The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-31
Councilman Gustave j. IT. Meyer the
Only Member that Voted Against
the Proposition.
HIS ACTION CAUSED SURPRISE
THE MAYOR DESIRED TO TALK
ABOUT CONTRACTION HOSPITAL.
No Amount of Argument Was Able to
Shake Meyers Determinations
Two Ordinances.


courtesy of being heard on a given propo-
sitiOn, the theory of entire separation of
the executive and legislative branches of
the city government being one of the
causes. perhaps; and still less frequently is
such courtesy refused, since it is asked usu-
ally only in emergencies. Because Of the
stubborn negative OF one man, however,
Mayor BookwaIter was refused a hearing
last night the smallpox situation. Gus
tav j. T. Meyer absolutely declined to
give Mr.. Bookwalter the privilege of say
ing a few words. and neither the requests
of the surprised Republicans nor the angry
entreaties of the no less astounded Demo-
Gratis were able TO move him from his
stand. Since unanimous consent of the
members of Council is necessary to allow
anyone to address the body, the mayor of
the city was forced to swallow his embar-
rassment and accept the situation.
The sensation created by Mr.. Meyer arose
out of the introduction of two appropria-
ton ordinances providing sums for the
alienation of the danger of a smallpox
epidemic \ special meeting had been
called by the mayor after personal inter-
views with most of the councilmen and
he had received assurances that the or
l
Democrats and Republicans into his office
in the morning, and with a few exceptions
had found them amenable to reason. He
assured the Democrats that they had moth
ing to fear from an ordinance establish
ing a temporary contagion hospital on the
City Hospital grounds. since the pesthouse
was to be only temporary; and that he him
self was against the idea of permanent
smallpox pavilion within the city limits.
Mr. MOriarity and his followers gave the
mayor to understand that they were will
ing TO reconsider their previous votes. The
ordinances introduced appropriate 1850 FOR
the building of the temporary structure
on the hospital grounds and 1000 to meet
the expenses of the Health Board for quar-
antines and other details.
MAYOR AT COUNCIL.
So interested was Mr.. Bookwalter in the
success of the measures that he appeared
at the Council meeting last night and had
a number of heart-to-heart talks with the
members. With Fred Expert and Ed Sour
bier his missionary work was a failure,
both Republicans refusing to support the
measures. alleging promises TO their con-
stituents before election. With the Demo-
/ Gratis he was more successful, even the
\ hitherto unapproachable Moriarity lending
/ d cohplalsaht ear. Inc ordinances Win
/ communications from the city controller,
/ were introduced in proper form and re-
! ferred to the committee on finance and
! then Councilman Harry Negley precipi-
/ tated totally unexpected furore.
/ Il think" said he, that since the mayor
/ IS here there would be nothing out OF place
1or him to explain to the Council as a
/ whole the significance of the ordinances
i and just what the position of the admins
! tration Is on the temporary pesthOuse
/ question. / move you therefore, that he is
/ given permission by Council To speak,
/ Il second that motion" said Councilman
! Wynne; Il think the mayop should be given
! an opportunity to talk on the matter
! From the Democratic side of the house
! Councilman Wahl nodded a vigorous ac-
| quiescence; Councilman Morarity unbent
enough from his cyclopean dignity to
smiled consent Councilman Shea he of
few words jerked his head in agreement.
All in favor of that motion" said Vice
| President Rhodes, in the formal monotone
| of the usual question, Twill signify their
consent in the ordinary manner" and the
| burst of ayes apparently included all the
! municipal fathers. More TO accord with
/ the rules than to cater TO the demands OF
| the situation, the chair continued with, 'All
| those opposed, in an uninterested manner,
/ as II expecting no denial. There was a
| pause for few seconds and then Council
man Meyer jerked out Il vote no.
The mayor had already risen i'm his seat
I with a smile and with half-formed words
/ on his lips. The majority of the members
| had settled down in their seats prepared
to listen. and had taken firmer teeth
| grip of the cigars which no rules of the
/ Council can abolish. Mr.. Meyers curt
/ syllabIes brought every man straight up
in his chair, with establishment written
Il say" shouted Tom wynne. that's a
shame why on earth do you vote that
Il will give the gentleman an oppor-
tunity of reconsidering his vote" an
nounced the chair. with a glance in Mr..
| Meyers direction.
Il don't want an opportunity. I vote
no. declared Meyer. imperturbaby.
'Oh. look here. said Andrew Vail,
Democrat give the mayor chance,
| Meyer; there are some things he wants
! TO say that / am sure we have not heard. E"
DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR HIM.
Il don't want to hear the mayor. There 5
nothing he can say that 1 care to listen
to-" announced Meyer. with gesture of
defiance
1--WE might as we'll listen, Gus" said
Moriarity, with unwonted amiability.
No 1 tell you. L demand that my vote
be recorded as no." Meyer said.
John Grail, who used to be Meyers bust
ness partner. sprang TO his feet and with
a smile turned to The cause of all the COM
motion.
Merely as a matter of courtesy" he
There's no politics in this" interrupted
Meyer Il insist on voting no
Very WE'LL said the vice president re-
signedly. $50 record the vote" The mayor
sank back in his seat. undecided whether TO
laugh or be annoyed. but finally decided 10
take il as joke. The cOunCilmen were not
so easily Modified and for fifteen minutes
the chamber buZZed with condemnation of
the cOuncilman's unusual stand. The pecul-
lar thing about Meyers opposition is that
he is the only one OF the Democratic coun-
cilmen who voted for the appropria ton of
$500 for the building OF a temporary con-
tagion hospital. Ii seemed a little bit odd
that he should refuse TO hear the MAYOR
when the other Democrats who Were
against the former ordinance were willing
TO grant the courtesy. Meyers refusal cut
short the meeting and a motion for ad-
joufnment. made in a Disguised tone. was
quickly carried.
The new appropriation measures will be
brought up for second reading at the reg
ular meeting next Monday night and the
mayor believes that there is "A chance for
them to pass Expert and Sourbier, Re
publicans, are opposed 10 them, but Mr.
Bookwalter believes that several of the
| Democrats may be brought around.
QUEER Use FOR PEsTHOUSE.
DIR. Edenharter Recalls that a Man
Dried Beans i'm the Old One.