The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-03-11
nALTrMoRE's mUNIcIpAA MupDLE
Ihc Council Takes From the Mayor
Practically All of Ills Power.

Baltimore. March 10.-A most remark
able condition of aTairsEuniuue. If not
unprecedented In the municipal history
OF this country-is presented in Balti-
more's City Hail. The revolutionary ac-
lion OF the City Council last night in TAX
ing from the Mayor practically all his
power ana overturning the machinery of
the city government. has caused chaos
ana confusion and excited citizens as no
other movement has done for many
years.
The ordinances passed by the Council
iast night take away the mayors power
OF appointing all salaried officers Of the
city government, and leave him only
the power to name the members Of homo
rary municipal boards.
The thought that there were eighty
four OF his nominations hung up; that
possibly not one of the men named
would get into Office, and some of his
best personal friends were on the list,
ana that there are some LOO Democratic
holu-oVers drawing salaries from the
CITY Treasurer, had depressing effect
on Mayor Hooper as he looked over the
situation to-day.
Public sentiment as to the merits
OF the light between the Mayor and CITY
Council is divided. The press of the
city Is almost unanimous in it's SUP
port OF the reform ideas OF the Mayor
He justiiies his actions by the assertion
that although he headed the Republican n
ticket last fall. he was elected on a re-
, ,o'nh PLATFORM: that the Independent
democrats aided materially I'm clect;up
me Republican ticket and defea ting tho
democratic ring, and that lie therefore
insisted upon selecting city officials with
out regard to politics. He struck n snoy
with h.J first batch OF nominations and
mas been on the same snag ever since.
The city Republican Coi,nclnen con
n Nn
ior patronage and now that they have.
absolute control of the city govern
ment. they want all the Dlums.
NO relief can be expected from the
LeEislature. The bin introduced in tile
Senate at Annapolis by President Brucr,
giving TO the Mayor of Baltimore ahso,
lute power by taking from the CIV
Council its coniirma ton prerowotivc.,
ana which passed the Senate by an al
most unanimous vote. was killed in
the House to-day. Chairman Ford or
the Baltimore city delegation. very
pronounced anti-Hooper man was or
dered to report the bill which he did
,, w,th motion TO lay 1t upcn the table
rms was defeated by the close vote
of Al To 80
Mr.. Ford then moved that further ac-
tioh on the subject be delaycd until
April 3d. The Speaker explained thot
thc mention was but three days before
tHe Legislature would adjourn sine die
ana that the motion was equivalent To
lhaeilnite postponement.
There were some surprising char
from the previous vote as the roll call
proceeded. 1t resulted in the adoption
OF tie motion-44 years to lS nays. or
the IS negatives. II were Democrats.
Governor I<owndes and other leaders
OF the Republican party are very much
worked up over the condition of affairs
1T is dcplorable." His Exccllcncy cN-
claimed. when the vote in the House
was conveyed to him. ut Is very unror-
tunate for the people and very unfortu-
nate for the party. think that all
such revolutionary mea sures by the
city Council should be stopped by the
Legislature and while | do not thinI,
the Mayor should have the right to nbso-
lutte appointment, still think it should
he in his hands, subject TO the power
OF confirmation. Now that 1t is settled
the Legislature will do nothing toward
supporting reform measures, Mayor
Hooper will carry the fight into the
courts and 1t will not be concluded with
I'm two months. In the meantime. the
Democratic ofiicer-holdcrs who expect :
ed to be turned out some time ago. will
receive several months more salary than
they hoped for"