The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-11-11

The session of the city council last
night was characteristic of the early
history of the present body for its
stormy scenes. Personalities were in
dulged in and there was such d total
disregard Of parliamentary conduct that
the chamber at times looked like any
thing but body of dignified men elect
ed TO look after the business of q great
city. 1t would not be fair to say that
all the conncilmen participated, but
those who did made UP for the others,
and the balance was contributed by
City Attorney Mckay.
The first scene was caused by Mayor
Glendinning's veto of the ordinance
abolishing the Office of captain of po-
lice. Under the proper order the veto
message was read, when O'Meard arose
and asked Assistant City Attorney
Hampstead to explain the section in
the fire and police law stating that the
office of police captain could be abol-
ished at the pleasure Of the council.
What MIR. OMeara endeavored TO get
at was an Interpretation of the law to
the effect that the ordinance in question
was not subject TO approval by the
mayor.
Mr.. Hampstead replied in his opinion
that the council was pursuing a proper
course.
Before Mr.. Hampstead could finish
Stewart objected to the attorney talk
ing, and this brought on the trouble.
O'Meara became visibly irritated and
characterized Stewards objections as
OF d bulldozing order. contending that
any member at any time had a right
to CAL upon the city attorney for an
opinion, and that it was an injustice TO
deny the privilege, and further that no
member had right to object Callister
sustained O'Meara in his views, but
the chair refused to coincide and ruled
the attorney had no right 10 speak
when any member objected.
CaIlister appealed from the decision
of the chair but before the motion was
nut Stewart withdrew his objections
and the question was not put 10 a
vote.
Lloyd stamped the whole proceeding
as 'sbdlderdash,' contending that no OBJ
jections could hold good when a mem
Der desired information from the city
attorney.
President Newell then decided that
The city attorney might speak if he felt
so disposed.
RoMNEY WANTS INFORMATION
This remark brought Romney to his
y
know, Mr. Chairman, if we can not
even compel the city attorney to speak
if we so desire. What do we pay him
for?"
eFor doing nothing" interjected
O'Meara.
After some further wrdngling
= O'Meara wanted Assistant City Attor-
ney Hampstead to read section Of
the fire and police law. The attorney
did ncs have the law at hand and the
matter went over to come up later.
Under the proper order of business the
veto was called UP again, Hampstead
was on hand with a copy Of the law.
and everybody was prepared 10 listen
TO its reading. But instead Of Mr..
Hampstead appearing, City Attorney
Mckay took the floor, desiring to make
some explanations. and this is what he
said in substance:
Mr.. Chairman-A great deal has been
said about the city attorney tonight
and many insinuaJions made Now, l !
want TO state our Office endeavors to /
treat all fairly. Whenever / am called I
upon 90 give an opinion I respond !
There are some members in this body, !
however, (sneeringly) who take delight /
IN saying smart things about the city /
attorney. Now. 1 want 10 remind you I
gentlemen OF the council that the mem /
her from the Fifth who tonight has con- /
fenced LfldL 10 VDjFC-AtEiS tOui'A i'C !
raised against the city attorney speak /
ing. has repeatedly made objections |
himself and on the strength thereof L !
have not been permitted to speak until /
the question of permission had been
put 70 a vCte.
CALLISTES OBJECTS TO CRITI-
CISM
Mr.. Mckay got no fur.her. Canister
called him 10 order. You have no.
been Gained uDCfl 20 address this body
ard I object to your coming in and
crhicising any member Of this board
he declared. shaking his finger in close
proximity to McKay's face.
You have cast reflections upon
my began tils attorney.
cast reflections, nothing. Speak
when you are called upon, shouted
CalIister. again vChemeHuly shaking his
finger at sIae attorneys pr0boscis.
The chair raped for order. and the
uproar subsidized only 20 break out
o.Msara, who had been a silent
listener to the city attorneys bread
SIDES. arose, flushed in the face, ana
demanded to know of the chair on
personal privilege someone piped
.'well. then, I want 10 speak to a
question OF personal privilege" said
O'Neara-
'pThe chair is Of the opinion speaking
on question of privilege is out of or F.
der at this. time. sternly responded the |
chair.
.Wen, want exactly the same as
Judge Mckay had" Qaughter), de-
nlanded the irate member, The chair
desisted, and O'Meara broke loose:
Il have been listening patiently to !
the city attorneys abuse. I want to |
state he was not called upon Tor an
opinion asked Mr.. Hampstead,
man whose opinion 1 can rely on.
am well aware, Mr. President that the l
assistant city attorney gets a small {
salary. but he would not refuse a IA 5
yor to any member of the council. We !
pay him $125 per month. He has 70
defend all our important suits in the
courts and be il said to his credit he
has won every one of chem excepting
tiaosa in which he was assisted" by
mis- chief; those he has lost. We pay q
CITY Attorney Mckay $20S % per
month, and what do we get for it 7