Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-14
A BALTIMORE BOLT.
The Reform Members Block ObnOx-
tOus Legislation by Leaving the



tOus Legislation by Leaving the
Chamber.
There was hot time in the first branch
of the Baltimore council Tuesday evening,
over an attempt to railroad through an
ordinance to re establish the old board OF
fire commissioners and to do away with
tue office of fire marshal.
The fire board was abolished, aud the
office OF fire marshal was created during
Mayor Whyte's administration, and he
appointed to the place ]. Monroe Heis
kell. Heiskell took the fire department
out of politics, aud made the investigs-
ton which resulted in the indictment OF
all the fire commissioners, including
Mayor Whyte, himself, for malfeasanee in
office. Heiskell ran for mayor against
Latrobe, and came very near being
elected. One of the first acts
of Latrobe after his election was an au-
nouncement that he proposed to secure
the abolition of the office of lire marshal
and to re- establish the fire board. There
was much public Indignation at this
move, and it has been bitterly opposed
by all the reform members in the council.
1t is plainly charged and generally be.
ieved that Latrobe is pressing the mat.
ter purely out of revenge upon Heiskell
for running against him for mayor.
Last night, after three hours filibuster-
ing, Mr.. Hall arose and said in delib
crate, resolute manner: sin view Of the
extraordinary expenses the city is being
put to by this tritling, | announce that
the reform members, in order to block
the passage Of this iniquitous ordinance,
have determined 10 absent themselves
from the branch, aud warn the sergeant
alarms to place his hands upon us at his
peril, and we DEFY the branch to expel
uso
In an instant every man in the cham
ber sprapg to his feet aud gazeG with
wonder at the spectacle of the eight
counoilmen rushing hastily to the door.
Mr.. Halls gigantic form reached the
| opening first, while cries of "Stop him I''
rang out on all sides. He was confronted
| by Sergeant at.Arms Scheeler, who in an
uncertain msnner took Mr.. Hall by both
| hands. For an instant the two men pre-.
sented laugbably affectionate attitude,
and then they bsgan to struggle. Mean
while Reformer Bailey, dodging skilfully
back OF the contestants, gained the outer
corridor. Mr.. Halls voice was heard
above the tumult crying feroely to the
sergeant. alarms, over whom he lowered
at least one foot:
"Don't touch ms, sir I"
Scheeler glanced at the massive proper.
tions of his opponent, and, seeing the
crowd closing in around them, concluded
to desist Mr.. Hall thereupon stalked
out. President Burton commenced sb1ni
this time TO rap for order, and cried out;
Sergeant at. arms, close that door ~
Instantly the crowd of 100 ring Demo
Gratis, who had been standing in the
space in the rear or the members' seats
crowded eagerly forward to prevent tn,
retormers from leaving and putting stop
to the scheme for the enrichment Of "the
boys" Mr.. Hanway, snother six-foot
reformer, was the rext to reach tn,
gergesnt- at. arms after Mr.. Hall had
escaped. The officer, obedient to the
order Of the president, tried to stop him
when Mr.. Hauway likewise exclaimed il
ringing voice
"Don't dare to touch me !"
The sergeant at arms didn't dare, anG
Mr.. Hanway walked msjsstically out.
By this time the crowd of otiioioui
spectators, all of whom were in sympathy
with the ring Democrats, had gathered
around the door trying to impede thu
egrsss of the reformeIs. 0ne OF the door
was closed before MessIs. Klinefslter
Bankard and Hoffman got through, snt
at one time il looked rs if they would b,
locked in. They pushed vigorously
through the crowd, however, sut
succeeded, amid wild excite
ment in escaping. The erea
crowd in the gallery, from whom this ex
citing spectacle was entirely hidden
emitted cries and yelled advice to tn
crowd below, and the uproar becam
deaiening. President Burton was pal
with suppressed excitement as, standing
behind his desk, he watched the strang
spectacle. In about two minutes th
eight reformers had escaped and a hum @
disappointment went up from the crow,
Of disappointed ringsteEs and their poll
teal friends who remained in th
chamber.
The sergeant at arms vent after ther
and managed to catch two, and tried
compel them to come back. They resiste
him and he was unsuccessful. Tn
regulars were, therefore, obliged to ad
journ and the ordinance was not passed
The law does not allow the arrest of tn
bolters, and they affirm that they wi
not return to the chamber until til
Objectionable ordinance is withdraw
There is much excitement in municip!
circles over the event.