New-York tribune., 1873-02-27
A POLITICAL SKIRMISH


to I've expected at the meeting last evening OF the Apoo
Hail General Committee. 10 had been omlnohsy
whispered that tho majority OF the members were op
Iosed 10 the nor,nee OF the caucus Johh hcOoo' "S
Chairman Of the Committee for the ensuing year, ana
that in any ease there would be strong hght maoe 10
secure ms defeat.
Before the meeting was called 20 order knots OF dele
gates gathered on the pavemen lobby and in the
body of tho hail. eagerly discussing the prospect ana
canvassing the chances OF old.fashoned row. IL was
past the usual for beginning its deliberations wheh
the Committee was called to order BY Judge spauldlhg
Among the familiar faces were those OF f. NJ biHpy'
Judge Butler H. Bixby, Roswell D. Hatch, Alderman
Monheimer ex-Aldermen Mehrbach and Fitzgerald,
Robert b. Mooney Win C. Barrett, VIM. ID. Booth Bur
ton n Harrison, Henry B. Clinton ex-Coroner fyhn'
ex Congressman Morgan Jones Harry Murray, and oth
ers Senator o'Brien was not present ihere were
many faces and some of these nave uhti recently
been seen In Tammany Hal.
Among these were Coroner Patrick ii. Keenan,, ex-
Alderman Bryan Reilley, eXJustice Wm Dodge, civil
Justice Anthony Hartmann. exAssemblyman Aexan-
der Frear Fire Commissioner Wm Hitehman, John
Ford Thomas Canary, Counselor McClelland, John
Hotaling, and others. The Hon. BENJAMIN WOOD ex-
Recorder James NJ Smith, ex-Alderman George A. Bar
nev Henry r Roome and others OF the National Re-
form Democracy whch recently fused with the Apollo
Hall organization, were also present
Judge spaulding called the meeting to order and Ros
well D. Hatch moved that Judge Spauding be elected
temporary Chairman and Mr.. Davidson Secretary This
was enthusiastically carried Judge Spaulding thon
addressed the meeting.
We are said he after extending congratulations to the
Committee the elder children of family of reformers
Gmted m numbers that we might have been grouped
around family table without touching elbows ana
sentative or at least its sympathizcr, In every well
regulated household In the city and to appear upon the
Long the Apollo Han democracy arraysd te iset
against the city corrnptioniss, ana planted @ nsen
and irutuo
cipal reform and In little upward OF TWO years IL hds
h9 Sartiage Of faction into the strength bone
and OF party which to-day holds IN ms hrIn grasp
the balance of power In NcwrfOrk city pohIcs. lAp
pIausel Had Senator o'Brien played detective IN
and around the City Hail. the jimmy and the false Keys
would stii ply their burglarous occupation upon .he
city Golfers and creatures now stripped oi II would
wear coat made solely to conceal pockets III "hlch
| 10 STOW away and carry off the city swag
| Gentlemen (he concluded after dgresson) OF the
Committee the 9Ty OF W arc ' the balance of poWeT
party in New-York city. We have no sympathy with
Credit Mobiers hand, and on the other We have
testified our abhorrence OF elty tnleVes Dy exposing
them. lAppauseJ -. ,..., ,,o column n, ro,or,,
organized by your predecessors by striking down
bad men whenever and wherever nominated by any
known TO be good, the problem Of true reform Is TO
find its solution not in legislative enaGmens but IN the
substitution OF good for bad in all places OF public
trust aud honor. tApplause.I
The Chairman then called for the first business Of the
meeting which the presentment OF credentials and
the Secretary announced that the only seats contested
were in the Vth and XVllth Districts. The following
Committees were appointed:
on Organization B. Eoone Fr,nes BIby
Rosee D. Hatch Patrick Mo nahsn John Moore WI" p Mitchell
.aopP'ae. B1S 5ohn , Dsvl9 Bisa5d J.Ps ones
V. Davidson, Alexander Spauldiu..
SMALL CLOUD on THE HORIZON.
