Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-06-22

Board Of Civil Authority 30 Votes
Thursday Night.
Mayor Burke IN q Belligerent Mood
Refuses Attorney Peck q Heariug
but the hoard Votes 70 Hear
Him-N1asOns Leave the
Clerks Office.

At meeting of the board OF civil al.
thority. characterized by hot words, IT
was voted Thursday night to sustain the
action of the board of assessors in placing
the Masonic Temple in the list OF taxable
property for the sum Of $50, 900. This docs
not end the matter. however, as tho ques-
ton will without doubt be taken to the
courts for final decision.
When the board was called to order by
Mayor Burke all the members were pres
tnt. 1t was moved by Alderman Morgan
that the resolution offered by Alderman
Taft at the last meeting. providing that
the appeal of the trustees of the Grand
Lodge. F. d a. NJ, be sustained and that
the Temple he not taxed. be adopted.
Mayor Burke offered as an amendment
another resolution providing that the as
SCISSORS he upheld and that the Temple
br taxed.
Alderman Taft argued that the r,so-
luton was not an amendment. and that il
had nothing TO do with the resolution
Offered by him. This discussion was
continued and became heated toward
the close. Attorney II. s. Peck, who ap-
peared for the trustees, asked leave to
speak and the mayor became very much
with his gavel. He shouted at Attorney
Feck and told him that he could not
have a further hearing as the board had
all of his talk they wanted Attorney
Peck then appealed to the board for
permission to address them. In the
course Of his remarks he said he was
entitled to free speech. This caused the
mayor to rap IN the table again and say
that he had resented such words and
considered them an insult.
Alderman Courtney said he wanted the
matter settled without further comment
He thought hearing enough had been
given to the representative of the trus-
tees.
Alderman Taft moved that Attorney
Peck he heard. Alderman Meagher
thought he should have five minutes in
which to talk. Mr.. Peck did not wish
to be limited but said he would not lie
tain the board any length of time A
yea and nay vote being called for on
Alderman Taft's motion the result was
as follows:
Voting yes-Aldcrmcn Coffey, Court
ney. Gcrmain, Morgan. Parker, Reeves,
Meagher, Stiles and Taft.
Voting no-Alderman Willard and
Mayor Burke
This gave Mr.. Peck the right to speak
and he stated his case in few words
lie started in by saying: THE mayor
not being Mason" He got no further
before being interrupted by the mayor
who said:
II resent that. BE n gentleman"
Continuing, Mr.. Peck asked the mem
bers II they thought it was best to in
volve the city in law suit. This caused
the mayor to say that the law suit was
not under discussion and that MIR. Peck
must confine himself to the subject. In
closing Mr.. Peck said all the trustees
wanted was for the board to do to them
as they would be done by. Mayor Burke
replied that there was only one rule to
apply. the legal one. not the golden rule,
During the discussion the representa-
tivcs of the grand lodge. Grand Master
w. r. Ranger, Past Grand Master o. w.
Daley. G. w. Wing and Grand Junior
Warden T. c. Benton became disguised
with the stand taken by the mayor and
Withdrew from the room calling upon At
torncy Peck to accompany them, and he
soon followed
When the question on the amendment
was called for Alderman Taft asked to
sec the resolution offered by Mayor
Burke. The mayor started to read it bu.
was interrupted by Alderman Taft, who
said: Let me see the resolution"
This caused the mayor to say:
you can be gentleman about II. You
can at least say please as the children
arc taught to-"
With that he handed the document to
Alderman Taft.
After some discussion the mayor with
drew his resolution and offered an amend