The Portland daily press., 1873-03-11

the head OF large and obedlent gangs of follow
ers who held themselves subject to their call,
and ready to do their bidding without ques-
ton or demur. Florence Scannell became
terror in his populous Ward 1.-THE 1Sth) in
consequence of the number and terocity OF
his retainers. He got himself elected Alder
man. and being thus clothed with official
dignity, exercised his muscle with still great
er impunity. In the course OF an exciting
local election one Donahue the keeper of a
rum shop, happening to fall under the ban of
his displeasure was attacked by Scannell and
some of his gang, with murderous intent.
Donahue defended hims If and in the melee
the pugnacious alderman was shot. Wheth-
er Donahue fired the fatal shot or not never
was proved. Florence Scannell fingered for
months, but finally died. His brother
John vowed vengeance on Don ahue. Once
he attempted to assassinate him but failed.
He was arrested. and put under bonds.
Last tall he encountered his victim in tie
pool room where bets OH elections are auc-
toned off at the corner of Broadway and
West 2Sth street, under Apollo Hall, and de-
lber 'te!y shot him dead, firing several times
so as to make sure of his bloody work.
Now If the Scannels had still been at the
zenith OF their pristine glory as experts in the
art of carrying elections, it would have SEEM
ed incredible that one of them should escape
the halter after such a deliberate, pre-deter-
mined, coolly perpetrated homicide as this,
But the era OF reform had literally swept such
gangs oftheirs out of recognized existence.
Other and better men had formed organiza-
lions and associations in the wards they in
habited, and their votes counted only one
apiece, and made poor show in turning the
scale in well COZ tested canvass. Neverthe-
less there is enough of the old leaven remain
ing, to render it possible to effect disagree
meat of the jury in case clear as ever was
tried on the old threadbare plea of emotional
| insanity. The trial has been intensely melo-
| dramatic. The prisoner has swooned con-
| venienty on at least two occasions during it /;
progress and his female relatives, with truly
| Celtic aptitu lie, to turn on the water at will,
| have shed hysterical tears, and INDUCED in
convulsive sobs at the call of the prompter.
The public thought these little bits of acting,
albeit clever and well rehearsed and put up
ON the stage, a!toge her 'too thin to have
any appreciate effect on the jurors
The District Attorney thought otherwise and
became apprehensive the very moment the
theory OF the deieHse was revealed that the
emo1iohai ms, hity pea Wouid nave the ef-
| feet of befogging some of the men in the jury
box, aad so II Turns OUT; "A thrd OF them
| got bewildered and refused to vote for convic-
| tion and one more murderer goes unWhipped
OF justice Tor an lndennlte period' II not Tor
all Time.
Before announcer "Teh naS TRANSFERRED the
Legislature VIII IN al propaplity vote upon
the new I ork CITY cnarter, substantially as IL
stands, giving the appointing power 10 the
BOARD OF Aldermen snp!ect 10 the connrma-
ZION OF tne mayor. Inns Is the only feature
OF tne lnstrumcnt Wnlcn mas caused any ma
| teriai dissenslon. Inc 20 nmlttee OF seventy
are strenuous Ior !ouging tne appointing pow
er IN the nauus Vi tne mayor. nu' inasmuch
| as tney last yea! Incorporated IN thelr own
| cnarter PROVISION t1aI Mr-nIths OF the
mead OF uepart!nents snoulu pe appointed by
Tue aluerhieii, tneif coJectiou 70 Tue a9opIlon
| OF the sam noue ol selectioh oy tne iramers
Oh tne presen! charter Ioses mucn OF its force.
Inc explanation OF Tue committees change
OF Iront on Inc question Is very simple Last
year IL was generaLy supposed tnat IN case OF
new eiecIlon ior mayor, James brion
Wouia succee' mayor nan, ana IN framing
| the cnarter tne seventy IhouSht IL prudent to
curtall MS patronage. NOW tnat Mr.. Have
meyer IS IN tue mayoraity no such restrlctlon
on the unctlons OF that once are required.
But you see now tnis catering 10 expectancy