Evening journal., 1916-03-24
COUNCILMAN Wants
TO TALK. Heads OF"
President Downward Objects
Therefore SolonS May
Change Rules
CIVICS STUDENTS
HEAR DEBATES

Seventy-sevon students Of the Will
mington High School, members or
the Civics Glass. who attended City
Councils session last night with Miss
Elisabeth Carlisle. were amused when
members of Council debated the
right Of President Downward to
prevent a Council member from
speaking unless the member had "A
motion TO make. Several weeks ago
such a ruling was made by President
Downward and last night when the
president was informed by Council
man Grantland that he was out OF
order in addressing the body on any
subject while presiding i'm the chair.
President Downward replied that he
was a privileged character and could
address Council on any subject
The question OF the rights Of Coun-
cilmen to discuss public questions
has stirred up that body, and il
was evident last night that the
members did not take kindly to
President Downward's Interpretation
OF parliamentary rules. Councilman
Joseph L. McDermott. who had been
declared out OF order during the ses-
sion, said that Council sometime ago
had decided TO formulate rules 10
govern that body and he desired 10
know what had become Of them.
Councilman McDermott was not sat
isfed with the call to order from
President Downward and he appeal
ed, but the appeal was not sec
onded
President Downward then said he
did not desire TO gag anyone in Coun-
Gil. but he would have to call a men,
Der out Of order when he was out OF
order. He said there should be a
rule allowing a member to speak on
a subject when he had no motion ia
make It was then that Councilman
Grantland called the president TO or
der.
Councilman Kane then asked for the
privilege Of the floor. President
Downward said he would be out OF or
der il he had no motion to make. Mr.
Kane said he intended to make a mo-
ton, and then remarked that he wished
10 compliment the newspapers "ir
seeing the light" because no criti-
cism had been made by them over
Council authorizing an extraordinary
appropriation last Thursday night
This act. he said, would have meant
a Jail Otfense some years ago. Mr.
Kane then took his seat. saying he
had changed his mind about mskine
any motion. President Downward
promptly ruled him out OF order.
Members Of Council contend tha
they should be allowed to speak OF
any subject when no other matters
are before that body.
No Gag Rule Desired.
President Downward this morninl
said he did not desire to throttle de
bate In Council. but he did want TIT
members 10 restrict discussions unit
other business. such as cOmmunica
tions and reports. was out OF the wa,
and Council was under miscellaneOu!
business. Even then" Mr. Down,
ward said. "a member. before h'
speaks. shOuld rise and ask for per
mission to talk"
In speaking of the lack of parlia
mentary procedure I'm Council, Presi
dent Downward said that twice within
the past few weeks Councilman Hop
kins, Of the Sixth ward. had brough
up matters Of importance befor,
Council but after talking on them FOL
awhile they were allowed TO drop. n,
motions having been made by Mr.. Hop
kins to carry them further. Presi
dent Downward said last night Coun
Gilman McDermott started to talk OF
a subject of street lighting wheI
Council was considering communica
tiOns, and was called to order.