Daily Republican., 1889-06-14
CITY COUNCIL.
THE POLICE MATRON ORDl
NANCE VETOED.
Council Sustains the yeto-Another Or.
dinance to be Introduced-Fire
Crackers and the Fourth
of July.

Inc Clty C0uncll met last evening.
Clerk Messick being absent City Auditor
John M. Newell performed his duties in
an able manner.
The Fire Committee reported favorably
on tho petition OF The Masonic Hall
Company for box in front OF the Opera
House, and the committee was ordered
to purchase the box.
The city treasurer reported the balance
in bank to current expenses, S77, ,490 95;
park fund, S427.O4. Received of Collec-
tor Martin J. Mealey, 1875; e. p. Moody,
sl ,405.
An invitation from the joint committee,
Order of United American Mechanics, to
take part in the celebration at Union
Street Park on July 4, was received and
accepted.
A communication was received fiom
the secretary Of tue Board of Health
stating that the resolution passed by
Council In regard to Hugh Mcconnell
had been received ard laid on the table.
| Mr.. Quinn moved that the communica-
ton be returned to the Board OF Health,
but it not being seconded, motion was
made by Mr.. Roberts to receive and file
the communication.
Mr.. McMenamln moved the reference
of the communication to the Law Com
mittee.
Mr.. Quinn thought the City Council
was the highest authority In the city, and
the Board of Health was its creature.
1t had right TO investigate such q mat
ter.
Mr., Hawkins wanted the law r, al and
not have so much nonsensical talk. The
law did not apply to the case of McCon-
nell.
The law was then read as found In Sec
tion 4, page SO city charter, as follows:
"No person shall be eligible to any office
who is not at his election citizen of the
State and resident OF the city. The
Mayor mus. have rtsided In the city two
Yeas next before his election. A mem
Der of Council must also have resided In
the city two years before his election and
must additionally be, at the time of his
election, a resident in the ward In which
he is elected and a ireeholder in the
city"
long rambling discussion ensued on
the question and the motion to refer pre-
vailed.
The following communication from
Mayor Harrington was read F:
MAYORS OFFICE, June l3, 1889.
THE COUNCIL
l return herewith ian ordinance tc
provide for the appointment OF a police
matron," which has been submitted to
me, without my signature, for the follow
ing Feasons;
/. While | am in hearty sympathy
with the general object of the ordinance,
and think that the appointment of po
lice mstron wonld resuit in much good,
vet | am constrained to refuse to sign
the ordinance. because of the attempted
limitation which is placed upon 81,
. mayor in the manner OF selecting Such
matron huuld the ordinance b,.con.e
law.
The ordinance provides that 9Th
mayor shall aud he is hereby authorized
to appoint upon the Recommendation O
the associated committee of the societies
for the Prevention oi Cruelty to Children
the new Century Club, the W. c. T. U,
aud the Associated Charities a suitable
woman to act as police matron at the
police station IN the City Hail."
You will zee by the terms of this pro-
vision that the appointment of q police
matron under this ordinance 10 practl-
cally made By these four societies to the
exclusion of every other society OF a
similar character, aud ihe chief execu-
tive OF this city is made the instrument
thro ugh which these societies anEounc
their choice.
By the terms OF the city charter the
mayor is made the chief executive head
of tile city and is solely responsible for
the character of the appointment.
This is an attempt to infringe upon the
authority OF the mayor, which, while II
may be intended to operate for good, is
essentially mischievous and will, If per
mitted, serve as a precedent for no end
OF legislative interference with the ap.
pointing power OF the city.
Again, there is no reason why the four
societies named la the ordinance should
be selected Over aud above the many
organizations OF similar character in the
city.
II these or any one of the four societies
are to be made coordinate branch OF
the city government, then each and every
association in the city OF q charitable
clara, ter, of whatever sect, sex or color,
has an equal right to be included.
! The law governing the city does not
contemplate any such state of affairs. 1t
makes the executive solely responsible for
appointments, and he ought not to be re-
str cted or embarrassed as he would be
should this ordinance be attempted to be
put in operation. In fact it is my opinion,
with all Difference to your honorable
! body, IL at the provision to which | object
| Is one that the Council has o right to
pass; and that opinion think you will
6ni 10 be sustained BY the Law Depart
meut of this city, and that If this ordi.
nance stall be passed containing such
provision that ss far rs rela ee to that
provision the ordnance would be perfect
ly invalid.
1t Is with sincere regret that feel
compelled to return the ordnance with
{ ut my approval, as am thoroughly In
sympathy Ai,h the general object aimed
al; and had the ordinance no, contained
the attempted initiation upon the APP
pointing power should have cheerfully
,igned It and would have been guided iu
my selection u roney ina'!o9 10y the
vicWs aud orinious of all ItTSOls vi
with myself are interested II the welfare
of tie unfortunate people who may ct
any time Leed the care of such All off tial.
AUSTIN HARRINGTON, Mayer.
President FaIra stated the question
si.ali tie veto OF the Mayor lie su. tanned,
Alter considerable discussion the vote
to sustain tie veto resulted: Yeas, %;
nays, 4, the latter being Messrs. Cham
bers, Hawkins, Sharkey and White.
MIR. Bower was not present.
Mr.. Shorkey in explaining his vote
said 1t was very qu er that that this ordi-
nance In Its several readings in the
presence Of the City Solicitor aud the
Mayor should have been allowed TO pass
and these mistakes not discovered until
now. He believed the ordinance right
and voted against the veto.
On motion of Mr. Quinn the law COM