St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-03-13
THE CROWLEY CASE.
The Supervisors of the Poor Have n
Lively DiScuSsiOn--RepO

lhe Supervisors Oh the fOOr nave n
Lively DiscussiOn--RepOrt
AT the stated meeting of the supervisors
of the poor yesterday a communication was
received from the city clerk calling atten-
ton to the action of the city council, rela-
tive to calling for a report from the super
visors upon the Crowley matter, which has
been pretty extensively discussed the past
week.
Commissioner Noerenberg moved that the
request be granted and that the majority
and minority reports be submitted to the
council.
Commissioner Pratt made inquiry rela-
tive to the proper procedure in such case.
He wanted TO ascertain the legal phrase of
the affair. The mayor replied that he had
not consulted the city attorney regarding
the same. The reports had been published
in the papers, and the mayor, upon the sup
position that the supervisors composed an
independent body. thought ii was not nee
esSary to make formal report TO the cOun-
ell. He did not believe the board was de-
serving of the censure imposed by Aid.
johnson, at the meeting OF the council
when the motion, calling for a report, was
adopted. The mayor thought the board
had acted in good faith.
Commissioner Clough-I don't think Mr..
Johnson meant to censure the board. He
wanted to say something and did not know
just what 10 say, and made a remark about
the neglect OF the supervisors which, in
reality, he did not mean.
Commissioner Babb stated that the men,
berS of the council who belong 10 the board
have no chairman, and consequently it has
no one TO make a report.
Mayor Pillsbury-I never heard of the
board of supervisors making a report to the
council, but as Il matter OF courtesy we
might make a report. But / think there is
a conflict of authority. The motion directs
us, whereas it should have requested us to
report.
Commissioner Pratt think we acted
right before. The reports were both pub
lished and that was in my opinion sufli-
cient.
Mayor Pillsbury-While have no desire
to get into a controversy with the council
must take issue with the action of that
body.
Commissioner DOwnes said he disliked
the tone of the councils motion. He said
it was not question Of getting infoma-
ton, and therefore he thought the supervis
orS were not holden 10 consider il.
Aid. NOerenberg explained that the
ground upon which the motion was made
by Aid. Walsh was that petition had been
presented to the council demanding an in
vestigation in the Crowley-Williams matter,
and the council had referred it to the super
visors, and that body had failed to make a
report to the council.
The charter creating the board was read
for information.
MIR. ClOugh thought, whether the board
is holden to the council or not, the best
way out Of the complication is TO make a
report.
The mayor stated that it might be more
proper to simply explain TO the council why
report had not been submitted, but Aid.
Noerenberg insisted upon his motion as at
first stated.
Capt. Babb thought by adopting the
motion the board would be establishing a
precedent. The board has never reported
and if it now reports it will be an inno-
walton.
Aid. Noerenberg took issue with that
position. He stated it was simply granting
the council a request. and also giving that
body the desired information.
After more lengthy discussion, Mr..
Pratt moved an amendment that the
minutes of the meeting be furnished the
council
Mr.. Babb then moved as a substitute for
the whole that the secretary forward the
desired information. with the statement
that the supervisors had construed the coun-
ciFs motion as asking for information.