Morning journal and courier., 1891-04-14
TUE MINORITY SKIPPED

md Prevented Final Action Being
Taken Among the Councalmen In
the Historical Society Matter-The
water BiIlss Final Death Blow
The sewer Bonds Rattfed-The |
Councilmen Recede From . Former |
Position.
Parliamentary tactics were used last
evening to considerable extent and some
skill at the meeting of the board of coun-
cilmen when the question came up before
them whether or not they should concur
with the action taken by the board of al
dermen at their last meeting with refer
ence to the Historical society and the FREQ
public library. The action taken then was
the passing of resolution to the effect
that the library building be not used for
any other than free library purposes.
The majority of the members were out
and out in favor Of concurring with the
aldermen and would have done so had they
not been outgeneraled. A motion to con-
cur was made, but before any action could
be taken Councilman Daggett called for
the reading of a remonstrance which was
signed by many prominent citizens, some
of whom were:
Rufus 8. Pickett, John W. Alling, Henry g.
Lewis, Richard Peck, James A. Nelson, E. L.
Armstrong Justus s. Hotchkss, Rogers White,
=. g. Warren, John Tpttle g; A. Root, Charles
feSess yrs u II erS " % 4
9. stoddard, Y: q; Bannen, samuel Lloyd, E.
George W. Kerr, Frank Lawlor.
Then Mr.. Daggett went on to say: "The
board of free library directors is a body
created by the city charter-subject to GER
sain regulations and endowed with certain
powers, namely, the purchase of land,
books, etc., and therefore he thought they
had the authority of taking the step they
had. We put our confidence in them and
ought not in a hasty manner to undo what
they have done only after a most careful
consideration. The speaker went on to
enumerate the many advantages which
would accrue in following the course pro
posed by the board of directors.
Councilman Reyes said he would like to
see the Historical society in the library
building, but he criticised the method
which had been used III order to bring that
about.
A hot debate back and forth followed
and several attempts were made1 on one
side or the other to gain a point. The
minority tried to indefinitely postpone,
and then Councilman Parsons rose to q
point of order and read from the city
charter clause to the effect that the mat
ter should be referred to committee. The
president held that the point was well
taken, and an appeal from his decision was
lost. Several fruitless attempts were then
made by the minority to adjourn, Presi-
dent Mcfarland retiring in the meantime
o,,1 hi 1>1o Iasr @o1- Nv
The majority now to get around the ruling
made by President Mcfarland earlier in
the evening, determined to settle the mat.
ter by referring it to the body as q com.
mittee of the whole, but stampede of the
minority followed and the meeting was
left without quorum. Cries of Reed
rulings were heard, but the president pro
tenn. declared the meeting adjourned and
the matter remains where it was.
THE DEWITT STREET EXTENSION MATTER.
The councilman receded from thei1
former position regarding the Dewitt
street extension which they had previously
referred to the committee on claims by
concurring with the aldermen in referring
it to the committee on streets.
THE WATER BILL.
The same steps were taken with refer.
ence to the water bill as taken some weeks
ago with the aldermen. They concurred
with that body's report of the corporation
counsels opinion and ordered il
on file. Then came the motion for in
definitely postponing the bill, which wa,
carried and the motion to r econside1
lost. The board was almost unanimous ir
these steps, only two voting against, Coun
cilmen Werweiss and Beecher.
SPECIAL coNsTABLEs.
A snarl was struck when the list Of
names for appointment as special consta
bles was read. A vigorous effort was mad.
to amend by adding the name of Vol
Levy, who did not receive the committed
recommendation. Other names, those O
Jasper H. Copeley, Thomas J. O'Conno
and Michael Hogan were also proposed
Had these efforts been successful it would
have taken about a month before those al
ready recommended would be appointed
A vote was passed to concur with the al
dermen and the other names, the three
committee on nominations.
SEWAGE BONDS.
The board voted to concur with tn
board of aldermen in ratifying the pc
| cent. sewage bonds which were issued il
the years 1887 and 1890.
PETITIONS.
The following petitions were referred:
Grade and curbing on Barclay street
between Frank and Adeline streets.
Cobble cutters on Nash street.
Petition of Jasper Il. Copely, John H
Farley, Michael Hogan and Steve Carni.
for appointment as special constables.