The Rock Island Argus., 1885-05-05
MQrdOck'S Methods.
He Attempts to Rule the Coun-
Gil with an Iron Hand but
Meets with Opposition.
Aldermen Collins and Schre-
der make a Stubborn Fight
against the One-Man
Rule Doctrine,
And with the Aid of the Dem
ocratic Members makes it
Decidedly Lively for
His Honor.
Bill Hy makes Another Charge
r on the Hump.backed Cross
ings, but is Ignomini-
ously Defeated.
An Insult to the Business Men
of Rock Island by the
Kangaroo Admins
tration.
HEAR YE! HEAR YE!!

A PICNIC AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
The Inclemency of the weather last ev-
ening was favorable TO indoor amuse>
ments, which, no doubt, accounted for
the large audience present TO witness the
evalutions of the aldermanic actors as
they appeared in their different roles.
The main attraction of the evening, how
ever, was the delineation and character
acting OF the one>man power of the new
mayor, in which celebrated role he has
few equals and no superiors Alderman
Lafrenz was unavoidably absent, which
was a source of regret to his many ad-
mirers.
The performance opened with the read
ing of the minutes of the so-called meet
ing held on April Goth, which were oh
jecled to by Alderman Schroeder by rea.
son of their illegality The mayor un'
hesitatingly,- and with considerable
gruffness, ruled the motion out of order
notwithstanding the protest of Al
derman Schroeder, who claimed
he had no authority to ap'
point engineers for the waterworks. Tht
minutes were declared approved withou
calling the aye and nay vote.
The next clash was upon the approva
of the bonds of the appointive officers
Alderman Schroeder objected to th
bonds of Messrs Lawhead and Meehan
engineers at the waterworks, for the res
sons above stated-that the mayor ha,
no authority to appoint them.
Alderman Schroeder-'1 don't believ
in the one man power. The aldermen
don't appear to have any voice here 6
all"
lyon have it all to say" broke in tn
mayor.
Aldermen Collins called for the opinio
of the city attorney, as to whether tn
engineers were appointive officers or moi
Mr. Sweeney said they were not, accord
ing to the ordinance.
Mayor-'Judge Wilkinson says the
are officers, just as much as policemen
and have the right to appoint them"
Alderman Collins-"The superinter
dent of the waterworks has to give hi
personal bonds for the safety and preseI
vation of the machinery, and he shoul
have the privilege of appointing his ow
engineers"
Alderman Larkin-"You might as we
say the city marshal has the right to al
point the police. A"
Alderman Cavanaugh-''Judge Wi
kinson appears to he be the mayors a
torney, and the city attorneys opinion
adverse to that of the Judge. "
had better be careful in proceeding
and l move as substitute that Il
1 matter be referred to the ordinance con
mittee to report at the next meeting
This motion was lost, and the wranglil
continued.
Alderman Larkin-"I think the eng
neers should be placed under bonds f
the faithful performance of their dutie
This thing of allowing the superintende
to appoint his men is boys talk"
Alderman Schroeder-"It sounds me
like mems talk"
Mayor Alderman Schroeder is alt
gether wrong, and talks ="
Alderman Schroeder-"If the may
wants to make q speech let him get do
down on the floor and select some one
preside"
Without further parleying the questi
of having the superintendent appoint
own men was put to a vote, and it CT
!. ried, which action sustained the alderm
( to the confusion OF the mayor.
BILL HY SHOWS HIS HAND.
The mayor appeared very anxious Il
Alderman Larkin be allowed to rea'
report which he had in his hand.
4 proved to be an offer from DOWN.
Bros. to substitute some wider and fiat
iron crossings than those now in u
The council sensibly refused to entert
, the proposition, which would entail
needless expense The scheme was c.
cocted by Bill Hy. who by this mel
thought he could have his mortal enemi
the humpbacked crossings, forever
moved from his sight. 1t is about II
that Bill Hy discovered that the crossil
are too much for him.
E BUTTERFLY BENNETT.
The newly elected police magistra
Mr.. Robert Bennett, framed prayer
the council that the city allow him 5
wear for Office rent fuel. etc, and
gentle litter passed around the ro
,e when this modest request was m
!. known. The aldermen could not und
stand why the late member of the col
Gil should be elected to a well pay