Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-09-17
council PRESIDENT
BANS IALAFESTS
Solons Get Tip to Say Some
thing Hereafter or Leave
Tongues at Home
MAYBE THEY WILL;
MAYBE THEY WON'T

Sessions of City Council which have
been used at times as talkfests will
hereafter be conducted along strict
parliamentary rules, talk for talks
sake heing tabooed. Word 70 this Ell
feet went out last night when Presi-
dent of Council Henry Q. Downward,
reading FROM his parliamentary rules,
said that hereafter, when a member
wishes to speak, he must at once state
his motion and unless he has a mo-
ton he will not be allowed to speak.
The chair ruled that Council oratory
is not to be INDUCED in hereafter un-
less it is necessary. The presidents
idea of conducting a Council session
was not shared by the Councilmen,
however, for in a few minutes there
was a peifect talkfest on the hoor'
A motion to adjourn brought silence.
Before the motion to adjourn was
carried however. Councilman McDer-
D6rmott said that while Council was
not a public forum he thought it a
proper place for representatives OF the
people to express their views. Coun-
Gilman Grantland said that at a near
ing or a public conference any mem
Der has a right to talk himself blue
in the face if he so desired. Presi-
dent Downward insisted that the rules
OF Council forbid this and Councilman
McGOldrick asked for a copy OF the
rules. saying that he had never seen
a copy of the rules although he had
served two terms in Council.
While speaking on this subject
Councilman McGoldrick made a mo-
ton that all the Council members be
supplied with a copy of the rules and
Councilman Draper, or the finance
committee, explained that rules were
now being prepared.
Another drastic ruling made last
night by President Downward was
that hereafter all members must vote
On all questions, except when ma
forty of the members excuse the
member from not voting.
II is thought that with the enforce
unent of the ruling relative to oratory'
Council will devote its time to busl-
ness sessions ana those who have ora
torical aspirations will have tv keep
within the rules of thai body.
The talkfest question bobbed up
when Councilman McGOldrick com
plained of the stencil coming from
sewer inlets at Second and Adams
streets. These doors, he said, were
sickening and he moved that the sub
ject be referred to the public health
committee of Council to report back
to Council. This motion was carried
after which President Downward Is
sued his Instructions.
The school teachers committee and
their attorney, William f. Kurtz, were
in the Council chamber last evening
evidently prepared to continue their
fight for the S13.10 they claim is due
them for an increase in salary, but
which is in dispute, but Mr.. Down
ward informed Mr.. Kurtz thai II
would not be necessary for the wo
men to remain last night, as Council
was not going to take up the question
The city solicitor has been asked toI
an opinion relative to the matter, and
until this isareceived Council will not
act.
A request from the Rev. w. F. Cork
ran for a refund of taxes paid on the
house atNo. sos Washington street
which is church property, was refer
red to the finance committee.
Oil Inspector Cornell reported thai
during the past year he has collected
S2,310OS in fees. The balance IN pam
was reported to be S629, l25.l4.