Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-03-18

and cheered for their democratic friends. In
the midst of the utmost confusion and disor,
der, Mayor Warren appeared and in ioud
voice demanded Of the republican candidates
on what authority they participated In the
meeting - he had not sworn them. tie
called them by name, and in an excited man.
ner demanded their removal by the ponce.
The chairman called the Mayor to order.
'You have no business TO interfere in our Pro-
ceedings," said he ''You can't put me out
nor any other man replied the Mayor. AS
the police didn't seem hurried TO obey the
Honorable Mayor, he had a support who
would put them out by force, and overpower
the police if they wouldn't do their duty.
While the Mayor (who had no business in
the council, while the board was in session.,
in the full dignity of his Office, as chief magis-
trate Of the city was participating in this dis
graceful disturbance the clerk kept on call
ing the roll, and the vote was declared, r. A.
Ingerscll being elected permanent President.
The crowd yelled and Kissed with such ex-
pressions as ''Bully for Doctor" "1ll bet on
you," That's the sort of stuff" &c., &C.,
arose from the friends of the democratic ele-
ment. An ex.Mayor attempted TO give some
gratuitous advice armed with an ancient law
book, but the President promptly squelched
him, and.thinking he had got inla hornets nest
he very properly retired.
"A mOtlOu 10 ADJOURN Until AlteEHUOu Wdb
now made amidst an uproar that cannot be
described, every democratic member, under
the able leadership of the legal gentleman
from Ward Six, who by the way, has been it
is said, drill master Of the democratic menu
bers for a week past, using Cushing's manual
of Parliamentary Law as text book, sprang
to the floor and made some motion. The
chair put the motion, the clerk calling the
yeas and nays, and the motion to adjourn
prevailed. The crowd grew more noisy, and
long settee crowded with men, gave way and
precipitating the crowd to the floor, increased
the confusion, which was now perfect
bedlam.
At two O'Clock in the afternoon the Common
Council re.assembled. The room and ap-
proaches to the hall were crowded by per-
ferfect avalanche of human beings.
Promptly after the meeting was called to
order q motion to adjourn until Monday,
April 9th, in thu afternoon, was made and
carried, the Democrats vainly opposing. The
Clerk notified the Aldermen Of the action Of
the Council, and that Board was dumb.
founded. They hadn't expected such bad
news, and before they had recovered from
the shock the Republican Aldermen concluded
they'd bolt, which they did, but were hoping
to get into joint convention, when the Dem.
ocratic claimants from the third Ward would
have been allowed to vote. This was the
most unkindest cut of all. The ring master
from Ward 6, who had so arduously labored
to perfect his pupils in thsir studies, was con-
fdent that his plans had been blocked. His
brilliant ideas didn't amount to row Of pins,
and his mind seemed to wander.
Recovering himself, he called the remnant
of the Council to order, and with nine men,
bers all told, (the Ward 3 gentlemen thought
they better not vote) proceeded to organize
fictitious government, like the one down in
Louisiana.
A gentleman willing to sacrifice himself, and
be Clerk, was found, and President Of the
body was also chosen. Then soleMnly the
ringleader addressed his followers on the mo-
mentous question of whether or not they had
better follow in the footsteps of the real coun-
Gil, and adjourn. 1t was the opinion OF all
that the idea was a good one, and so the
Louisiana concern pulled up stakes and left
the council room, promising to return at l-2
O'Clock this evening, to commence over again.
Thus ended the first meeting of the city coun-
Gil of Biddeford, and thus goes into history
the first instance of an attempt at genuine
mob law in Maine. Biddeford can congratu-
late herself that her Mayor has the most en-
larged views of his official powers of any sim
liar official we ever heard of. He must have
looked through tremendous big magnifying
glasses of his own manufacture to have decided
that he could 60 into regular session of SOW
ereign body and elect members, duly elected
and received by that body, and by threats,
backed up by mob, cover the intelligent
members of city council. He should re-
member that he's only "man, dressed in lit
tie brief authority" The next meeting ofthe
council will be looked for with great interest.