The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-02
HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF.
How Aldermen Were Elected A. D. 170l-Two
Boards Sworn Ina Mayor in q Fix-The
Supreme Court Settles the Dispute.

We Gull the following from the eighth chapter Of
"valentines History OF the City OF New York." and
leave readers TO notice the singular parity Of
the action taken by the Common C0uncllmen in the
year 1901, in their endeavOrs to obtain Office. and
the action OF the Aldermanic Board and the Mayor
yesterday
During the administration Of the Earl of Bella.
mont the adherents OF Leisler had been favored by
the countenance Of the government and the rival
party had consequently been powerless BY the
death of that Governor, however. prospect OF
brighter fortunes opened to the latter faction;
and at the election for the city, In the fall OF 17o
severe contest took place for the supremacy IN the
city government.
rue Common Council was at that time composed
OF the Mayor, Recorder, six Aldermen and six As.
sistants. II the votes in the Common Council were
equal the Mayor had casting vote. MI. Noel, the
Mayor elect, was an 'antt-Leiseran," While the
Recorder Mr. Abraham Gouverneur, was "Leisle.
rian.n The strife to gain majority OF the Common
Council was severe, and the votes in some Of the
wards very close. There were six wards, and as
the Aldermen made the returns Of the election
every Alderman returned the candidate OF his own
party elected. Three Of these returns were undis-
| Dock ward-Philip French, Alderman, and
| Robert Lurtlng, Assistant" antt Lelseran."
Out Ward-Martin CLOCK, Alderman, and Abra.
| ham Messler, MISUNDERSTANDING
North wart-Jacob B0elen, Alderman, and Ger
| rltt Ouclebay, Assistant" Leislerian.N
The Aldermen OF the other three wards, who were
last year OF the Leiserian party and VINO had been
candidates for reelection, returned themselves
elected, VIZ
East ward-Jonanncs Depcystcr Alderman, and
Abraham Brazer, Assistant.
West ward--Davli Provost Alderman and Peter
Williams RoOme, Assistant.
South ward-Niohoias Roosevelt Alderman, and
Hendrck Jellison, Assistant.
IL being apparent from the close and perhaps
doubtful nature OF the vote That the elections OF
| these wards would be contested, and that the new
| Mayor-who IL was well known would be or the
| opposite faction would refuse TO swear In the
| members according to the returns, they departed
| from the usual course and all the Leslerians pro.
| cured themselves to be sworn In By the retiring
Mayor, who was OF their party.
| On the usual day for Initiating the Mayor and
| Mr.. NOEL, the new Mayor, was, according to Gus
| tom sworn before the Governor aud Council In the
fort, and thence proceeded, with the customary
| solemnites, TO Trinity church, where an appr0-
pirate sermon was preached for the occasion by the
| Rev Mr.. Vesey; from thence, attended Dy the Re-
corder and the several contesting Aldermen and AS.
slstans ana other citizens he proceeded TO the CITY
Hail. and after the ringing OF the bell pubshed his
commission. He afterwards took the Mayoralty
| chair, when Mr.. Dc Reimer, the late Mayor, pre-
sented him with the city charter and the seal: Mr..
Convenient the Recorder, then placed himself upon
| the bench at the side or the Mayor, as did also
| Messrs. Depeyster, Provost, Roosevelt, Boelen
| and Clock and their assistants who had all been
sworn by the Old Mayor Mayor Noel tnep