Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-09-09
TEMPORARY OFFICERS CHOSEN
Result of Thursdays Meeting
of the City Council.
SESSION WAS VERY INTERESTING
Was Enlivened by a Deluge of
Motions.
Opinion Submitted by City Solicitor, stat
ing That Offices Were vacant-wiliam r.
Morrison and John RYAN, respectively,
Elected Clerk aud BailiT Fro Tenn.

A large and Interested gathering Of
spectators was present when City Coun-
oil was called to order by President
Leitch Thursday night The spectators
expected an interesting session and
they were not at all disappointed, as
for time some OF the members hardly
knew where they stood so thick aud
fest did motions pile
The trouble began when President
Leitch called the bdoy to order anu an
hounced that as Council was without
clerk IL would be in order to select
some one to act as clerk pro tom. At
this juncture W. p. MORRISON and John
Ryan, who bad been in the room of the
clerk of Council. walked into Council
ehamber and took their usual places.
After short delay Mr. Leary called
for the regular order of business.
President Leitch again declared that
ss Council had no clerk it would be in
order to select come one to act in that
capacity. He had an opinion from City
Solicitor Conrad bearing on the subject
which he would read.
Mr.. LeaIy again objected and called
or the regular order of business. Under
che rules governing Council he said,
soothing out OF the regular order of
business could De done unless there
was a suspension Of the rules.
Mr.. Robertson desired the gentleman
from the Third ward to read the rule,
but Mr.. Leary declined to do so, de.
claring that the clerk OF Council was
the proper person to read the rules.
Mr.. Fisher moved that the rules be
suspended on which motion the ayes
and nays were called, and when Mr..
Leary's name was called he asked to be
excused from voting.
On a motion TO excuse Mr.. Leary
from voting the ayes and NAYS were
again called and on this vote Mr..
Smith asked TO be excused
This motion was about to be put,
when Mr.. Robertson arose and made
the point that the motion was out oil
order and declared it to be an amend
ment to an amendment to the original
motion.
Here President Leitch declared the
whole discussion out of order aud de
clared the election of clerk pro ten
rs the order OF business.
Mr.. Leary then arose and asked
President Lsitch il he did not receive
check signed by Clerk Morrison
Mr.. Leitch replied in the Affirmative
Asked il he noticed the date on thu
check he declined to answer.
Then MIR. Robertson got into the dis
cuesion and asked if President LeitGl
had signed those checks. He replied
that he had. Mr. Robertson desired Il
know If President Leitch had signet
them before or after Clerk MORRISON
This question Mr.. Leitch replied to Il
an evasive manner.
Here Mr.. O'Neill arose and desiret
to know The object OF all this question
ing. lie was opposed TO blocking tn
wheels of government Some time age
be said. it was certain old man fror
the First ward who was acting as a
ohstructionist. At that time he wa
abused and blackguarded in ever
manner possible by certain member
aided by a pickayune newspaper presl
Now the very men who accused hiI
of using such tactics were interferin
with the regular work of Council. II
did not see any sense in the actions
certain members. He thought Counc
should have clerk pro TEN and move
that Mr.. Morrison act in this capacit.
which motion prevailed.
Bailitf Ryan was also selected to al
as baiiif pro tenn.
This disposed of, matters Of a routir
nature we're taken up and quick
passed upon.
Later, on motion of Mr.. Fisher II
oplniou OF City Solicitor Conrad r
garding the city offices TO be filled
Cornell was read. 1t was as follows
To the Hon. charles NJ. Leitch, Preside
of the Council of Wilmington.
Dear Sir: Replying to vour inquiry
TINS GATE | would say, that by the chart
OF the city o. wilmington as Amended
the ACT OF Marcl Isl, 1851, ana May Z
1888, ~ Is maze the dnty 81 me council
the tnlru stated meeting IN the month
july IN the year iNh5' ana olennlalIy thg
atter, 10 eject by ballot q Guy clerk, 4 9Hli
OF SonhGll, an inspector q olis ana iini'
cierk OF the Iharket' Guy auu!tur elei
anu Guy treasurer c'erk' u IS pfoNid
further oV section 81 q the chnFter that
As regards me auditor' the charter PROVE
tha1 hls term OF once shall commence
me nrsI guy q August neAt ensuing
election, and ne shall continue IN Office
holu once uhtli ms successor y guy gua
Term of ali The nther oltiicls ,,o M,
above. shall be for two wears from tic Il
day Of August next ensuing their electi,
After consideration. am convinced thai
the Council should iall toeleet city audi
a, tne st1ttu uleeihe prpSiulhS i"r 81
lime ~ MIA nfica ,,,ti III src "u, =
regularly elected and his acts mil
successor was regularly elected aid IN.
fed. would be valid and legal but ~,
CARDS all the other offices above mention
the terms Of the present occupants %n
gnqussi ION IeTiliiiia,e n XIV thitty H
wauId not bod over mil sncac.s i,,s q,
elected. but their places womb become
cant on the Termination Of the thirty