Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-04-20
$4,000 MORE FOR
COPS AFTER WRANCLE
Council Agrees But Will Re-
consider if Governor Signs
Bill Before Him
TAX PAYERS LEAGUE
ASKS EXPLANATION

When President Downward called
the Council to order at S.35 o'clock
last evening. there was much larger
audience in the Council Chamber than
had been in attendance at any ses-
sion in months. over fifty members
CT the Police Department were pres
ont, and. in addition to Representa-
tves William NJ. Connolly and John
Edward McNabb, a delegation Of the
Taxpayers League occupied seats in
the room. This delegation was headed
by Robert Adair
Routine business occupied the at
tentlCn of the Council for about half
an hour, and then the reasons for the
unusual attendance Of such a power
full police and civil guard became ap-
parent.
Councilman McDermo,t opened the
discussion by introducing a letter
from William NJ Connolly, in which
he told of the trip of the President Of
the Council and two members of the
finance committee and the city So
licitor had called on the Governor
on April -, and asking if they had
represented the Council officially, on
that occasion, when they urged the
Governor to veto she police pay bill.
Mr. McDermott stated that he had
been handed the communication by
Mr. Connolly to present TO the Coun-
Gil. and moved that the clerk be in
structed to inform Mr.. Connolly that
the Council had neither instructed or
authorized any person whatever 70
represent the Council at Dover at
any time after the General Assembly
had adjourned sine die. He said that
so far as he knew, Council had nc
such representative, after the adj
journment of the Legislature
Mr. Draper, in reply, stated that
his understanding was that the duty
OF the Councils representative did
not end until all action on bills affect
ing the city had been taken. He said
that the Councils representative was
on his Job all the time looking after
the bills affecting the interests Of the
city. He said the Council. or the
majority of them, knew all that was
going on all the time. He insisted
that it was the duty OF the represen
tative Of the Council, and that boil
the majority of the members and him
self. as that representative, under
stood that he was to keep after al
bills affecting Wilmington until iina
disposition had been made Of them.
Mr. McDermott insisted that thu
Council never had directed any sucl
supervision of bills to the extent men
toned by Mr. Draper, and called 70
yea and nay vote upon his motion Il
notify Mr. Connolly tina. the presiden
ard the other members of Council
mentioned had not acted by authOrit
Of that body.
Mix-up Over Motion.
Then developed another miX-uI
during which several OF the member
announced that they did not under
stand the motion Even Presiden
Downward voted aye" The motto
was adopted by q Tate OF nine
four. President Downward, however
created a laugh in the audience, an
"A hasty protest from Councilma
McDermott. when he declared the me
ton last. Finally, with the statemen
that, so far as he, personally, wa
concerned. he went to Dover to pre-
test TO the Governor against signin
the bill as ap rivate citizen, in lin
with what he conceived to bp hi
duty, President Downward declare
the motion carried. and this phas