New-York tribune., 1896-05-15
A DEADLOCK IN BALTIMORE.
THE FIGHT BETWEEN MAYOR AND
COUNCIL REACHES A CRISIS.
Mr.. HOOPER REFUSES TO SIGN THE TAX LEVY
AND THE CITY WILL he TEMPORARILY
LEFT ALMOST wiTHOl'T REVENUE
ONE MAN AND A WOMAN.

MR. HOOPER REFUSES TO SIGN THE TAX LEVY
AND THE CITY WILL BE TEMPORARILY
LEFT ALMOST WITHOUT REVENUE
Baltimore May 14-The fight between the city
Council and Mayor Hooper. which began early
in the year wl'h tho rejection OF most of the
Mayors appointments. reached crisis tonight.
Unless Mayor Hooper's conception OF the la% can
be shown to be wrong. there will be no collector
Of city taxes after midnight tonight untl some
agreement is reached between the contestants.
To strengthen his position the Mayor has re-
fused to sign the 1896 tax levy, and the city,
therefore. will be- temporarily at least. deprived
Of all revenue for the support OF the municipal
government excepting the small returns from
LICENCES end taxes in arrears which vii! be
wholly inadequate to meet current expenses.
This unprecedented condition had It's origin
in the Introduction Of Mr.. Hoopers reform policy.
Although elected the Republican ticket. the
Mayor felt under obligations 70 thousands Of In
dependent Democratic voters who helped to over
throw thu German Rasin combination. and In
maklng his appointments he recognized the
services of his Democratic friends by appointing
a few 10 office.
The overwhelmingly Republican City Council
objected to any such distribution OF the spoils
and the deadlock has grown apace. The Coun-
crnen in addition 70 turning down the Mayors s.
appointments attempted TO defeat him by pass
Ing an ordinance which took away the power OF
appointment and put II entirely In the hands OF
the Council. The Council then nominated Colonel
Creager for city collector. the richest prize In
its gift. Mayer Hooper maintained that the
action Of the Council was Illegal. and refused 10
swear In Creager or approve his bond. The case
ia now IN the courts, and decision cannot rea-
sonably be expected for six months
According TO Mayor Hooper's understanding
OF the law. tho present city Tax Collector can
not. unless he is reappointed. collect any part
of the 1896 levy and the Mayor therefore. called
a special meeting Of the City Council tonight
and laid the matter before the members. In
doing so he said that unless some action was
at once taken on his appointment OF Johh r.
Parlett there would be vacancy In the ONCE
of CITY Tax Collector. so far the current levy
was concerned lie also pointed out the dire
consequences OF such a condition OF anairs.
The CITY Council members held n caucus De-
fore the evening session. and determined 10
continue the fight. let the consequences pe wha'
they may. In accordance with that declsion'
they tonight listened perfunctorily 10 the reau
ing Of the Mayors message ana theh auJoui"'u
without even discussing the situation
Meantime, owing to the hght. seVeiai nun ~,
dred Democrats continue to draw salarIes III
offices they expected to relinquish last Jahu"I!'
and the Republican party workers are III re-
ceipt OF neither salary nor glory. What the re-
suit Of to-nights action Will be on the CITY y
finances remains to be seem