Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-05
ELECTING THE CHIEFS.

tlEO lNU InE UfllCFo,
ID. d. Bruce Wants Them Selected by the
People-Satisfied to Let the Mayor Ap-
point Them-A Contractor Insists Upon
Speedy Payment
There was lull for q moment after the
curative measures had been approved, and
then Colonel Schoonmaker moved that the
meeting adjourn until Monday, when the
other bills could be considered.
Senator Flinn-I would like to inform the
Colonel that while these bills are being con-
sidered here they may be passed in the Sem
ate.
A Voice-No one is hungry yet. We can
stay here couple of hours.
Colonel Schoonmaker withdrew his mo-
tion, and D. D. Bruce got the floor to speak
on the bill amending the charter ordinance
and defining the duty of the chiefs. He
said:
sat in this chamber Is years and this is the
first meeting l have seen where every man kept
his seat and no one was whispering IN his ears.
We were not free, active agents-no not nine
tenths of US. Strings were pulled, we voted with
our heads down; we felt like dogs. [Applause.l
Why do we not elect the chiefs by vote of the
peopl and not by Councils? At the last mo-
ment of the last session of the Legislature
gentleman, not a Legislator, not Councilman,
but a citizen, struck out this clause and the
chiefs were elected by Councils. When we
elect Councilmen these gentlemen who control
affairs do not ask whether the candidates
are of good moral character, whether they can
read or write but will they suit us?"
Why should not the chiefs be elected by
Councils? saw man come into this cham
Der this afternoon in his shirtsieeVes. looking
l,l-o Tf ottr Hra aSnra an Of
man, who has been elected time and again by
the people. i saw another man come in with
head erect. he had been elected by the peo-
pie. He was Controller Morrow-an honest
man. [Applause.1
A Question for Senator Neeb.
Will Senator Neeb go into the Legislature
and Say the people are capable of electing the
Treasurer and Controller, but are not capable
of electing the chiefs of departments? We have
a man here who was elected Mayor by the people,
but his powers have been abbreviated. He sent
a message 10 Councils replete with good sense.
What did they do with il? When the President
sends a message to Congress the subject mat
tiers are referred to appropriate committees
What did Councils do! They referred it to the
Finance Committee and the Chairman put 1t In
his pocket.
MIR. Oliver-What is before the meeting?
The gentleman's oration is very interesting,
but we can read it in the papers.
Mr.. Bruce-I offer as an amendment tn
the bill that the heads of the departments be
elected by the people.
Mr.. Miller-I contend that the whole
theme OF election is wrong. Our experiences
have not been pleasant. We don't always
get the best men. l suggest that we fall
back ON the methods of the National Gov
ernment, where the President appoints his
own Cabinet l would have the chiefs ap-
pointed by the Mayor.
Mr. Rruce-That suits mo
Mr.. Miller-I hardly like to whisper it,
but believe that the pledge of Councils to
grant $40, 900 year in perpetuity for library
purposes will be found to be illegal.
Senator Flinn-I do not agree altogether
with Mr. Bruce. 1 do not believe that the
head of the Police Department should be
elected by the people, especially in city
so evenly divided politically as this The
gamblers used TO run this city, and they
stand ready TODAY to pay the Chief OF the
Department of Public Safety So. 900 year
to let them operate. There is no use wrang-
ling over these matters.
Carried With a Rush.
Mr.. Bruce's resolution, as amended by
Mr.. Miller, was put to q vote and carried
with rush, but few nays being heard.
Mr.. Oliver then moved that tine section
providing for the issue of certificates of in
QeDteUGeSS Oe slTlckcu Oul.
Mr.. Miller moved to lay it on the table,
but the motion was defeated. In the mean
time A. G. Robertson and the Mayor got
into snarl over parliamentary ruling,
but His Honor settled the matter by declar
ing Mr.. Robertson out of order.
Evan Jones, the contractor, arose and
said, with great earnestness: "Gentlemen, L
want to tell you that some action must be
taken toward paying tine debts due con-
tractors or there will be an avalanche of
suits against the city. These men have
been working on the Improvements and
spending their money, and they don't pro-
pose to be ruined. Many of them have bor-
rowed money from banks, for which they
are paying interest. am paying $50 day
i'll this way. Next February We will get
mandamus upon every member of Councils
and force them to appropriate money to pay
the contractors.
Mr.. Oliver-I think if 1 owe a man
money and cannot pay him. l should give
him q note for the money, and this is what
this section provides. We can't collect
this money under the curative act, even if
declared constitutional, under two or three
years.
Mr.. Bruce moved that the section be re-
ferred back to the representatives for their
careful consideration, but John Bindley
0UereQ an anenumenl 10 reIer tue DlllS un-
der discussion to 4 committee of seven to
report 10 the meeting when it met again on
Monday.
Afraid of Continuing the System.
DR.. Evans-I don't believe many persons
present are opposed to issuing certificates
for work already done, but are opposed to
continuing this system indefinitely.
Senator Flinn-The city must pay this
money and pay it now. As a taxpayer 1
would rather pay it in three years than in
one.
Mr.. Oliver-The provision does not in
crease the Indebtedness. AS soon as the
contract is awarded the city owesthe money.
The resolution for the appointment of
committee to consider the bills was carried,
and the meeting adjourned until P. NJ
Monday.
The committee, as appointed by the
Mayor, consists of Messrs. John Bindley,
d. D. Bruce. Reuben Miller, George T.
Oliver, j. II. Ricketson, Controller Morrow
and Mayor Gourley. AttorneysJ. H. White
and w. b. Rodgers have been invited to at
tend the committee meeting, which will be
held in the Mayors Office at $50 o'clock to-
morrow morning.