The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-07-09
COUNCILMEN In A TILL.
Considerable Bitterness Displayed b.
cause OF the Sayers-Lewis Contest
Case - Democrats Make
=, aBlunder.

City Coun cll's session last evening was
marked by political tilt, which has ssl.
| dom had an equal 1t was the outcome of
motion by henry X. Smith that Tues
day next be fixed as dato for hearing
testimony In the contest OF James Kane,
vs.. Thomas S. Lewis. Before the vote
could be called on the motion Mr.. Robert-s
son Of the Fifth ward arose and said from
what he could learn from the law. me
Eleventh ward member was too late with
his motion and backed up bis point Dy
reading the law which says that the dApb3
of the hearing of contest shall be fxedAs
the time notice Of contest Is llled
AS this had mol been tono Mr. Robertson
| said all right to o contest had been forfsitr
ed. Then he remarked that the mere
matter Of man not having his properly
recorded does not disqualify him from
holding his office" The momber contin-s
rej on remarks regarding the contest.
whereupon Mr.. Smith called for point Of
| order which the chair recognised. But ME-
| Robertson was excited and again launclea
into the discussion whereupon Mr.. Smith
insisted ON his point and the chair again
| called the member to order.
TIe mem ber from tho Fifth ward then
moved that the contest be laid over for ona
week and the opinion OF the city solicitor
10 secured on tie point Of law which wa5
raised.
This motion took precedence aud when
1t was nut Mr.. Smith called for yea aud
!nay vote The roll was called and Mr..
Robertson's motion to postpone was DO.
| teated by strict party vote. ,S
Mr.. Smiths motion to fix next Tuesday
as the day for the hearing was in oIdsns'
and Mr. Robertson asked for tbe roll cal.
| This motion was carried by Il party vote 0f
| 2 to land sir. Smith moved that Tho clerk
| be instructed to issue summons for wilt
| nesses on both sides. This was also car
ried, but Mr.. Robertson's motion 10 allow
each sido counsel was defeated, the roll
| also being called on this.
The bill of tho municipal commission
| for $2374. 80 for services rendered, together
With a com munioation from John B. Ros-
| sell secretary Of the commission were re-,
ceived and upon motion Of Mr.. Smith weroN
referred The communication called tho
attention Of council to the action OF the
| last council and also the act of the Legisla-
ture providing for the payment OF the
bill, "
The Water Witch Fire Company invited
the body by communication, to attend Cha
housing OF the Water Witch combinution
apparatus on July IL, which was accepted.
That tho Democratic members OF Tho
body are not entirely familiar with laws
relating to Councils work, was evidenced
by the fact that u motion to adjourn tho
session was made bofore tho regular conl-
mittees were elected. The motion was
made by Mr.. Smith but before it was sec.
ondsl Mr.. Robertson called tho attention
Of the body to the law which says COM
mIttees shall be elected at the second regus
lar meeting of the body. Then MIR Leary mo
toned to take recess until Friday night. y
This put tho Democrats lin hole,' as
Mr., Robertson called attention to the fact
that Mr. Smiths motion 90 adjourn took
precedence, and oil the Democrats could
do was to defeat one of their own motions
after which they adopted the one made BY
Mr.. Leary, and Council will meotagala
tonight. 40