Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-01
UNUSUAL SCENE IN COUNCIL.

j. c. ODonnen Indignantly Accuses Chair
man Holiday Of Treating Him Dis
courteously-A Warm Controversy -
Both Gentlemen Angry-No Retractions
Made and No Apologies offered.
Two of the most dignifed members Of
Common Council became engaged in q
heated controversy during the meeting,
which, for time, looked as if it might end
seriously. President Holiday and j. @.
O'Donnell were the principals The trouble
occurred during the discussion of a resolu.
tion presented by Mr.. O'Donnell to secure
the release of one OF Contractor Gallagher's
bondsmen, it being represented that
Gallagher's bid on q Liberty street
sewer contract was too low and the
bondsman wished to avoid the danger of a
loss in consequence. Considerable opposl-
tion to the resolution was developed when
Mr. O'Donnen took the floor a second time
in favor of it City Clerk Martin was at
the moment leaning over the Presidents
desk in a subdued conversation. Mr..
O'Donnell addressed the chair and began
his speech, but noticing the Chairman was
not listening, sat down. In the momentary
looked up and asked Mr. O'Donnell why he
did not proceed. O'Donnell was pale with
Indignation. He walked down the aisle for
moment and then turned, saving: 81
wish to call the attention of the Chair and
Councils to what 1 regard as discourteous
treatment to me from the Chair. I don't
like to find fault, but twice this afternoon
the same thing has occurred -
Flushing up quickly Chairman Holiday
asked, 'To what does the gentleman
refer?"
Mr. O'Donnell-Twice this afternoon
when have addressed the Chair he has de-
iberately engaged in whispered converse
tion with persons around his desk, paying
no attention to my remarks. 1 have called
to him but he has not heard me. 1 consider
this discourtesy not to be passed over
without comment
Mr.. Holliday-The Chair meant no dis
courtesy TO the gentleman, any
Mr.. O'Donnell-I may be wrong, but, sir,
it seems to me such things occur too fire.
quently and have noticed that it occurs
oftenest when am on the floor and seems
to be intended for me more than other
members.
Mr.. Holiday had by this time Grim
soned with anger and it was evident both
gentlemen were approaching the danger
line. To Mr. O'Donnell's last remark the
Chairman replied: 1.-The Chair has ALWAYS
endeavored to treat all members courteous
ly The Chair has always been particular
ly courteous to the gentleman from the
Sixteenth ward. If the Chair enforced all
the rules the gentleman would not talk
nearly so long or nearly so often as he does.
The rules limit speeches TO five minutes
and members to one speech on any subject |
before Councils. The gentleman violates |
these rules very often and he knows that |
no discourtesy was intended to him by the |
Chair today
These remarks were made with emphasis, |
Mr.. O'Donnell retorted that the Chair |
should call him down whenever out of order |
and was proceeding on that line when Mr. |
Mr. Holiday raped for order and ended |
the discussion by directing him to proceed |
with his remarks on the resolution Amid |
an unusual quiet he did so. When he had
finished Mr.. Bigham continued the matter,
deploring the turn the discussion had taken,
and declaring his belief that no discourtesy
had been intended. Mr.. MacGonigle fol- |
lowed, saying the same thing had often hap
pened to him but he had not felt sighted,
He said he had only in that session made a
fye-minute speech especially intended for
Mr.. O'Donnell, but when he got through
not word hBd been heard BY Mr.. o Don
nell. The latter took no notice of the re-
mark and the discussion ended. No apollo
gies were offered by either of the principals.
The resolution was defeated.