Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-07
ORDINANCES RUSHED THROUGH
And no Opportunity Afforded by Chairman
Hunter for Any Obstruction Work
10 Be Done.
WILL HOLD A CAUCUS NEXT MONDAY,
An Injunction From the Court Will Be Asked to Fut
Step to the Election.

cuffed aud battered, but won q point,
which was partially turned down
in the Common branch. Its avowed
purpose OF obstructing legislation so as to
5,reyeni any possibility of the present Coun-
clIs from electing the heads of departments
was swept away bv one clever coup OF
C,s!rlaan Hunters The committee had
succeeded in transferring the charter ordi-
naace II Select Council and relied on the
bcilef that au attempt would be made 10 re-
amend ana thus throw the ordinance back
il. the committee where il could be held for
several days at least. Then BY Offering
more amendments wneD it was sent up they
hoped to keep it flying between the two un-
til after the terms of the present councllmen
had expired.
Settled at a Little Caucus.
Chairman Hunter and his followers real
lied this, and before the meeting last night
\ consultation was held, in which Nj. Hun
ter. Arthur Kennedy, Senator Neeb. Charles
Neeb. Emanuel Wertheimer, Charles Dahl
iuger Robert McAfee and several others
took part Their later actions proved what
had been the work of the conference.
The charter ordinance was passed so
quickly tnat the obstructionists we're struck
dumb. Every member of tine Hunter fac
ton became au ardent supporter of the re-
form measures, and before the obstruction
lists could obstruct the bill was passed, with
the intention of sIaughterinG it as soon as
the heads of departments are elected.
The representatives of the mysterious CON-
mittee, in order to cover a possible defeat,
had Select Council call caucus to nomin-
ate heads Of departments on Monday. This
was the only point Of vantage, ard when
beaten in Common Council they had the ac-
tion of Select Council concurred in by that
branch, although Chairman Hunter said it
was not regular, and the members were
compelled to attend. The idea of the CON-
mittee is TO gain a secret ballot.
Has Another Card to Play.
Although the Committee of Fifty is beaten
for the present it still holds one card which
will be played on Monday, if necessary. If
the caucus on Monday fails or the committee
sees no chance 10 hope for results in the
e..ction at night, an injunction prohibiting
tie election viii be gotten out after the ad-
iourument OF the caucus on the strength of
the point of order raised by Mr.. Gilliford
Friday night week ago. The point, it
will be remembered, was that the Finance
Committee had created the charter ordinance,
and that it could not come before Councils
for action until it had been submitted to
that body, referred TO the committee and
then sent back to Councils.
Long before the openirg of Councils the
hail and committee rooms were crowded
with people. The lobbies in both chambers
were stuffed full of anxious citizens, and
people were even standing in the windows.
Chairman Hunter and all of his following
were the soul CT good humor. In fact, the
Chairman looked as if he had not been sick
a dav. In fact when the roll was called in
the Common branch. President Hunter
answered AYE" instead of present when his
name was called.
The first ordinance was that authorizing
the issue of S160, 600 electric light bonds. 1t
was passed finally, also a resolution for the
payment of s., 800 TO the Allegheny and
Perrvsville Plank Road Company for por-
ton Of the plank road from the city limits
10 the tavern of Jacob Born, and for the
pavment of Sl2 600 to the Federal Street and
Pleasant Valley Passenger Railway COM
panv for that portion of the Perrysville road
from the head of Federal street TO Born's
tavern.
The call OF wards was proceeded with and
several papers presented and referred to the
proper committees. Mr.. Neeb presented a
resolution for an electric light on South
avenue and Borland avenue; Mr. Ha1 a
petition of the United Bohemian Societies
for exoneration of taxes; Mr.. Smith,
resolution for some means
10 reach Herr's Island; Mr.. Koehler a peti-
ton ior permission to erect a wooden build !
ing on Robinson street; Mr.. Groetzinger 4
petition tor the exoneration OF taxes; Mr..
Knox resolution for an electric light on
California avenue, and a resolution that the
Senators and Representatives be urged to
vote for the passage of bill TO change the
system of voting TO the Australian or some
other system. After some discussion it was
referred to the Committee on Legislation.
Chairman Hunter as Speaker Reed.
Everybody braced up then, for the char
ter ordinance was next in order. The pro-
ceedings, however, were interrupted by Mr..
Gregg, who offered a resolution TO hold
caucus on Monday afternoon to nominate
candidates for the heads of departments
Nh Hunter-Out OF order.
Mr.. Gregg-It is in order, and insist
Chairman Huuter-The Chair rules the
resolution out Of order. There are no
caucuses in Councils. We elect by viva
yOce vote.
Mr. Gregg then withdrew his motion and
Clerk Dilworth began the reading of the
charter ordinance as amended by Select
Council. In the meantime number of the
Select Councilmen reformers had entered
Council Chamber and several of the men,
bers of the Common branch had left their
seats. and a conference was going on when
ChairmIl Hunter exclaimed:
Select Councilmen will please leave the
floor Of the chamber and not do any cleo
tioneering The Chair will not permit it.
The members must be allowed TO vote for
themselves in this matter"
TIE hum of voices subsided and the
Chairman stepped to one side and held
conference with Messrs. McAfee, Wertheimer
and others. But as the reading reached the
close he resumed his seat, and with the title
of the ordinance held before him he waited
the close. The last word had hardly been
spoken when the Chairman, with the
promptness of an actor catching his cue, be-
gan the second reading Of the ordinance.
Moving Along if Creased.
The third followed as swiftly and stimuli
taueously. Messrs. Neeb and Dahlinger
moved its adoption. 1t was seconded as
quickly, hut before the vote could be called
Mr. Stauffer moved TO take the ordinance up
section by section.
Chairman Hunter-It is my opinion there
is a motion before the house, and the Chair
will state for the Information
Mr.. Stouffer-I made a motion and do not
wish an opinion from the Chair. If Coun-
ciis don't like it they can vote il down.
Chairman Hunter-The Chair knows what
il is doing.
Nv StoufTar-I had motion regularly be-