The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-03
COUNCILS DID NOT AGREE
One Adopted kuthven Resolution.
Other Laid 1t On the Table.
INTRODUCED IN The COMMON
Was Adopted by That nOdy After Some
Debate. but When 1t Went Over TO
the Select Very Different
Action Was Taken.

A resolution directing the mayor to
cause V. NJ. Ruthven, the lecturer, to
leave the city was passed by the COM
mon council last night, but was laid on
the table in the select
In the sixth order of business Presi-
dent Grier. of the common council, in
troduced the following resolution:
Resolved by the common council of tie
city OF Scranton, the select council con-
curing, that the mayor of the city be re-
quested to employ proper measures to
force ". NJ. Ruthven to leave the city.
His books. which are being circulated
throughout the city, are obscene and in-
jurio,.s, and his language SO immoral and
offensive that 1t is a marvel that he Is
able to find in the city a person so de-
graded as to sit and listen to his vapOrings
during meeting.
Mr.. Regan moved the adoption of the
resolution and Mr.. Hickey seconded
the proposition. Mr.. Zeidler said that
the mayor had already acted in the
matter and he did not think councils
had any right to pass such resolution.
Mr.. Oliver also expressed the opinion
that councils had no right to consider
the resolution.
Mr.. Noone held contrary opinion.
He thought the adoption of the meas
ure proper as 1t would expresses the
sentiments Of the members Of councils
on the matter.
SIMON THOMAS MOTION.
Simon Thomas moved to lay the res
olution on the table but this motion
was not seconded. Mr.. Zeidler advised
reason that he believed councils would
be exceeding their powers in doing so.
He did not want to defend Ruthven's
conduct but he felt that the proper
course would be to have him arrested
| and arraigned before some alderman.
1t would be wrong for councils to get
mixed up in religious discussion.
Mr.. Noone declared that there was
nothing religious about Ruthven and
that it was proper the resolution should
| pass. Mr.. Nealis favored the passage
of the measure. he said, because 1t
would be notice to the mayor that the
councils would sustain him In any reas-
enable effort to rid the city of Ruthven.
The resolution was then put and was
| adopted but two nays being heard in
opposition. The roll was not called.
When the resolution was presented
| in select council Mr.. Manley moved to
concur. Mr.. Fellows raised the point
that the resolution was out of order,
as it was not a councilmanic matter.
Mr.. Lauer made a motion to have 1t re-
| Mr.. Coyne objected to this, as 1t
meant virtually that the measure
would be buried. He said he deplored
the fact that such a measure had been
| introduced as the only effect it would
! have would be to give Ruthven more
notoriety. but as 1t was before the body
he felt that it should be disposed of
one way or the other
Mr.. Roche agreed with Mr.. CoynC
| that the resolution should not have
been introduced, but felt that there
ought to be an expression of sentiment
on it while 1t was before the house.
MIR. WILLIAMS OBJECTION.
Mr.. Williams objected to the resolu-
tion on legal grounds. He said they
had no more right to pass q resolution
to Danish Ruthven than to pass one tC
Danish Ingersoll or anyone else of that
stripe that might come to the city. He
was opposed to Ruthven's course. but
believed the courts should be appealed
to II 1t was desired to put stop to him
MIR. Lauer contended that the resolu-
| ton should go to the Judiciary COM
mite, as it raised the question of law
! as to whether or not the mavor would
have the power to follow the behests
of the resolution If it did pass.
Mr.. Sanderson moved to lay the mat
ter on the table. Mr. Roche objected
to this proceeding. He again contend
ed that the resolution should not have
been introduced, but as it was before
the house there should be no dodging
Mr.. Sanderson called attention to the
fact that all this discussion was out OF
order as q motion to lay on the table
was before the house. Mr.. Chittender
got in Il last, word. saying that the
resolution did not belong to council
The vote was called on the motion to
table the resolution and II passed by q
vote of IA to 7-ayes. Ross. Finn
Thomas. Williams, Durr. Chittehden
Wagner, Schwenk. Sanderson. Eel
lows. Schroeder Lansing. Westpfahl
Lauer. Il: nays. Kelly. Clark, Roche
Manley, Mccain, Burns. Coyne, Z.