The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-02-09
His Pet Ordinance Was MOI Even Considered
by COnnCllmen,
MR.. BROWNlNG'S SUBSTITUTED
And That Gentleman Pointed Out
Many Detects in the Other BiIl--He
Even Used an Editorial of Scran-
ton Paper in His Argument-Mr.
Ouhigg and Mr.. Robathan Made
Sarcastic Speeches.

Common council met in regular sss
sion last evening and the only absentee
was T. b. Howe, who was in New
! York, Mr. Grier aud his pole tax or
( dinauce got knocked out completely.
and council by vote of .l2 to de
cided to give the Browning ordinance
| the preference. In the sixth order of
business Mr. Grier novel to recon
slider the action taken at Monday
nights meeting. aud Mr. Robathan
poured into the member from the
Third n charge Of oratory heay,
! ily laden with sarcasm and
irony which took the recipients
breath away and caused him to sub.
| side. lie left the room shortly aftOr-
ward, but before going moved for a
special meeting on Monday nigat, Mr.,
Browning asked him TO make it any
evening but Monday. Mr.. Grier re-
mained as silent IA il ne was de-
prlyol OF the power Of speech, The
motion was seconded aud put and Mr.
Grier recovered sufficiently to vote yes
His was the only voice that was heard.
THE BROWNING ORDINANCE
When the license committee was
called. Mr Browning moved that the
ordinance that bore his name should
be taken from the committee. Mr..
| RObathan seconded the motion. Speak
ing on the question. Mr. Brown.
ing said "rne people of this
city expsct US to act on this
question aud Mt this time. They
have a right TO expect AS much, "
| Mr.. Browning then read an editorial
from a city paper telling councils to do
right aud avoid bungling. He stated
that this was one of the reasons which
impellsd him in his present action,
There was no other ordinance before
council True. one was considered 1t
was framed by the editor of the paper
referred to but was defective in several
| particulars. 1t was introduced illegally,
the original copy was u rejected ordi-
! nance, it contained no penalty clause,
nor did it provide for its publication,
Mr. Browning stated that his ordinance
cOuld stand the test of any court. The
introduction meant his defeat, but hs
would rather DO right than be council
ultl, lIp hSh6u kudb Auu BCuNlNllloh
who favored the other ordinance should
show their sincerity by voting for this
Mr. Duhigg followed Mr. Browning
He poured some hot shot into Mr.. Grier
and the sheet that sOetted him.
GRIER WAS sPEECHLEss.
The gentleman from the Third ward
was speechless. He snickered and
g!ggled as if the scene was very anus
ing, but could not reply to any Of the
arguments against his poorly drafted
ordinance, nor could he say q word
when Mr.. Browning pricked the bubble
OF the sheet he represented by
using the ammunition that
iIs editor furnished. The vote was
decisive. and it was as much to show
the lack of stability in the power be-
hind the ordinance as anything else.
that the members decided to take up
the other ordinance drafted by Mr.
Browning, ana which can pass the most
careful legal scrutiny, being free from
defects in every particular.
The Browning ordinance was re
ferred to the judiciary committee for
printing.