The sun., 1896-03-11
REFORMS WINGS CLIPPED.
MArOR HOOPER OF BALTIMORE
DEPRIVED OF POLiTICAL POWER.

His Nomi.atio.s Hang Up by Counciime..
sna Ordinance Passed Over Rts Veto
Taking the Appointing Power Away
oets No Relief from tho Legislature.
BALTIMORE, March 10.--A condition OF affairs
probably unprecedented in the history Of any
large city In this country exists In Baltinore's
City Hall. Tho City Council last night took
from tho Mayor practically all his power, and
seised the. machinery of tho city Government
The ordinances passed by the Council last
night over tho Mayors veto take away from
tho Mayor tho power Of appointing all salaried
officers of tho city Government, and leave him
only tho power to ame tho members Of honor
ary municipal Bo IDS. Tho bill TO prevent this
action by tho Cor Acil failed to pass In the Legs-
iaturc to-day. As q result Mayor Hooper 10 q
moro hRurehead now.
The first batch OF the measurcs was introduced
and passed twelve days ago. Mayor Hooper
vetoed them, and ho did not believe the Council
could secure two-thrd vote in both branches
TO pass the bills over his veto. Last nights nc-
tion set at rest all doubt as to their fate. All
the Republican members Of the Council except
three voted against tho Republican Mayor.
The Council had hung up eiehty-four Of his
nominations. Some of his best personal friends
were on tho list. The Mayor said to-day:
II have not decided upon what course shnll
pursue, but shall be as firm as over In my at
tempt 10 RlV0 Jne poOple OF bdltltnOre EOOu gov
ernment. Tho City Councilmen have decreed
that am relieved by them of the discharge of
certain duties which Mayors heretofore by law
have discharged. II this is tho case. then. OF
course, have not much TO do."
Tho Mayor Is taking legal advice with tho
hope OF showing that the two thirds vote of tho
members present last night does not constitute
two-thirds Of ali tho members elected are
requisite to pass measure over his veto. The
or Ts or lin
weeks Ihey expect 70 be busy rejecting persons
TO f1ll the municipal offices, such appointees to
enter upon the discharge of their duties on the
The newspapers Of the city are practically
his 'as s! dfs' ae
ticket last fail he was elected on a reform plat.
form; that tho independent Democrats aided
defeating the Democratic ring, and that he
therefore insisted upen selecting city officials
S. sS ut Hs nt and Rss
Councilmen contend that they have waited
have absolute control OF tho city government
they want all the piums.
Mayor and his friends will! look IN yan to the
State Legislature for assistance. The bill in
sVns to the ayo OF
absolute power by taking from the CITY Coun-
Gil lto cOnnrm maLlOn prerOgatlVe, ana whlCh
passed the Senate by an almost unanimous vote,
was killed in the House to-day.
Chairman Ford Of tho Baltimore city delcRa-
tion In tho House, pronounced anti Hooper
man, was ordered to report the bill, which he
did with . motion to lay 1t upon the table. This
vas defeated by the close vote OF Al to 80. Mr..
subject be delayed until April 3. The Speaker
Legislature would adjourn sine die. and that
the motion was equivalent to indefinite post
por cement.
There were some surprising changes from tho
previous vote the roll call proceeded. 1t re-
suited in tho adoption OF the motion-44 yeas
and SO navs. or the thirty eight votes against
tho notion fourteen were Democrats. Gov.
t.owndes and other leaders of the Republican
party are very much worried over the condition
bf affairs.
ut is deplorable." tho Governor said to-day.
when the vote in tho House became known. 1T
ls very unfortunate for the people ami very un-
fortunate for the party. think that all such
revolutionary measures by tho City Council
should be stopped by tho LEGISLATURE and while
do not think the Mayor should have the right
70 absolute appointment, still think 1t should
be In his hands. subject to the power Of contir.
nation by the Council. and not in the hands of
joint convention"
Now that It is settled that tho Legislature
will do nothing toward supporting reform
measures Mayor Hooper will carry the fight
Into tho courts. and 1t will not be concluded
within two months. In the mean time the
Democratic Office holders who expected to be
turned out some tine ago will receive several
months moro salary than they hoped for.