Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-03-11
1T DIDN'T GO.
REMARKABLE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN COUNCIL
LAST NIGHT.
The Two Branches at Loggsrhsads Over tie RsP'r
Of the Conference Ccnmitss-Ths DOcu-
msnt Laid on the Table.

There was a somewhat unusual ant
sensational situation In Council las
evening, growing out OF the presenta
tion in the First Branch of the repor
of the Committee Of Conference on Cit!
Salaries, and the result was that the
session broke up in good deal of &
row, with both Branches at loggerhead:
and the ponding business about hall
transacted.
At the last regular meeting Of the
body, two weeks ago, the report Of the
Standing Committee on Salaries was
submitted, accompanied by an ordinance
which made some changes in the fig
ures paid city officers and employees dur.
ing the past two years, the changes, in
all cases, being increases. The ordi-
nance came up in the Second Branch,
and was there debated and finally
adopted in an amended form.
The measure in this shape, did not
suit the First Branch, and they incor-
porated considerable number of
amend ments, in some instances adding
to the increases already made by the
Second Branch, and leaving the aggre-
gate amount but $3.50 less than the
aggregate of the Second Branch figures.
The ordinance went back to the Second
Branch, which refused TO concur, and
asked for Committee Of Conference.
This was appointed, and the Committee
at once retired, but without waiting for
a report the First Branch adjourned
without notifying the Committee. The
Committee heard of the action OF the
First Branch by accident and at once
adjourned until the Monday before the
next session Of Council, which was Mon
day evening of this week.
The Committee re-assenbled that
evening, seven OF the eight members
being present, and recommended TO
Council that the figures fixed in the or
dinance by the Second Branch be
adopted by Council, as detailed in yes
terday's REGISTER. This brought the
matter down to last night.
When the First Branch 0f Council
settled down to business last night the
report of the Committee was taken up,
and Mr.. Emsheimer moved 10 lay 1t on
table, insisting that il was only signed
by three OF the eight members, and was
minority report, despite the fact
that one of the signers was Mr..
Pollock, Chairman OF the Committee,
who was on the side OF the minority and
favorable TO the stand taken by tho
First Branch. 1t was explained that
Others had not signed it because they
could not be found, and that at any rate
it was unusual for any one but the
Chairman of the Committee to sign
report, but nevertheless the motion TO
table was carried, there being no dis
senting vote cast
This action was reported informally
to the Second Branch members, and
created "A good deal of indignation
among them. Mr.. Robertson rose and
said he had been informed that the re-
port of the Conference Committee had
been made TO the First Branch, and had
been there laid on the table. He thought
the report should have been made to
the Second Branch, to say nothing OF
the almost direct insult to the Commit
tee. He looked on a Conference Com
mittee as being aim )st Board Of Arbi-
traitors, and it should be respected.
Mr.. Capps took the same stand. He
said if the report Of q Conference COM
nittee was not TO be respected, there
was no use in naming such a Committee.
He moved that the First Branch be
asked to deliver the report of the Com
mittee to the Second Branch. The
resolution was unanimously adopted,
and Mr. Weitzell was asked to respect
fully inform the First Branch OF the
action taken, and to respectfully ask for
the papers.
Mr.. Weitzel went on hisl errand and
made the request and was given the
paper. There was hasty exchange OF
whispers between MessrS. Campbell and
O'Kane, and the latter Jumped up and
objected TO the paper being taken away;
il was on the table and there IL should
remain.
The Chair said he had not thought Of
that; that it was a question with him.
Mr.. O'Kane-It is in our possession.
Mr.. Weitzell-No, it's in mine, now
The Chair-No, it isn't.
Mr.. Weitzell-All right.
He then handed the paper back TO Mr.
Farrell. and Mr.. Weitzell retired and
made his report.
This stirred up the Second Branch
members worse than ever, and Mr.
Capps took the floor and denounced the
action Of the First Branch. He said he
had been told Monday that no matter
what action was taken by the Confer
ence Committee, the report was 10 be
turned down I'm the First Branch, aud
added that the spectacle Of minority
irving TO run the majority was one not
especially edifying. "If this is To 20
ON. " he said, 1.-The sooner we abolish one
or the other Branch OF Council, the bet
ter It will be for the city. The report
of Conference Committee is sup
posed to be accepted in good faith, and
yet the First Branch throws 1t on the
table, and then snaps its fingers at us,
and refuses to send the paper here,
where ii should have come in the first
place, it involving an expenditure OF
money"
There was some more talk OF this sort
and then Mr.. O'Malley moved that the
Mayor be requested to instruct the
Clerk OF the Conference Committee 10
transmit the papers to the Second
Branch.
Mayor Seabright occupied seat by
the side of President Jcpson, and he
said he was not Mayor then, as Mr..
Farrell was presiding over the First
Branch.
Mr.. O'Mdfey then amended his mo-
tion so as to read, THE Mayor of the
City OF Wheeling is ordered" etc, and
il was unanimously adopted.
Mayor Seabright then left his seat
and went to the chamber OF the First
Branch, where he took the Chair, but
said nothing upon the subject he was
requested to speak Of by the Second
Branch.
As soon as the Mayor took the Chair.
the lobby filled up with members Of the
Second Branch and spectators, the Sec
ond Branch having taken recess. a
motion was made by First Branch
member TO adjourn, but the Mayor re-
| fused to entertain il, and sent a meSSen-
senger in the person of Mr.. Happy %
notify the Second Branch of the rcadi-
ness OF the First to adjourn. Mr.. Happy
returned with the information that the
Second Branch was in recess, awaiting
the return Of the report of the Confer
ence Committee.
The Mayor then said he hoped the
/ First Branch would not adjourn, and
put the question, which was carried.
The Second Branch members then
went back TO their seats, and adjourned
| also.
The adjournment of Council in this
manner left the business in an uniin-
ished state, and will probably necessi-
toto tho calling Of q sDaciai session.