Ellsworth American., 1875-05-20
A Bit Of Municipal History.

A Bit of Municipal History.
The City Government, after some little
disturbance is now fully organized and
proceeding quietly with the Municipal
business. \ few uneasy. disappointed
palti>an> have undertaken to make some
trouble, but at the last very wisely con-
tented themselves with some harmless
resolutions. The great body of the citi-
zens will stand by their government, and
will not be Influenced by rebellious coun-
sells.
Now that the excitement has passed, and
the people can view the matter di,paSsion-
ately. it may be well to give the history of
the affair. At the Municipal Election o.
March %, 1875. there were thrown in the
Fourth Ward some eight or nine scratched
ballots. that is-ballots with one or more
names erased. When the polls were closed.
a committee was chosen TO count the
votes, and IN the counting. this committee
counted each scratched ballot as vote
for the name that was scratched. This
seems absurd, but il was done. and the re-
turns made up accordingly. BY this
unique mode of counting votes, Newell
Wilson was made to have two majority for
Alderman. Holmes two majority for Coun-
Gilman. and Wilmot McGown one majority
for Councilman.
Mr.. Royal Tyler who was thus made to
be in minority of one for Councilman
he running against Wilmot McGown, was
not satisfied with such a count. and gath
cred up the scratched ballots and took
them away. When the then Board OF
Aldermen met 10 canvass the returns from
the various wards. this matter of countin.
in the Fourth Ward was brought to their
attention. and the scratched ballots pro-
duced and put in the hands OF the Mayor
The Ward Clerk in the mean time issued
his certificates TO Wilson, Holmes and Nc
Gown, and when the new Boards met on
the first Monday in April, as required by
the Charter, these gentlemen holding the
certificates were sworn in by the Mayor
and took their seats.
Il
of Two for Alderman by the peculiar count
ing in the Fourth Ward presented his Pc
tition 10 the Board of Aldermen immedi-
ately upon its organization, claiming the
seat held by Mr.. Wilson. Mr.. Tyler. and
Mr.. Hamilton presented similar petitions
to the Common Council. claiming the seats
held by Mr.. Holmes and Mr.. McGown.
This was the proper and legal course BY
which TO bring the matter before the only
tribunals that could correct erroneous
counting of votes, and thus give effect to
the real will of the people. There were
now contested seats in each Board, and
the first business of each Board was TO
settle the question of who were entitled to
seats. Cushing's Manual the recognized
authority in this State on parliamentary
law. says in section :, The proper time
Tor this investigation, (the right of men,
Der TO his seat when the assembly lis
permanently organized. is before it pro-
ceedS TO the transaction of any other bus
ness
Accordingly the proper resolutions were
offered in each Board 10 bring the whole
question directly in issue. and it was
moved in each Board. that an investigation
be had, and the question be seitled at once.
Considerable fillibustering ensued. and the
men whose seats were contested. attempt
el to vote on motion affecting their own
title 10 seats. but the presiding officers
very properly refused 10 permit such Il
violation Of the plainest principles OF par
iiamentary law. We do not believe the
bulk OF the Democratic party approved it,
but we presume it will not be disputed that
these filibustering unparliamentary at
tempts TO prevent an investigation. was
the work of Democrats.
An investigation was however ordered
by each Board. and witnesses were sum
moned. When the Boards again met to
hear the testimony. the partisan Demo-
Gratis ab>ented themselves. in violation of
the oaths they bad solemnly taken the day
before Efforts were also made to prevent
the attendance of witnesses who had been
summoned. One important witness was
found in the office of young Democratic
aspiring politician. who was urging him
to remain away, and when the witness de-
cided to attend, insisted on going with him.
The testimony was secured at length. and
then both Boards adjourned from day to
day. waiting the attendance Of the recusant
members, before assuming the responsi-
E.iI;et- oF daaiS.nD y-ha wara eptitlad To bo
contested seats. The Republicans and
Independent members waited patiently
tong time, that the Democratic members
migkt have opportunity to come to their
senses. and resume their duties. The
longer the reeusants persisted in this de-
liberate disregard Of their solemn oaths.
and obligations, the more they were losing
ground in the estimation of the people.
and the more the Repu bfieans were gain
ing In the meantime however. the inter-
ests of the people were suffering. The
schools needed money; the roads were
needing repairs-the poor were suffering;
the state and County taxes. and interest
on City debt would soon fall due. Pa
fience ceased to be a virtue at last. and
those members who had remained true to
their ozahs. took the responsibility. aud
decided that a correct count ia the Fourth |
Ward would have elected Leach and Tyler,
Those gentlemen were accordingly sworn
i'm and took their seats. A new election
was ordered to fill Holmes seat. The
CITY Council then went to work to transact
the usual city business
That the testimony warranted this de-
.isson of the question. who was elected in