The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-10-01
CHARTER MUST RULE STIL
STILL IN The AIR
REPUBLICANS BLOCK COUNCILS
ACTIOII IN WHITEHORNE
SUCCESSORSHIP
DEMOCRATS LACKED QUORUM
Republicans Members Act ON Griggs'
Opinion, Which Is Based on
an Old Rule of
Order,

AS predicted in the Globe. the pro-
| posed meeting of the common council
called yesterday afternoon for the pur-
pose Of electing successor to ex-Coun-
| ty Commissioner Whitehorne failed of it's
purpose The Republican members Of
the assembly, acting on the opinion rem
dered by Assistant Corporation Attorney
Griggs, refused to lend their presence 10
the meeting, and in consequence there
was no election.
surprise, however, and one that elic-
tied some decidedly unfavorable comment
from a number of Republicans who had
been posted to watch the proceedings
was the presence of Assemblyman Ben
son, who entered the chamber carrying
travelling case and Immediately answer
ed to the roll call which followed the
opening of the meeting by President
Sch1ffmann. According to the Ahrend
supporters, who were jubilant over his
presence, he had Joined their ranks and
was a pleasing substitute for Alderman
Hunt, who, while in the building ignored
the meeting entirely. Mr. Benson's
presence, added to the Democratic ma
jority, minus Mr.. Hunt, and Alderman
Huber, who was detained at home be-
cause of death in his family, furnished
ten members, but this was not a quorum
and an adjournment had to be taken On
the supposition that some of the Repub-
licans might evince a change of heart.
and show up, recess of fifteen minutes
was taken. but it was devoid of results
Though the legal department held that
a working majority would necessitate
the presence of a majority of each body,
Or TO be exact. five members of the as
sembly and six from the board, the
Democrats who control eleven of the
twenty-one votes refused to entertain the
proposition on the ground that it would
not stand in law.
REFUSE TO ACCEPT GRIGGS RUIZ
ING.
eff such was the CASE said Alderman
Murphy, there never would be an cleo
ton. 1t is against reason and the public
welfare, and would never be entertained
in any court
The particular rule of order on which
the legal department rendered the opin-
ion was drafted in 1891 at the instance
of Alderman Dobner and followed the
adoption of the Bell charter. 1t mas
never been repealed
The action of the Republicans in abb
senting themselves from the meeting was
prompted by a conference held in the
morning, at which all but Assemblyman
Warner and Assemblyman Benson were
present. 1t was decided to stand by the
opinion of the legal department that the
election could only be made by each
body acting separately. Acting on this
they did not consider the call binding.
Assemblyman Benson was out of the
city at the time, but the information
was conveyed that he would attend the
meeting In the afternoon
At the meeting of the council in the
afternoon there were a number of joking
threats made to send out the sergeant
at arms and bring in the missing men,
bers, forcibly if necessary, but they
gave the building wide berth, commit
tee meetings which followed being badly
delayed by their reluctance to appear
until the fact that the coast was clear
was conveyed to them.
1t is practically conceded that the prize
lies between G. J. Weyl and John
Ahrend, but in the minds of many yes
terday's delay has lost them both
ground that they will not likely be able
to regain. A dark horse, the wiseacres
say, will land the position
DR. Schiffmann has not announced
when he will call another meeting. but
It will not be before the latter part of
the week.