djournment-this time by 'bob-lailed
Quorum of four! The Secretary was
to ask the Mayor to sign the
proceedings, which the Mayor declined
0 30. These were published over the
he secretary's signature alone.
On Wednesday came the tug of war.
20 Secretary! But the valiant ouartette
we're not dishcartened; they met again
nd adjourned till Thursday; then till
friday. On these occasions the official
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