Morning journal and courier., 1890-07-15
GAG LAW IN THE COUNCIL.

GAG LAW IN THE COUNCIL. Councilman HilIer and . Few Friends
 of she Proposed Ordinance Prohibit
 ing Cannon Firing Complain of Being
 Choked or in Debate-Conference
 Committees on Various matters-
 Electric Lamps to be Changed 6of
 Smaller Candle Power.
 Councilman Hitler and few friends of the prouosed new ordinance prohibiting cannon firing within the city limits complained bit- terly of "gsg law" before last nights meeting of the councilmanic body had adjourned. They declared that they were choked off in debating the question and were not allowed to present the facts in the case. When the matter was first brought up Councilman Lowe's motion to table prevented any debate and afterward Councilman Keyes' new petit tion to prohibit cannon firing was summarily killed by Councilman Lowe's motion to ad- journ, which was carried.
 Another important action of the council- men was the passing of the lamp committees recommendation to substitute 1, ,200-candles power electric lights for the 2,000-power lamps now in use. By this means 8 large number of new lamps will be placed about the city.
 There has been disagreement between the two boards for some time upon the assess- ment of benefits and damages for the grad- ing of Hazel street. A committee of con- ference was appointed last night.
 The recommendation of the ordinance committee changing the city ordinances 80 that the board of finance may hold two meetings month for paying the city's fire department was passed by the board.
 The report of the lamp committee recom- mending the changing of 2,000 candle power electric lights for those of 1,200 candle power was passed without discussion.
 The sidewalk ordinances proposed by the ordinance committee were adopted in like manner.
 There was no opposition to the passage of the ordinance prohibiting the distribution of handbills and dodgers upon the streets.
 Alderman Daileys proposed ordinance pro- hibiting the display of lewd and lascivious pictures in public was also made law by unanimous consent.
 Councilman Lowe moved to table the re-. port of the committee on ordinances recon. mending the prohibition of cannon firing on the two large greens in the centre of the city.
 Councilman Hitler objected strongly. He thought the matter should not be so sum- marily killed without giving 8 chance for debate.
 Councilmon Lowe thought debate on the matter was waste of time. vote was taken, and the report was ta. bled by IS to votes. This leaves the two boards at variance in regard to the matter. Petitions referred were: Electric light or Peekins street near the railroad; sewer ir Linden street; catch basin at East and Wal nut streets Phoebe R. Lueknecker, fo, abatement of Asylum street sewer assess Ment.
 Councilman Bradley of the Ninth, Bradley of the Eleventh and Brennan were appointed to the committee of conference on the tor dressing of Academy street. Councilmen Wells, Hogan and Andrew were appointed on the conference committed upon the grading of Hazel street Councilmen Keahrle, Munson snd Hogan of the street committee were apnciutad 6 committee of conference on the top dressing of West Chapel street. Alderman Linnehan's petition for 125 new seats to be distributed among the city parke was referred to the committee on streets. Councilman Hitler moved that the ordi- nance which was tabled op motion of Coun. cilman Lowe be taken from the table. He said it was not right to operate gag law upon matter in which the health and prosperity of the citizens are concerned. Councilman Hiller's motion was voted down. Councilman Dyer presented a petition from 8 committee of the police force asking month as the fire department is at present Councilman Dyer moved that it be unani- mously passed. The petition was referred te the committee on ordinaces. Alderman Callahans resolution directing the corporation counsel to take all possible ! steps to remove the injunction pending against the oity to restrain the municipa government from rejecting the Marett be- quest for indigent poor was a topic of some | debate. .,s
 Councilman Hiller thought the paper
 should be tabled, as the aldermen and ooun | cilmen stood at variance in the matter. Tn, paper is one which virtually supports thu l position taken by the aldermen against thu councilmen.
 Councilman Gruener favored passing tn, paper.
 by the aldermen. The councilmen gran ted this request and the councilmen appointed tc the committee were Messrs. Reyes, Norris and Donlan.
 Councilman Keys presented new petition asking that the firing of cannons be prohib. ited on the public squares. He was one wht spoke strongly against stopping this meani of celebrating before the Fourth of July when the matter was first considered. H. cniu uo Anu neou onou6u unHAnBo oonc to suLi him against it.
 Councilman Keys spoke in favor of tn, petition as did Councilman Hitler and Coun cilnan Wells.
 Councilman Munson was opposed to tn, measure and thought patriotic spirit should not be dampened in this manner. The discussion began to become heated and Councilman Lowe made motion to ad journ.
 Councilman Hitler vigorously protested agrinst what he called relic of gag law, a did also Councilman Reyes. President Connor declared the motion car ried and the members jumped to their feet half dozen talking at oncs and protesting that they had not voted. Several of tn members left the room. Councilman Reyes wished to adjourn tn meeting till 10:30 o'clock. His amendment however, came too late, for the meeting hat been declared adjosrned. The friends of tn proposed new ordinance were left in higl dudgeon over what they characterized a barefaced gag law.