Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-07-09
President and New Members
Sworn In.
Mr.. MURRAYS VAIN PROTEST
He Objects to Being on the
Tail End
or Two Unimportant Cominittccs--Mr.
Benson in the Chair and Cotton at the
Helm = The Slated Committees Con-
firined.

asked the members-elect to proceed to
the Office of the clerk to have their cre-
dentials examined by Judge Ball.
Twenty-Five minutes were required to
make the examination, and at its COM
pletlon the president-elect and members
elect returned to the Council chamber
and the latter made their selection Of
seats. Mr.. Cotton took the seat nearest
the president-elect on the right, Mr..
Magee took the one behind Mr.. Cotton,
Mr.. White took the one behind Mr..
Magee, Mr.. Murray took the one at Mr..
Magee's left, Mr.. Griffin took the one
behind Mr.. Murray and Mr.. Pagan took
the one at Mr.. Murray's left. On the
left side of the aisle extending from
the platform to the rear of the chamber
Mr.. Perkins took the seat nearest the
president-elect, Mr.. Ratledge took the
one behind Mr.. Perkins, Mr.. McKelvey
took the one behind Mr. Ratledge, Mr..
Kirby took the one at Mr.. Perkins
right, Mr.. McVay took the one behind
Mr.. Kirby and Mr.. Dannenberg took
the one at Mr.. McVay's right Judge
Ball and City Solicitor Curtis occupied
seats on the platform, and City Treas
urer Adams was seated within the Coun-
Gil bar.
Immediately after the members-elect
had become seated the president-elect
was affirmed by Judge Ball.
Next the returns of the recent elec-
ton were read by Clerk Messick.
After President Benson had an
nounced that Judge Ball had examined
the credentials of the president-elect and
members-elect and found them to be
satisfactory the judge proceeded to
swear in the members-elect. The oath
was administered first to Messrs. Pagan,
McVay, Griffin and Magee, then to
Messrs. Cotton, Dannenberg, McKelvey
and Perkins and lastly to Messrs. MUIR
ray and White, after which Messrs.
Kirby and Ratledge were affirmed.
Next President Benson delivered a
brief address. He begged the members
TO give him their earnest, hearty and
united support and said he expected
them to be very lenient of any errors
which he might make. He would ad-
minister the rules with the utmost fair
ness, he declared, and do his part to
maintain the decorum of the body. He
hoped their relations would be pleasant
and that they would advance the inter-
ests of the city.
MIR. Perkins moved that Council go
into nomination and election for stand
ing committees for the ensuing term
and Mr.. Cotton seconded the motion.
By request OF the latter the clerk read
the following list of comialttccs, which
Mr.. Cotton moved be the nominees:
Finance-F. B. Cotton, H. W, Perkins
and ]. A. Magee.
Public Buildings-H. w. Perkins, NJ.
T. Dannenberg, James McKelvey, John
kirhy and John White
lawn. 4. Dannenherg, James P. Rat
ledge, John Kirby, F. B. Cotton and James
M. Griffin.
Fire Companies-Thomas w. McVay,
H. w. Perkins, NJ. 7. Dannenherg James
p. Ratledge and James NJ. Griffin.
Police-M. I. Dannenberg, James p.
Ratledge, John Kirby, James McKelvey
and J.. A. Magee.
Park-F. b. Cotton, Thomas w. Mcvav,
John Kirby, II. w. Perkins and John
White.
Printing--James McKelvey, H. w.
Perkins and John White.
Bonds-Thomas W: McVay, M. T. Dams,
nenbcrg, James p Ratledge, James Nc
Kelvey and ]. A. Magee.
Navigat!on-H. " Perkins, +. B. Cotton,
| Thomas. W. McVay, John Kirby and
James Murray.
berg, James 2; Ratledge James McKclvcy
Engrossment ~ James p. Katledge,
Thoms McVay and James Murray.
| Aooounts-.lames McKelyey, Thomas
w. McVay ard Peter A. FaSan.
Pending the adoption Of Mr.. Colton's
motion Mr.. Murray said he was sorry
that after taking the oath of Office he
was not to be permitted 70 participate in
the meetings of committees. His name
was on the tail-end Of two committees
which probably would not meet more
than once year. He saw nothing to
do on the committee on navigation, but
if his friend from the Fifth waie should
send dredger to Point Lookout hs
might steer the committee there. Con-
tinuing Mr.. Murray said he pays in
taxes probably as much as onc-hals tho
| gentlemen on the other siae. lie did
not care, he declared, for the 90 cents
| per meeting; all the business is done in
committee. Was it fair, he inquired,
that he should be deprived of the privi-
lege of representing tho people who
sent him to Council. He must protest.
Mr.. Cotton was named as member Of
four committees and tho chairman of
two, Mr.. Perkins member of six and
the chairman of two, Mr.. Dannenberg
member of five and the chairman OF
two, Messrs. McVay and McKelvey each
a member of six and the chairman Of
two and Messrs. Ratledge and Kirby
each member of six. "What have I
done," he asked, "that / should not be
| allowed to perform some committee
work2 l am taxpayer and have an
interest in the city. / have been here
3S years and intend to spend my life
here. do not see what you gentlemen
are at. If you are afraid for me to see
into the affairs of Council that settles it.
Ii you would like to remedy the matter
| will give you opportunity There
upon he moved that recess of 10 or 20
| minutes be taken so that the committees
might be reconstructed.
Nobody seconded Mr.. Murray's mo-
ton and Mr.. Colton's was put and
adopted, Mr.. Murray alone voting in
| the negative. Next, Mr.. Cotton moved
that the nominees be elected. Messrs.
Ratledge and Griffin were appointed
tellers and Mr.. Cotton was given the
casting vote. After Mr.. Cotton had
voted the tellers announced that his vote
| was for the persons named and they
were declared elected.
On motion of Mr.. Cotton the clerk
was instructed to enter on the minutes
the fact that the city judge examined
and found correct the credentials of the
presidentelect, and the city Judge and