The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-09

The first meeting Of the new common
council was held last night and after
a great deal of controversy as to the
proper method of procedure a new ap-
preparation ordinance was started on
its passage.
An appropriation ordinance introduce
ed by Mr. Oliver Republican, was re-
jected by the Democratic majority be-
cause the measure contained the select
council amendments which caused the
recent deadlock. The ordinance that
was received was presented by Mr..
Sweeney, Democrat. 1t was the recent
ordinance in every particular contain
ing the common council amendments.
dr. Oliver accompanied his introduce
tion OF his ordinance with a motion that
the meeting so into a committee of the
whole and consider it.
The measure was tabled on motion of
Mr.. Sweeney who then introduced a
counterpart of the ole appropriation
ordinance as it appeared before select
council had nullifed the amendments
of the lower branch. He moved that
the ordinance be referred to a special
committee which should report forth
with.
Then began a debate Of some dura-
ton as to the legality of referring the
ordinance to any but n regular csti-
mates committee. This contingency
was raised because of the fact that
President Nealis has not appointed his
standing committees. In raising the
point 1t was apparent that neither the
Democrats nor the Republicans sought
for delay. They disagreed as to meth
cd.
CAUTION URGED.
Captain Moir and Mr.. Kellar, Repub~
leans, urged caution. Councils, they
argued should be sure of proper and
legal routine. The law provided that
the ordinance should be referred to only
a regular and standing estimates COM
mittee.
President Nealis relegated the chair
for a time to Mr.. Zcidler and then
proceeded, seconded by Mr.. Grier, in the
contention that the rules of the body
provided that ordinances might be re-
ferred to committee and IL reported
favorable should be printed for the
perusal of members. The rules did not
make it imperative, they claimed, that
any particular committee should be Sc
lected.
captain NOlI luOleu lne dtl VI 1909
which in its application to an appro-
priatiOn ordinance on its passage just
previous to the ending of an old coun-
cilmaric body, says that the measure
shall be referred to a standing esti-
mates committee.
Mr.. Sweeney's motion prevailed and
President Nealis named Messrs. Grier,
Moir, Giroy, Sheridan and oliver as
the special committee. They quickly
reported the ordinance favorably.
There being no objections, it was order
ed printed.
The first sign to indicate that Presi
dent Nealis will place a Democratic
majority on all the committees was
evidenced by an adjournment to next
Friday night That will be one night
following select councils stated meet
ing, when President Sanderson might
name his committees and thus give the
president of the lower branch an OPP
| portunity to outline his committees
and thus block any legislation intro
| duced by Republican members. 1t was
| a part of an agreement that If Mr.
| Nealis was given Republican support
| for the presidency he would give the
| latter a majority on certain commit
| tees.
MR.. WENZEL'S MOTION.
When Mr.. Wenzel moved to adjourn
| to Thursday night Mr.. Regan offered
| an amendment that the adjournment
be to Friday night and the amendment
| was carried.
A letter from the secretary of the
board of health containing that body's
| opinion that the building of Phoenix
| Chemical company was In an unsani-
tary condition, was referred to a spe-
cial committee, Messrs. Oliver, Regan
and Flanaghan.
A resolution was presented by Mr..
| Gilroy and adopted directing the city
| engineer to prepare plans and an esti-
mate of cost for a lateral sewer on
| Green's lane, Monsey avenue and ad-
| jacent territory in the Seventh ward.
Only a very few resolutions and
| those of a minor nature were intro
duced before adjournment.