Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-05-31

ants Raised to Three Hundred Dollars,
an Increase of One Hundred.
By a vote of IL to l, Mr.. Smith being
absent and Mr.. Kane voting in the
negative, City Council, at its meeting
passed the ordinance liz.
creasing the annual salary OF the chief
of the Fire Department from $500 to
$500, with an amendment increasing the
salaries of the assistants from $500 to
$500 each. The amendment was added
to the ordinance between Thursday
night of last week, when it was intro
duced and referred TO the law commit
tee and the opening OF the meeting
Thursday night.
Before, the meeting most Of the mem.
bers assembled in Mayor Fahey's Office
for the purpose Of considering the ordi-
nance, which had been amended SO as
TO increase the salaries of ths assistants
as well as the chief. After it had been
read Chairman Kane Of the finance
committee objected to the amendment,
on the ground that the finance commit
tee had not been consulted about the
amendment. 1t was argued by other
membersstha the law committee had
the right to amend the ordinance, as it
had been referred to that committee
after being read at the meeting last
week. Mr. Kane could not see the
matter in that light and insisted his
objection. He became very emphatic,
as did also other members who took the
opposite view, and the loud talking
could be heard very plainly in Council
chamber. The voices Of President Alex
ander, Mr.. Kane and several Others
could be distinguished. Mr.. Kane finally
left the conference and appeared in
Council chamber with an expression
on his face that indicated that he was
not pleased with what had occurred.
When questioned by a reporter he
talked freely of what had TRANSFERRED.
He said he objected to the amendment
on the ground that it had been added
without consulting the finance com
mittee or all of the members Of the fire
committee. He became more explicit
and said although he was chairman Of
the finance committee and member
of the fire committee, he had not beer
consulted.
Shortly after Mr.. Kane left the room
the other members filed out into Coun
Gil chamber and at about Q O'Clock
President Alexander called the meeting
to order. The law committee made /
favorable report on the ordinance and
at the proper time it was called up b,
Chairman Mousley of the fire commit
tee. who asked that it be given its tbir'
and final reading.
When the amendment had beef
reached Mr.. Kane wanted to knoY VIII,
had signed the ordinance. He was in
formed that it had been signed by tn
law committee, whereupon he wante,
to know whether it had been recon
mended by the FIRE committee. Mr.
Mousley said it had been recommends,
by a majority of the COMMITTEES, Mr.
Pierson, Mr.. Monaghan and himself
Mr.. Alexander said after the ordinanc
had been referred to the law committe
= it was not necessary for it to be az
proved by the fire committee. Mi
Kane asked whether the ordinance wa
in the same shape as when it was re
ferred to the law committee, and
was informed that it had been amende
while it was in the hands of that con
mittee. Mr.. Fisher thought the debat
was out Of order until after the readin
had been finished, and he was su!
tained by the chair.
After the ordinance had been rea
Mr.. Kane said he was going on recor
as opposing it. 1t was introduced"
said, ITO raise the salary of the chi,
500, but by some hook or crook, | Z
not know how, it has been amended
l am a member of the fire commit,
and was not consulted about it. I {
not think it is legal. don't kno
whether there IL any law for my opinic
in this matter, but l am going to fir
Out" After he had finished readir
the vote was taken and all Of the
members present voted inithe affirm
tive except Mr.. Kane.
. Before President Alexander had tin
to announce the result Mr.. Kane ask,
him whether the ordinance was Il
same as when it was introduced. M
Alexander replied that he did n
know, whereupon Mr.. Kane remarke,
Well, you are, knocking out the /
crease OF salary for the chief"
After the meeting several membe
discussed the matter. Mr.. Kane spo
OF refusing to sign the payroll and al
Of an Injunction, on the ground th
the terms Of the newly elected Office
OF the Fire Department should ha
dated from last Monday instead of ne
Monday. He also held that the orc
nance. was illegal, as it had be
amended while it was in the hands
the committee without all of tine parti
interested being consulted.
A large majority of the members
Council contend that the action "
regular and the ordinance is legal q
any effort to combat its provisions W
be resisted. 1t has been referred
Mayor Fahey for his approval. Nesi
all OF the members agree that uno
the law the terms of the newly elect