The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-13
Councilmen Carroll, Thinner and
Meier Offer Every Possible
Obstacle.
LONG PARLIAM FIGHT.
Merit System Proposed in Virgins
Bill Added to Sections Proposed
by Public Welfare Com
mission.

under the direction of the NOnpartisan Com
mission for the Public Welfare. was sent
to ensrossmept last evening by the City
Council. with the merit system article of
the Virgins bill attached as Amendment
No. 6.
Several amendments of minor significance
were made in the phraseology. but the only
one OF Importance was that providing that
special tax bills for special improvements
be divided into seven installments.
The session was prolonged until 7:30 o'clock
In the evening. owing to parliamentary OBJ
structions interposed by Mr.. Carroll, who
simultaneously protested that his most ar
dent desire was for immediate action. Mr..
Thinner alternated with Mr.. Carroll In de-
wishing and presenting impediments. and
they generally had the support of President
Meier while in committee OF the whole.
Mr.. Horton. with the assistance Of Mr..
Richards. who was in the chair. practically
forced Mr.. Carroll to recede at every con-
flict. and 1t was probably due to Mr.. Hor-
toms persistency that any progress at all
was made yesterday. Mr.. Carroll even at
tempted. after Mr.. Richards reported for
the Committee of the Whole, to prevent
positive action. Mr.. Horton, however, frus-
trated Mr.. Carroll's efforts by moving for
, a recess to enable Chairman Richards to
complete the report.
CARROLL BEGINS
II CONTEST.
When the bill came up for consideration
IL the regular meeting, Mr.. Horton prompt
ly moved that 1t be sent to engrossment,
receiving n second from Mr.. Richards. Mr..
Virgins moved for the inclusion of his
merit-system article as an additional
amendment. Mr.. Hoffman offering a second.
At this j%uncture Mr.. Carroll demanded that
1tr ~ h. ~ooI - l~~~
This done, Mr.. Carroll moved to proceed
with the regular business. and then go into
the Committee of the Whole. His motion,
seconded by Mr.. Thuner, prevailed.
After Mr.. Richards had taken the chair
the committee. pursuant to a motion made
by Mr.. Carroll, extended to City Counselor
schumacher and ex-Mayor Walbridge the
privilege of participation at their pleasure.
Then Mr.. Caro-. insisted upon the persual
Of the entire bill. section after section.
After a heated discussion. Mr.. Horton
said: II offer a substitute to MI. Carrolrs
motion. to the effect that we dispense with
the section-by-section reading"
This substitute motion gave the first &C.
casion to learn the position of each men,
Der. The vote resulted as follows: Ayes
Cast. Hodges. Hoffman. Horton, Richards
and Virgins. Noes-Carroll. Meier and
Thinner.
On motion of Mr.. Thinner. the committee
recommended the adoption of the amend
ment to the bill providing for street
~sprinkling throughout the year. after which
Mr.. Horton explained Amendment, No. 1.
saying its object is to compel The Mu-
nicipal Assembly to act on bills received
from the Board Of Public improvements
within forty days. Mr.. Walbridge said
the object would be to oblige the Assembly
to go on public record II a bill should be
held up" Messrs. Carroll and Thinner
raiSaA minor nhianffnra h,t h IT, -
approved, Mr.. Carroll not voting.
Amendment No. 2, Mr.. Horton said, his
explanation being confirmed by Mr.. Schnur-
macher. merely proposes to enlarge the
duties of the City Marshal SO as to enable
that official to attend to special tax bills.
The adoption of this amendment was
recommended unanimously. Amendment
No. 8. which authorizes the increase of in
debtedness for the erection of public build
lngs, conditioned upon a two.thirds vote
by the people, which imposes in the Mu-
nic!pal Assembly the power to establish the
rate Of taxation each year and the author
ity to cause the collection of taxes. and
which gives the Comptroller the right to
correct manifest errors in taxation, was
Messrs. Carroll and Thinner
did not vote.
AMENDMENTS
ARE EXPLAINED.
Mr.. Horton defined Amendment No. 4 as
q new proposition relating to the cost of
public improvements. providing for the pay
ment for public Improvements on the In
stallment basis. Mr.. Carroll streruousIy
the probable legality Of section /
this article. but Mr.. Schnurmacher sue |
ceeded in convincing the committee other |
wise. Mr.. Carroll also wanted section 8 to
De stricken out, but his motion Yves tost.
Mr.. CAROLS motion for the expiration
Of an entire paragraph and the substitution
Of a similar clause In the Virgins bill re-
,eived no second. After some parleying
Amendemtn No. 4 was Endorsed. when Mr.. |
Carroll rendered a motion for adjournment. |
Mr.. Horton antagonized him and the COM
nittee sustained him by recommending |
No. s. which provides that the |
Naterworks shall ever remain in control of
he municipality. before arising to report
% the Council.
The Virgins article providing for the |
'reatton of a merit system commission of |
.hree members was added to the bill as
No. 6.
The passage Of the bill by the Municipal
now seems assured. Nine votes
Will be necessary in the Council. 1t is
bought that the following members will
re favorable, and perhaps President Meier
lso: Cast, Hodges, Horton. Hoffman, NV
enburg. Richards. Schnell, Virgins, and
'huner, the latter member apparently being
with the measure as sent to en-
A casual canvass Of the House of
last night shows that several in
Iuential members will vote for the bill.