The Whole Thing
A heated clash between a city councilman and the acting mayor erupts over procedural power struggles.
Councilman Smith and Acting Mayor McLean engaged in a verbal skirmish at last night's city council meeting. The conflict began when a communication from the Commercial Club regarding city water and street improvements was read. Acting Mayor McLean moved to refer the matter to standing committees, citing his confidence in their ability. Smith argued that the request deserved more substantial attention and suggested a special committee, at which point McLean called him to order. Smith, incensed, declared, 'The chair seems to be the whole thing here!' and attempted to be excused from the meeting, a request the acting mayor denied, citing the volume of business remaining.
“The chair seems to be the whole thing here!”
This 1903 spat over local committee power and public infrastructure mirrors the perennial friction between legislative councils and executive leadership in Walla Walla, where the 'who controls the agenda' debate remains a staple of civic life.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.