Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-01-30
COUNCIL ORGANIZED
WITH AID OF MINORITY.
AND THE REPUBLICANS CONDUCTED
THE PROCEEDINGS IN A HIGH.
HANDED MANNER.
BIG CROWD OF SPECTATORS
IN THE LOBBY WAS UNRESTRAINED
IN DEMONSTRATIONS OF :
DIsAPPROVAL.
THE GANG BOsSED THE JOB

THE GANG BOSSED THE JOB
From Positions Beside the Throne.
Every Advantage Was Taken of
the Predieament in Which the
Illness of Mr.. ki1leen Placed the
Minority Side-The S~trategists
Managed the AHair-The Newly
Elected City Ulcers Were sworn
in, and Sergeant Ritz's Appointees
Took the Oath of Qfice-Proceed-
ings of the Meeting in Detail.
After three Intellectual efforts to get
a quorum in the Second Branch of
Council, the Democratic members ap-
peared last night, and the body tran
sacted considerable business. All the
newly elected officers were sworn IN
and the oath was administered to the
policemen appointed by Sergeant Ritz.
The Democratic members had a short
conference early in the evening, and
decided to defer to the popular clanlor
for Council to organize and proceed
to business. The Republican members
took every partisan advantage of the
situation, and refused to accede to a
single proposition in the demand made
by the Democrats.
The Democratic members might
have prolonged the deadlock until
MI. Killeen was sufficiently recovered
to attend the meeting, but it was re-
allied that the public is more concern
ed in the transaction of business than
in sparring for political advantage,
and it was in this view of the matter
that the decision was reached to no
longer prevent the organization of the
body.
After the Democratic members had
determined to take the oath of office,
a message was received from the Re
publican side, serving notice that I'M
less the Democrats met last night
they would take a recess for two
weeks. This threat was made for the
evident purpose of embarrassing City
Sergeant John S. Ritz.
There was a big lobby. The space
behind the railing was crowded and
there were nc vacant seats in the gal
leries of either branch. The specta-
tors were not restrained in their dem
onstrations of approval or di~Sapproval,
and gave rent to their feelings in
much the same manner as they might
while listening to a stump speech.
Exhibition of Pa%rtisansnip.
The opportunities for the crowd
were by no means few. 1t appeared
to be made up largely of friends OF
Sergeant John S. Ritz. Such an exhi-
bition Of partisanship has seldom been
witnessed, even in the chambers Of
Council. The Democrats expected no
consideration, but were totally unpre-
pared for the discourteous treatment
which they received throughout the
proceedings.
The Republican bosses managed the
show, and it was a rip-roaring farce,
that would have excited the risibilit-
les of the galleries if it did not hap
pen to be such a serious business. J.
P. Maxwell manipulated the presiding
officer end, and the Board of Strategy
pulled the strings on the floor. 1t was
a most beautiful and harmonious
arrangement, and It worked like a
charm.
The course of procedure was
thing after this fashion: First, a con-
ference between Maxwell and the
Strategists. Then one of the floor
strategists put a bug in the ear of a
minority member. Then a motion.
Maxwell (sotto voice)-"Are there
any remarks?"
President Hill Qouder)-''Are there
any remarks?"
Maxwell (sotto voice)-"Au in favor
of the motion will say aye"
President Hill Oouder)-'AH in IA
vor of the motion will say aye"
Then the noes are demanded. Dem
ocrats ask for a division or a roll call.
President Hill awaits his cue. Demo-
Gratis are ignored.
Maxwell (soto voice)-"The ayes
have it"
President Hill Qouder)-"The ayes
have it."
Then protests from the Democrats.
Maxwell (whisper)-"Too late.
You've given your decision"
President Hill-"You're too late.
I've decided the mction."
The Lobby Jeered
decisions which a novice in parliament
tary procedure could recognize as
palpably unfair.
If a motion came from the Demo-
cratic side it wa a subject of consul
tation by the Board of Strategy, while