Evening journal., 1915-09-21
TUESDAY SEPT. q. 1915
Downward AND COUNCIL RULES.

VNTILMlNGTON rs city Of approximately 100000
w inhabitants rs City Council is an important
body its proceedings should marked by legislative
decorum. Those things being true think the pub
lie generally will with in the assertion that
the following editorial criticism of President Down
ward by the Morning News IS undeserved
City Counc think should be very careful about
making and enforcing any rule TO limit debate by the
members Il would be quite easy for President Down
ward TO stir up useless iieelng if he should choke off
oratory.
4 may seem to some that there IS unnecessary talk
but TO others e win not seem fo The Copucilmen arc
representative of tioir constituents different parts
OF the city and inclined 10 think mat their
stitucna whole pleased when their representa-
tiros take part I'm public discussions We have mo-
tced a surplus OF debate in Council. On the olhor
hand in some public bodies there is NOT enough OF talk
Too many representatives of the people are disposed
toward silence
There many and varied questions that come be-
iore Council What harm Is there n full and free
e"eusson OF them? How can sucn discussion express
ing the views Of the members be q waste OF time? II
u salu thal me intention Is TO reduce the sessions of
Nounch 10 purely business basis and TO keen Che
takers within hounds This intention might be carried
20 the extreme 10 certainly would be il speakers should
be- muzzlod Cit, Council should not be cut-aud- dried
affair There should be debate and plenty OF H. One
trouble with Wilmington is that there has not been as
mueh discussion OF public affairs by the citizens as
thefe should be. Therefore limiting debates might
easy ooeencfate into abuse greater than uu-
limited debate Councilman McDemots attitude on
this matter OF discussion Is right
iftho editor Of The Morpipg News had read the Rules
otcounci end measured nc action Of President Down
Uafd by those rules he would have discovered that
they squared ia every essential particular For the
enlightenment Of the Morning News VIC call attention
10 ihe following Rules Of Council applicable to the mat
tiers at issue between and the President Of Council
Rule ~ ln partl The president shall preserve or
Der and decorum. He shall decide an questions OF
order, subject 20 an appeal 10 Council
huie A-Nhen a member wishes 20 speak In debate
or deliver petition or communication TO Council he
.ise ~ ms place. and with due respect address
ninsei 70 ne president and Shall not proceed until
reeosn<ed by That official and then shall oonhne him
stated the subject OF such petition or communicates
ash leave TO ptesent the same
~ hue Ai-No member shall speak more than once on
the same general question except 10 expIan un e,ory
member Wishing 10 speak shall have spokeu Nor shall
any member speak more than twice upon any one mat
tei without The permission from the chair nor FOR
LONGER time than five minutes
haie AtN-hfery member who is present when
e-,sNoh s stated from the chair shall vote thereon
nt or unless DE s directly interested in the ouestion
70 aicn case De shall not vote
Rule ANXIN-Thcse rules NAV bo ter,rorori, -
pended by consent of a majority of the inenberei,in 80
No.ne nut snail not be repealed altered or amended
ls proposed ln writing two stated meetings before
the members Of the Council ~
The two rulings made by President Downward and
q which the Morning News complains. are as fol-
lows:
Amy member Of Council rising IN enesl, -,,., .,
. make motion or before making his motion rnsf
saie that ne IS going TO make motion-eiyine the
-'--.i.s-.- iiN .7 li.h u order 10 continue
notion ~ i"'eNueu
z-No member can be- excused from voting ON opos
lions except by majority vote Of CouncilLsee Ruiz
Under The above rulings no member has been do
pryed Of the rights TO debate any question coming b.
fore Council Tho president personally. has nothin
whatever in bis power. except so far as his single
vote goes. to limit debate but merely follows the rule
Council has adopted Council can suspend those rule
and debate any question indefinitely
In effort 10 make a point against President Down
ward, the Morning News has gone on at half-cock
owes him en- apology for attacking him for endeavor
ing 70 make counclmen I've up to their own rules an
for seeking 10 place him in the position OF being
believer in gag rule Il viii be noticed that his rul
Ing as to debate even more liberal than is the genera
rule OF Council II he has erred an il the sid
of sarfulous councilmen. simply compelling them L
conlne their remarks TO the questions al issue