Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-12-15
OUTRAGEOUS.
THE C0WARDLY ACTION OF TIE RBPUBLI-
CAN MAJORITY IN COUNCIL.
Afraid Of Free Speech, They Apply the Gag-Lsw p
Democrats, and Force Through the Gerry
naDdsr 0rdinaao Without Re
gard 10 Law or Custom.

Both Branches of the City Council met
in special q ssiOn, last night, for tie Csten-
sible purpose Of clearing up the unfinished
busir ess Of last Tuesday evening, but in
reality to pass through the body, II IOssi-
bic, the outrageous gerrymsnder ordinance,
upon which the Republicans chiefly rely
to maintain their majority in Council, at
the coming election, and about the fate of
which they were becoming anxious. These
signing the call made every effort TO keep
the fact 3 secret, some Of them even going
to the trouble Of lying about it when asked
as to whose signatures were appended
to il.
In the Second Branch the members were
called to order by Mr.. Maxwell, at q quar-
ter before eight o'clock, who moved that
Mr.. Allison take the chair.
The session wa prolonged until tan
minutes OF o1e O'Clock this morning, and
it is entirely safe to say that no such pro-
ceedings were aver before witnessed in a
deliberative body, supposed to work under
the rules laid down for the government Of
such assemblages.
The Republican majority, in Its al anxiety
to secure the passage Of their iniquitous
campaign scheme, cast law, precedent aud
decorum 10 the winds, aud conducted the
proceedings, for the most part, with an
unfairness and a disregard Of the conven-
tionalities which was altogether shameful
and outrageous.
A feature Of the meeting was the pres
ence, in the lobby. ofalmost every Republic
can office holder in the various depart
ments of the city government, and they
acted az a sort Of special police force TO
keep weak. kneed members in line, prevent
their straying off home, and aiding those
upon the floor by counsel and advice. Many
Of these people made themselves very con-
spicuous during the night, they being evil
IDENTIFY impressed very thoroughly WITH
the necessity ofhustliug hard if they hoped
10 continue in Office the coming two years.
The regular order being suspended, on
motion Of Mr.. GrGss, the application OF
Patrick O'Neil, to keep o coffee house. at
1147 Market street, with AN accompanying
petition Of Thpmss Lacey, 70: g rebate,
was sgreed to.
The tond Of Chief banning, of the ire
department, in the penal sun Of ) 1000,
with Jesse Hall and John Johnston as
sureties, was approved and ordered filed.
Mr.. Maxwell, WHO bad gone over to the
solidly Republican southwest corner Of the
room, came to the surface about this time
with q motion to further suspend the rules
and take up the gerrymander ordinance
Mr.. Cruise, WHO had made the original
motion to suspend, made q kick, and hav-
log explained the purpoIt of his motion to
President Gilleland, who had come in, q
vote was required on Mr.. Msxwell's
motion, and it resulted, syes Is, noes Z.
Mr.. Cruise made the point that, under the
new rnles, it required q two-thirds vote to
suspend the rules.
Mr.. Caldwell-WheTe do you get that?
Mr.. Gruse-Right out Of the rules.
Mr.. Caldwell-Well, ! guess not.
Mr.. Gruse-I guess so. l demand The
reading of the rule. That's the only pro-
lection for O minority.
Mr.. CALDWELL don't remember any
thing OF chat cot in the rule3.
The rules were sent for, and on the sec
ton concerning the case being resd by the
Chair, while Maxwell and Allison and
several other Republicans looked over his
shoulder, President Gillelsnd decided Mr..
Gruse's point was well taken, and ordered
the minutes read. This showed Mr.. Cald-
well didn't know much about the rules. or
was acting with intent to deceive.
Acting Clerk Duns Hsy began to skip
over the record, but Mr.. Cruise called a
halt and demanded that the full record be
read.
Mr.. Duuawny-Mr. President, sm l to
be Interrupted in this way?
Mr.. GTuse-l have q right to know what
the record contains.
President Gillsland-Mr. Clerk, you will
read the record in full.
Mr.. Gruss-That's what l want. Pm
entitled to the information.
Mr.. Dunawsy-If you'n come up here
and watch
Mr.. Gruse-Tbat's not my place, but /
want the record read.
Unuer THIS pressure MI. OunaWby pro
ceedtd to wade through the figures and
things, while the Republicans gathered
about in little knots and discussed the
matter.
About halt-pa9t eight o'clock Mr.. Cruise
made an inquiry about the minutes, re-
glrdiug the Committees report On the
enumeration of the city, and Mr.. Harreil
followed with o question Ct privilege. He
wanted to kuow who called the session.
The President-That's exactly what I'd
like to know.
The Chair, however, thought it too late
To raise the question. Mr.. Harrell persist
ed, however, and was ruled out and told 10
sit down.
Mr.. Cruise appealed from the decision Of
the Chair, and Mr.. Hsrrell and the Presi-
dent aud Mr.. Cruise and Mr.. Caldwell and
Mr. Maxwell entered iu:o a discussion,
which was at times q little acrimonious, and
finally, on Mr.. Harrelrs persistiug in an
attempt 20 explain his point, President
Gilleland sIii:
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