The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-05

lis fully competent, if the object for
(which it is called is set out in the call
flor the meeting.
Mayor Waddell said he did not OBJ
Iject to the meeting but he felt that 1t
Twas his duty to state the to
1.-The board. 1t was ne concern of his
land what ever the board wanted to do
IabGut going ahead with the meeting
would be satisfactory to him.
Alderman West moved that the board
proceed with it's business.
Alderman Johnson asked the mayor
Ito rule on the point Of order that he
had raised.
Mayor Waddell ruled that the point
lof order was we'll taken, but If any al
herman wished to appeal from his rul-
ing it was their privilege to do So
Alderman Harriss appealed from the
ruling of the mayor.
On this appeal the ayes M nays
were called, and the board by a vote OF
II to 2, sustained the appeal and over
lruled the mayor. The vote was as fol-
lows: Aye-Aldermen Spencer, Maun-
lder. West, vonGlahn. Harriss, Skinner
land Parker. Nay-Aldermen Johnson
and Bailey.
The mayor announced h vote and
Stated that the mayors ruling had
been overruled, and that now the ques-
Ition required to the ordinance offered
by Alderman Harriss. He had the
lclerk to read the ordinance.
h ayes and nays were ordered to
he called for.
UNCALLED FOR.
Alderman Johnson said he wanted to
remark before the question was put,
that he thought the ordinance offered
by Alderman Harriss was uncalled for.
lit had been the precedent for many
Years for the mayor to be chairman of
any or all of the committees. This was
the precedent when Mr.. Fowler was
mayor, whe Mr.. Fishblate was mayor,
and when DR.. Wright was mayor. I'm
der these administrations there was
never any kick because they were
Ichairmen of the various committees
He said that on Monday night when
Mayor Waddell appointed his commit
tees all the aldermen were present and
none of them objected. He thought the
board ought to go slow in taking away
the powers of the mayor. The citizens
Iof Wilmington nominated him for may
or by a good majority, and he was the
choice of the people. He again declar-
ed the proposed ordinance uncalled for.
IThnra had hoQn a oraot deal of ia IL
about this matter and he had hoped
lit was settled, but after the meeting of
the board last Monday night seven
members of the board held a caucus
at a private house and decided to over
throw the mayors committees. He
Thought as democrats all the aldermen
SHOULD have been invited to the caucus.
When the republicans and niggers were
in power it was customary for all the
democrats on the board to get together
in a caucus, and he thought no aucus
lshould be held by certain members to
the exclusion of Others. Alderman
johnson concluded: 81 say that the
certain way when mayor Waddell was
nominated, and it was wrong to inter-
fere with the present system of ap-
pointing the committees. 1 am oppos-
led to it. 1 protest against it,"
Alderman Harriss said he wished to
remind Alderman Johnson that the
members of the board were also given
good majorities by the people and that
they too had rights which should be
respected. He was elected an alder
man and he intended to be one. 1t was
his opinion that the mayor and alder
men had rights and they were concur
rent.
After Alderman Harriss, the ayes and
nays were called on his proposed ordi-
nance. 1t was adopted by a vote of Z
to 2. The vote was as follows: Ayes
Aldermen Spencer, Maunder, West,
'ker. Nay-Aldermen Johnson and
Bailey.
MAYOR wADDELL SPEAKS HIS
MIND.
Mayor Waddell announced that the
ayes had it and declared the ordinance
adopted. And now I have something
to say" he added, land so that my re-
marks can be understood and there can
be no mistake about what I have to
say 1 have written them out and will
read them" He then res the follow
ing as what it was he had to say:
the Board of Aldermen:
When the whole people of this city
me as their mayor they did it
with a full knowledge of the fact that
it has been the unbroken custom ever
since the organization of the city for
the mayor to appoint the committees
of the board of aldermen, and to be-
come himself the chairman of all or
such of the committees as he might
select, and they expected me to exer-
else that privilege.
For the first time in our history you
undertaken to deny to the mayor
that RIGHT and Won have done this not