The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-09-21
UNDER THE GAG RULE
Council RushesT Through the Years
Most Important Measure.
Tax Levy Fixed and General ApprOpria-
tiOnS Made-Given No C0nsidera-
ton i'm the Committee.

OF all the o%utrsges upon parliamentary
decenoy perpetrsted by the present Demo-
cratic Council the climax was reached yes.
terday morning at the special session
called for the purpose of passing the ordi-
nance fixing the tax levy and the general
appropriation ordinance. The Democrats
not only passed the ordinances as they de-
sired. but. by their infamous application
OF the gag rule. prevented the least crit
icism of their action by the Republican
members upon the floor. They overssepped
the bounds of decency to the extent OF
shutting she mouths of the Republicans so
efectuslly az to forbid them even the
right to explain their votes. Though in
the majority, and assured Of the success of
any measure they chose to Introduce. the
Democratic members of the Council. led
by Rassmann and backed by President
Murphy. who ruled with the iron hand OF q
car. effectually checked the exposure of
their motives.
few minutes after 10 o'clock Presidents
Murphy and the Democratic members of
Gus which they have been holding some
where In the building and took their seats.
President Murphy assembled TO- his desk ana
raped the Council to order. IL was evil
dent that he was looking for q stormy
meeting. for when his gRvel descended
upon the desk IL seemed that q whole
heaven of thunder had been turned loose
in the Council chamber. The call OF the
roll showed every membe present except
MessrS. Costello and Linn. and the former
of these came In later. Councilman I. j.
Ry an acted "a reading clerk. and read the
call for the special ineetlng.
ANY Republican names TO thatf" asked
Mr.. Casper.
Mr.. Rassmann.
The call of the order of business was run
through with by President Murphy with
astonishing velocity. and when he asked
for reports from the finance committee MI.
Rassmann handed MP the report of the
committee recommending the passage OF
the ordinance fixing the tax levy at 6O
cents. The previous question was moved
and effectually shut off debate. The previ-
Gus question was called for by O strict
party vote. with the exception OF Mr..
White. who alone among all the Democrats
on the floor did not approve of the high
handed methods adopted by the majority.
The report of the committee was then con-
CURED in by q strict party vote OF 10 to 3.
The finance committee handed Up the
general appropriation ordinance. and Mr.
kassmann immediately moved the second
reading of this ordinance. It's engrossment
Il the previouS question upon IT. In his
unseemly hurry he so far forgot himself rs
TO embody the three motions IN one. but
afterwards separated them. The Repub-
licaDs were fully aware that they were TO
he permitted to say not q word; neverthe-
less they entered q vigorous protest to the
application of the gag. When Mr. Rass-
mann moved the previous question upon
| the general appropriation ordinance. Mr..
| Casper eX expressed his views upon the meth
DDS taken TO shut Oft debate.
81 think the calling of the previous ques.
tion upon this ordinance Is q mean and
cow8rdly way to rush IL through this
body" he said.
lit makes no difference what you may
think. Call the roll" answered President
Murphy, very sharply.
Under Mr.. Rassmann's gag tactics the or
dinance was then read the second time and
enErossed by n strlot party vote. with the
exception of Mr.. White. who again voted
with the Republicans. and Mr.. Cooper. who
was absent from the room and did not vote
| The ordinance was then passed to the
third reading and put upon it's passage; the
gag was again applied by the previous
question. and 1t was sent through by 9
party vote. The appropriation ordinance
is In every particular q compliance witt
the recommendations of the controller.
After the general appropriation ordi'
nance was disposed of the tax levy wRl
called up and it was also shot through By q
party vote under the gsg. Dir. Coopel
had the temerity to ask that he be allowed
TO ex plain his vote. +.
The previous question Is called for.
replied President Murphy. as he turned the
search light sparkling on his bosom full
upon Mr.. Cooper.
We'll. | would like to have On oppor
tunity to explain q few of these discrep
ances," Mr.. Cooper ventured TO reply.
Can't do it under the previous question
Call the roll"
TIE ordinance went through by q party
vote. as did everything else at yesterday
session.