Delaware gazette and state journal., 1897-07-22

citizens were present. After Clerk Nor
risson had read the minutes, which
showed the Intellectual efforts to secure
chairman Of the finance committee,
Mr.. Leary had short whispered COD
yersation with Mr.. O'Neill.
President Leitcb announced that as
there we're no committees to report
Council was open for other matters.
Other matters did not materialize,
however. Mr.. Leary whispered some
thing to Mr.. Smith; Mr.. O'Neill was
calm and quist; MIR! Robertson was
husily writing; Mr.. Zebley chatted
with Mr.. Watson |; Mr.. Fisher and Mr..
Morris famed themselves; Mr.. Oberly
had a few subdued words with Mr..
O'Neill; Mr.. HeRley sat in motiita-
tive posture, and Mr.. Kane and Mr..
Cannon cDnrersed with ex- Councilman
William II. Quinn.
Clerk William Morrison read letter
from William Lawton, president OF the
Board of Trade, suggesting that Coun-
Gil look into the matter of dredging the
Christiana at this time, as tho hydraulic
dredge now at work might be secured
on favorable terms. On motion of Mr..
Leary the letter WAS received and fled.
Another whispering time ensued.
Mr.. Oberly had another talk with Mr.,
O'Neiil. Mr.. Bayiis whispered TO Mr..
Leary and Mr.. Kane to Mr.. Smith.
Most of the Republicans simply looksd
on, although Mr.. Robertson continued
writing. After Mr.. Oberly had re-
turned to his seat aftnr the talk with
Mr.. O'Neill, Mr.. Robertson addressed
the chair, saying that there we're no
committees, and as there was much
business, be moved that the chairman
have read by the clerk the business
that was to be transacted at the meet
ing. This motion was seconded. After
MIR. Laary had spoken to Mr.. O'Neill
again, Mr.. Oberly Joining in the whis-
pered conference, President Leitch an
uounced the reading of the city officers
reports. and Clark MORRISON proceeded
to read that OF City Treasurer Curry,
which showed the following figures
Balance in Union National Bank to ac-
couut Of current expenses, S54, 9S7. 10 /;
special fund for park purposes for the
purchase of park landl, s42, 1l5. 63 /;
special fund for crematory, SIS, 000
After the report ha1 been read Mr..
Smith Of thu Eleventh ward declared (:
~ don't think that this Council has
any right to transaot any business until
the committees are appointed-no right
to do business OF any kind.
Mr.. Robertson held that Council
must read the report, for the law says
that the city treasurer and city auditor
shall report TO Council.
But Mr.. Smith held that the report
ought to go before the finance commit.
tee, in order that that committee might
see IL it was correct
MIR. Leary moved that the report be
laid on the table until the finance com
mittee was appointed. This motion
was carried.
President Leitch then asked the
pleasure of Council with the other re
| ports on the Clerks table, and 10 re-
sponse TO question from Mr.. Robert
son announced that the city auditor q
report was there whereupon Mr.. Rob.
ertson moved that it he read. This
motion prevailed. In addition to veri-
flying The city treasurer's figures, the
auditor reported having audited the az
counts OF Chiet OF Police Dolan, show
ing dog tax collections in June OF
| S5l.70; meals of prisoners. Sl5. 30; sale
of old bicycle, $40; sale OF pawn
brokers' books, SlU.50 total So7. 90 and
a balance in the contingent fund OF
S71.55.
Mr. Leary moved to lay tho report on
the table, and the motion was adopted.
Mr.. Robertson stated with emphasis
that the reports OF the treasurer and
city auditor never go before the finance
committee aud he defied the gentleman
from the Eleventh ward tMr. Smith J
to show any casa where they had gone
before the committee He declared
NES.t H. -, L..
by the committee, and he ridiculed the
idea OF the committee finding out
whether or not they were correct.
On this point he inquired if the COM
mittee went over to the city treasurer
and city auditors offices for week 10
see il the figures were correct. In re.
ply Mr.. Smith declared that all these
reports have to come through the hands
of the chairman of the finance commit
tee, and it was no business of Council
what the committee did about it.
Mr.. Leary stated that he did NOT
make the motion for the purpose of OBJ
structiug the business of the city, but
thought such action for the best until
the committees could be completely or
ganized.
Mr. Robertson, however. objected to
that there was no appearance Of getting
organized. Council bad been meeting
nearly every night for a week, and how
| was II TO he known but that tbs failure
to organize would continue. He de-
clared that thoee on his side of the
house were there for business.
| At this point Mr.. O. Neil took hand
in the debate and expressed the opin-
ion that Council was now In the com
mittee of the whole, Council having
thus delegated business. He agresd
with MIR. Robertson that the financial
reports are always filed ana never re-
| ferred to any committee. The former
| president, in order to expedite business.
has always referred them las usual -
The speaker took il that Council was
now in the committee of ths whole,
which was the master, the other com
mittees being simply the creatures. He
thought ii would be incorrect to lay
tho report over.
The ayes and nays were called on the
motion to lay on the table, aud Mr.
O'Nuill voting with the Republicans,
against it, and the other Democrats vot-
| ing for it, the motion was lost by a vote
of to 6, Mr.. O'Neill had refused to
go with tho other Democrats.
Mr.. Robertson moved that the report
take tha usual course, but the president
ruled that it would do so without a
motion.
Mr.. Iieary asked IL there wero any
other reports to he read. There we're
none. He then moved that as there
was no other business, Council adj
iuurp, This motion was seconded by
Mr. Smith and carried without an op-
posing vote.