As a Robert’s Rules nerd, I throughly enjoyed this post! I wonder if you know whether it was common to have city legal staff present at these meetings? At our small city’s council meetings the city attorney usually serves as parliamentarian but smaller surrounding municipalities rarely have someone in that role (since they often contract for legal services).
I don't think it was! At least judging by this city council meeting. One would think that yes, the city attorney should be present, but maybe in 1893 Chicago, they preferred NOT to have a legal eye officially observing the proceedings. If I notice a mention, though, I'll update you.
Thanks Jen! Just something I thought interesting. I see our mayor rely a lot on the attorney in complicated Robert's Rules or open meetings laws situations, but I could see it being totally different in 1890s Chicago. Funny because I've seen some rowdy, unhinged meetings before, but nothing like Gilded Age Chicago! Being a reporter back then must have been wild.
Here's a quote from the Trib during the city council meeting November 4: "Ald. McGillen sent for City-Attorney Trude and City-Prosecutor Asay, but they were not able to give him much assistance. " So if he had to send for the cc I guess he wasn't present! For this meeting anyway. Re being a reporter back then, I think you can tell from their entertaining writing how much fun they were having - then again they had good material!
This scenario of Robert's Rules of NO order reminds me of Adam Schiff vs. Jim Jordan. GB is Jaime Raskin providing wise counsel to calm down the ferocious tigers.
As a Robert’s Rules nerd, I throughly enjoyed this post! I wonder if you know whether it was common to have city legal staff present at these meetings? At our small city’s council meetings the city attorney usually serves as parliamentarian but smaller surrounding municipalities rarely have someone in that role (since they often contract for legal services).
I don't think it was! At least judging by this city council meeting. One would think that yes, the city attorney should be present, but maybe in 1893 Chicago, they preferred NOT to have a legal eye officially observing the proceedings. If I notice a mention, though, I'll update you.
Thanks Jen! Just something I thought interesting. I see our mayor rely a lot on the attorney in complicated Robert's Rules or open meetings laws situations, but I could see it being totally different in 1890s Chicago. Funny because I've seen some rowdy, unhinged meetings before, but nothing like Gilded Age Chicago! Being a reporter back then must have been wild.
Here's a quote from the Trib during the city council meeting November 4: "Ald. McGillen sent for City-Attorney Trude and City-Prosecutor Asay, but they were not able to give him much assistance. " So if he had to send for the cc I guess he wasn't present! For this meeting anyway. Re being a reporter back then, I think you can tell from their entertaining writing how much fun they were having - then again they had good material!
This scenario of Robert's Rules of NO order reminds me of Adam Schiff vs. Jim Jordan. GB is Jaime Raskin providing wise counsel to calm down the ferocious tigers.
Lydia Bornick