The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-03
THE MEETING LAST NIGH
NEARLY EVERY NEW FEATURE
WAS REJECTED.
A NEW BILL WILL BE DRAfTEO AT ONCE
70 Conform 10 The txpr ssion Of The Meeting
las, Night. Committee Appointed to
Draft and Submit II 10 the
Board Of Aldermen.


A mass meeting of Democratic citi-
zens of Raleigh was held last night in
Metropolitan Hall which discussed and
took action on the bill TO amend the
charter of the city of Raleigh as pre-
pared by the board of aldermen, and
which is now pending in the Legisla-
ture. There were about $50 persons
present, among them many of the most
prominent and influential citizens. The
meeting was called to order by Mayor
Powell, who briefly stated the object of
the meeting. He called Col. Thos. s.
kenan to the chair. who presided
throughout the meeting.
Alderman Drewry stated that the bill
had been prepared by Mr.. Armistead
Jones and the city attorney, III con
formity with the wishes of the boaru
of aldermen, who had given the matter
their most careful thought and had done
the very best they knew how. He con-
sidered the charter a wise one that would
meet the requirements of years TO come.
He stated that the bill had been intro
duced in the Legislature, but it was with
the instructions that nothing be done
towards it's passage until the will Of the
people was thoroughly made known.
There was no disposition on the part
of the board to pass anything which
was Objectionable to the majority of the
Democratic citizens. Mr.. Drewry then
moved that the charter be read section
by section and each be passed upon.
Mr.. J. n Holding, as substitute.
moved TO read only those sections on
which there was a diversity of opinion.
Col. Kenan, the chairman, suggested
that the city attorney read each section,
briefly explaining its provisions and that
when the Objectionable sections were
reached. that these be acted upon. This
course was pursued.
The first section that met opposition
was that of aldermanic representation.
The bill provided that one be elected
from each of the eight precincts of the
city and one alderman at large from
each ward.
Mr.. Josephus Daniels moved that this
section be amended so as TO provide
for two aldermen from each precinct,
making the representation sixteen in
stead of twelve.
Mr.. G.. p. Edwards heartily concurred
in this amendment, stating that the
progress of the city demanded increased
representation. That the present num-
her was not adequate for the needs of
the government.
Mr.. Armistead Jones spoke in de-
Tense of the section as provided in the
bill. He considered that sixteen alder
men would be unwieldly. The matter
had been thoroughly canvassed and it
was thought best to Let the number re-
main as at present. The plan proposed
would give nine Democratic aldermen.
Mr.. w. N. Jones favored Mr.. Dan
iels' motion He said he had been a
member of the board of aldermen when
the board numbered seventeen and that
he did not think it was any harder 70
get q quorum then than it was now with
the twelve members. He honed that
the meeting would decide on sixteen. It
would give better representation. As
it was now n very few men could con-
troll the caucus. 1t was safer to have
a large representation.
Mr.. Daniels thought there would be
difficulty in nominating the aldermen
under the arrangement as pron0sod by
the BILL and that was another objection.
Mr.. Armistead Jones thought there
would be no trouble in making the rom
nations. The number was left the
same because we have tried to stand by
the old landmarks.
Mr.. ALI A. Thompson: Allow me to
correct you; that's just what Won are
not doing; you are not standing by the
~ landmarlys" This statement was
erected with applause. and showed the
temper of the meeting.
Mr.. Jones: 'It was our idea to wipe
out the fusion charter" This was also
greeted with applause. and demonstrate
ed that while they differed on the pro-
posed charter they were good Demo
Gratis.
The vote was then taken and The
amendment offered by Mr.. Daniels was
adopted.
The section relative to creating the
offices of Trial Justice and City Sur
veyor was read.
Mr.. Alf A. Thompson said he did not
see but that the mayor had ample time
TO discharge all the duties required.
There was no need for the additional
office of trial Justice. He did not con-
slider the relieving of the mayor from
irving cases added any dignity to the
office In fact, he believed the mayor
ought to be in close contact with all
the people of the city. He did not see
that any benefit would be derived by
the city. He moved that the clause
providing for these two new officers be
stricken out, and it was adopted with n
whoop.
Mr.. w. n. Jones: "Since the trial
justice has been stricken out the mayor
will get about $4,000 per year and the
city should be entitled to his whole
time" CThe present law requires that
the mayor shall be in his office at least
six hours per day.)
Ex-Mayor Russ spoke up Mt this point.
II want to correct an erroneous impress
sion. Mr.. Jones missed the fees by
about 60 per cent"
Mayor Powell said the fees during
his encumbency had only amounted to
$25 per month.
Mr.. A. A. Thompson moved that the
section relative to the duties of the
MAYOR be stricken out and suhstitufa the