The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-18
THE DOUBLE-HEADED GOVERNMENT.
THE PATTERSON ELECTION TROUBLES.
Bothersome Kelly-A Lively limo in the Board
Of Aldermen-A Democratic and a Republican
Chairman Presiding at the Same Time
The City Under Two Governments.

The troubles arising from the election riot In the
Eighth ward of Paterson seem to be just commence
Ing. 1t win be remembered that while counting
the vote, mob rushed In, took possession Of the
ballot box and strewed the tickets over the moor.
Accordingly no returns were received from this
ward, and the question arose II the ward should re-
main for the year without representation or new
election be ordered. The election not count
ing In the Eighth ward resulted In
Board Of Aldermen Of fifteen members, consisting Of
eight republicans and seven democrats-one OF the
Eighth ward aldermen holding over. There arose
also question whether eight could be considered
quorum, the charter requiring that there should be
majority Of the Board. ami furthermore providing
that the Board should consist OF sixteen members.
The democrats
SUBMITTED THE DIFFICULTY
to ex-Chancellor Williamson and to Cortlandt
Parker for their written opinions, which were
given to tho effect that legai majority
Of The Common Council must be nine, and
that Alderman Kelly. of the Eighth ward,
whose term expired, should retain his seat until his
successor was duly elected and had qualified. The
democrats accordingly held o caucus yesterday
afternoon and decided to maintain their position IN
accordance with the opinions referred to- This
would give them eight members, and tho Board
would be
EVENLY DIVIDED BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES.
The republicans also held q caucus and decided to
combat this construction and to maintain that eight
was quorum, and at the same time to prevent
Kelly, from the Eighth ward, from taking his seat.
At two O'Clock yesterday afternoon tho Alder
men met. The welnstructed republican City
Clefk called them to order and refused
CIlned al motions to have the opinions read
out Of order The democrats elected Alderman
same tune the repabicans elected Alderman Alien
as chairman, and he demanded the chair. Alder
man Hopper refused to yield. The lobby cheered,
and Allen got another chair and sat beside Hopper
SEIZED THE aAvEL.
Both chairmen then called up the regular order OF
business and both were putting motions and de-
Gliding them carried at one and the same time. 1t
was
SCENE OF GREAT CONFUSION.
The lobby could not restrain roar OF laughter,
and the Aldermen Of the respective sides were
'rights." Alderman Allen was called upon to read
Ofhls list OF standing committees for the year. and,
a. the m mr. Topper caed 10 or I'M Inc ra4
Alderman Kelly TO keep his seat until his successor
should duly enter into office, In accordance with
the provisions OF the charter.
Another scene OF great confusion ensued, in the
midst Of which one OF the members on the demo-
cratic SIDE
until evening. The democratic Common Council
then adjourned, while the republican half Of the
Board remained and went through the form OF the
regular order OF business.
the democratic Common Council met last night
regular standing COMMITTEES for the year. Thus the
city OF Paterson has two Boards OF Aldermen, COM
posed or eight members each, and each claiming the
right TO act to the exclusion OF the other How the
matter Will end no one can now tell. Both sides
assert that they Will not YIELD and the present pros
poets are
TWO GOVERNMENTS FOR THE CITY
during the coming year. Both boards have entered
into the PEI nance Of their duftas plrcady.
The proceedings of tho republican members are
strongly condemned, inasmuch as they refused to
listen 70 the opinions of Cortland Parker and
favor OF the admission OF Alderman Kelly as the
Chancellor Williamson on the subject, which were in
representative OF the Eighth ward. Serious troubles
are apprehended before the matter Is settled. For
the republicans to yield the point demanded by the
democrats would only make the Board tie, OF pest
But they demand the majority and control, ana are
not willing to submit to a tie.
From conversation with many prominent persons
the HERALD reporter found the general feeling in
favor of the democratic side. Although they took
pretty bold step II Is thought the republicans have
taken undue advantage ana assumed o position
which they cannot maintain by competent legal
authority. There is evidently trouble ahead
for those Interested In the Paterson city govern
ment-that Is, unless some OF the members yield
their point ana Ego over"
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
met In the morning and organized, recognizing the
right OF Commissioner HOgg, from the Eighth ward,
to hold his seat until MS successor was elected and
had qualified. The Board was organized by the
election OF George b. Day president and p A.
YouDgb!ood secretary. This Board Is strongly re-
publican.