Mr. Clinton moved that committee Of one from each
Ward be selected by the Chairman to recommend per
manent officers for this organization" This resolution
was the forerunner exciting debate which became
further "A rather pugnacious aud finally culmi-
mated in an exhibition of bad blood, almost amounting
to fight "a confusing medley OF shouts curses motions
OF all kinds and finally any adjournment.
Harry Murray sprang TO his feet exctedy the instant
the words of Mr. Clinton had been uttered with this:
Now, Sir, move that this body nominate their own
officers [Appause) My reason for doing that is this:
The newspapers OF last Sunday contained an account OF
a meeting that took place at Delmoncos restaurant OF
portion OF this organization. From the same source we
certain officers for the eneuing year"
Mr. Murray interrupted on point OF order, and a
question arose about the reeonsldeTaOn ol tne MOTION
OF Mr.. Clinton, upon which the Yeas aud Nays were
called Some sharp talk followed in reference 10 the
Murray made bitter speech about Ininorilies ruling
and eectng their officers against the wishes OF the
majority. and proposed that when the roll was called
designate his choice He himself was in favor
OF the present Chairman for permanent Chairman TINS
was followed by great applause ana mt, hufIay moved
the choice of the present officers OF the organization
The Chairman called him 10 order.
The previous resolution was finally carried, and the
Committee retired for consultation. On returning some
tee reported the of John McCoOl for permanent
President complimentary speech, IN which he said
dissenting Great applause from one ade OF the mousse
followed; but Mr. Murray who was one OF the dissent
ing members of the Committee jumped up and said that
the choice ai the minority james W Brook, who In
fact, was. the choice Of majority o the whole ogan
cation despits the Committee
The name Of Brook called out deafening applause from
the other side OF the house and was moNed that the
speech from Wio. C. Barrett IN favor of NSool, after
discordant shouts for McCooi aud Brook. livery one
seemed 10 be dehandng TO be heard ana M. Shair-
man Mr. Charman!" in hOarse shouts and IN shfieks
"Queston question:" !" and put him out - ,,-
Hatch proposed a compromise on the name OF WB. G.
Barrett for Chairman Again the shouts and Mr.
Barrett withdrew his Then came sudden
motion 10 lay the minority report the table and
enough order restored temporarily TO enable the
the minority report the table theI yeas substantially
meaning hcCoo and nays Brock
MEMBERS EXCITED.
The delegates from the First Ward absent else
resralned from voting The confusion was SO great how
ever that little could be heard few feet from the Sec
retarys desk. The Second Ward was reached when
OF the First Ward delegates awoke TO the fact that
vote being taken, and demanded that their ballots
should be recorded. This done amid much cODfu
slon and charges that votes given for absenees
AS the voting continued the confusion increased and
epithets we're freely exchanged
10 evident that was imminent. The vote up
to the time the Fifth Ward was reached seemed to be
very largely 10 favor OF Brooke Mr. Hatch proposed as
a compromise that McCoo and Brooke withdraw and |
Wm. O. Barrett be placed IN nomination This was en-
for - MoCool" and Brooke were redou6ed
the call OF the Fifth Ward delegation ended,
Mr. McCoo who occupied seat toward the Of the
hail. arose, and said that his nomination dsate
ul 70 Jorge number OF those present. he would with
draw from the contest Under circumstances would
he allow his to be used further candidate.
He wished all present "a very good evening"
His withdrawal was taken advantage OF by the adhe-
rents OF Brooks and suggestion made that his
nomination be made unanimous. This yehemcntly
opposed by party OF McCOOls friends, led by Bryan.
Reiley who endeavOred to east rdicule Brooke by
moving that the Committee adjourn 20 West Phladel-
phia, and by Calculations of Carpetbaggers" Better
have him become a citizen" etc. Both parties had
crowded mp toward the officers platform, and only
short space separated them.
While the excitement was at its hight some OF the
BrOOke marty HhOnted Phi them Out referring