The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-11
BALTIMORE Is IN A TANCLE.
MAYOR CAN MAKE no APPOINTMENTS
On Account of the Councils Having Do
prived Him OF Power->o Relief from
the Lcglsiature--Wiii Appeal
to the Courts.

BALTIMORE. MD. March io-A most
remarkable condition OF anairs-unique. u
not unprecedented I'm the municipal his
tory OF this country--lS presented In Bal
tlmofes city Hall. The revolutionary
action of the City Council last night fn
taking from tie Mayor practically ala
his power and overturning the machinery
OF the city government, has caused
chaos and confusion and excited citizens
IA no other movement has done for many
years.
The ordinances passed by the Council
last night take away the Mayors power
of appointing all saiaried offices OF the
city government. and leaves him only 'he
power TO name the members OF honorary
municipal boards.
The thought that there were eiShiy-f0,ii
of his nominations hung ny: that possibly
not ono Of the men named Would ge'
into office. and some OF his best PERSONA
friends were on the list. and That thef"
are some one 100 oDmocratic hold-oNero
drawing salaries from the city treasury
had a depressing effect on Mayor Hooper
as he looked over the situation Pubic
sentiment as 10 the merits OF me nShl
between the Mayor and city Councillors
Is divided.
AS yIEwD IN BALTIMORE.
The press OF the city is almost unani-
nous in its support OF the reform nsaS s
of the Mayor He justines his actions
hv the assertion that. although he hcan-
81 tho Republican ticket last fall, he was
elected on a reform platformn. that IN.
indenendenf Democrats aided materiaiS
i'm elecfing the Republican ticket anu
/ d.se.tiu.s The Democratic rms; ana thae
ne therefore. insisted upon sel'cuhs c,,S
ot,icials without regard 70 poltics IL
struck a snag with ms hrst va''" "
nominations and has been on 'ne sa"ao
sna~ over since. The CITY kepuohcan
ca,,nc,lmen contend they have wai'eu
,hir,,- vear for patronage, ana that no"
,nat ,hev have absolute contfoi OF ene
civ Government. they want an 'ne p'""l-
To relier can be expected from inc
.ots,atnre The bill introduced III 'ne
senate AT Annapolis by President nru.''
giving 10 the Mayor OF Baltimore anso'u'u
mower by taking from the Guy 'oun''
! ia confirmation prerogatiNe, ana wiz"
,,assad the Senate by an almost hhah'-
l,,., la,, Ito was killed in the House to-
da, chairman Ford. of the baltimotS
cit,, 6elegation A very pronounceh anu
| uoouer man. was ordered TO report we
| biu which he ala. with motion 10 ias
/ a ,tnon the table This was deiea'ro ~
! ,bo close vote of 81 10 81. Mr.. ford 'heh
moved that further action on the subject
/ he deiaved until April B. The speaker
exulained that three days after the L'g-
| islature would adjourn sine die. and that
| tl,a motion was cpuiy0lcnt 10 indefinite
| postpOnement.
There were some surprising changes
from tho previous vote as the ron-caii
/ proceeded n resulted in the adoption
of the notions yeas 10 ~ nays. or the
| Is negatives. "A were Democrats
1T IS pEPLORABLE.'
Governor Lowndes and other leaders
of the Republican party are very inuch
worked ip over the condition Of affairs.
III is depiorable." his Excellency ex-
claimed. when the vote I'm the House was
conveyed to him. IT Is very unfortunate
for tho people and very unfortunate for
| he party. think that all such reyolu-
| tiouarv measures by the CITY Council
| should hc stopped 10y the LEGISLATURE.
and while don't think the Mayor should
| have the right 10 absolute appointment,
sim / think IL should be In his hands.
I hubject TO the power Of confirmation by
/ the Council. and not I'm the bands of a
| Joint convention. Now that II Is settled.
tho Legislature will do nothing toward
suportlng reform measures. Mayor Hoop
er win carry the hight into the courts.
and it will not be concluded within t~~
months VA the meantime. the Demo
cratic ofilce-holders who expected 10 be
turned out some time ago Will receive
several months more salary than they
hoped for.