The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1918-08-07
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present at the meeting of the council
at which Mr.. Caldwell was elected
city manager, and remembers dis
tinctly the action at said meeting.
There were several applications from
a number of outsiders for the position
of city manager, and the mayor, who
was present at this meeting, insisted
that as the charter called for city
manager, it was then the proper time
to take action. Mr. Caldwell's name
was proposed for this position and
with no further nominations, mo-
ton was made and seconded that the
election proceed.
AT this juncture Mayor Chace arose
and suggested that as number of
outsiders-presumably good men for
the pIace-had made application it
might be good idea to postpone ac-
ton until an investigation Of these
applications could be made. evidently
not anticipating that the council
would act so speedily when he sug-
gested that the time was at hand to
elect city manager, and that the
nominations for the place would close
with the name of Mr.. Caldwell. The
mayor spoke for some length, and for
a time it seemed as if bis suggestion
about considering other applications
would have some weight, but Presi-
dent Nash informed the mayor that a
motion had been. made <and seconded
to proceed with the election, which
would have to be done unless Alder
man Winer, who had made the mo-
ton, would recall it. All eyes were
then directed at Mr.. Winer, and q
hush fell over the council and audi
ence, all expecting him to speak. FL
nally he stated to the council that his
motion would stand as made, and
after ballot Mr. Caldwell was unan-
imously elected. Immediately after
which Mayor Chace left the room,
plainly evidencing his displeasure at
the councils action.-Banner.
The foregoing is as dramatically
written as anything Alexander Du-
mas could dope out. and it bears an
other resemblance to the works Of
Dumas-it is strongly tinged with
fiction.
1t is very true the mayor wanted a
city manager elected--he also want
ed man elected who was competent
to fill the position. He did not ask
for anything but brief delay in
which the names of other candidates
could be presented and discussed. The
courtesy that generally prevails in
parliamentary bodies would have al
lowed his suggestions to be consider
ed. Why Mr.. Winer did not extend
the mayor this courtesy we do not
know. Under parliamentary law, hs
had the power to shut the mayor of,
and he used it. We do not think his
colleagues approved of his action, but
they had no remedy. We do not think
the people and the taxpayers Of the
city approve of running the steam
roller over their interests in any
such fashion. They elected Mayor
Chace to look after their interests
and he is faithfully trying to do SO.
In one place. the Banner, possibly
unintentionally. gives the mayor a
square deal. 1t is where it says:
The mayor spoke for some length,
and for a time it seemed as if has sug-
gestion about considering other ap-
plications would have some weight.
etc.
If it seemed like Mayor Chace's
recommendations would have some
weight, why did Alderman Winer, on
whom the matter depended. refuse
him hearing?
Tho cfof al,
after, Mayor Chace left the room,
plainly evidencing his displeasure, !"
has no foundation outside the Ban
ner reporters imagination. Mayor
Chace had no further business with
the council that evening, consequent
ly he soon after went home, but he
did so quietly and without manifest
ing any displeasure with anyone.
We have noticed Of late that the