The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-13
CIRCUMVENTING DONOVAN.

THE BROOKLYN COMMON COUNCIL APPOINTS AN
ELECTORAL COMMISSION TO SETTLE THE
PRESIDENTIAL QUESTION.
A regular session OF the Common Council OF Brook
Ign held yesterday afternoon, acting President
French the chair. The attendance In the lobby was
very large owing 10 the expectation that permanent
organization would DO effected. and Ia the deadlock
which has continued since January would be broken
On January the regular democratic BOSS McLaugh-
linz Aldermen met in and pursuant TO nsruc-
tons from headquarters made up the ''sate' for the
approval Of the hcnchmcn. The choice for President OF
the Board m ade by the democratic was Robert
Black representative OF The Fourth ward. The political
status of tho Common Council was Republicans. II;
democrats 13 The republicans had placed nonlna-
ton the name OF Alderman Ray. The demo-
cruts had sure majority or one, pro-
vided Alderman Donovan OF tho Twelfth ward,
and Alderman shannon, OF the Fifth ward, both OF
whom were elected upon "ndependcnu democratic
tickets, should determine to stand by 'tho party
linesn II so happened, however that Donovan
whose constituency number about 900 stawart voters
OF tho banner ward OF the CITY OF Churches, had ar
rived mt conclusion that he, as senior democratic
member OF the Board. was alone entitled TO the
"chair" His claims, when placed before tho caucus,
however, laughed at ns ABSURD inasmuch rs they
were ''anti-regular"
to oppose the slatey"
Donovan who has twice been siocted representative
OF his ward, and who has boon cand date for the
position every election Tor the past twelve or four
teen years, needed the snecrs and Jibes of his
party, but stood firmly by 'the constitution as lie
interpreted it, and for fourteen successive meetings he
has voted soIidy himself and against the regular
nominee
Tho question Of tho Presidency Of the Board came up
yesterday upon resolution offered by Alderman Rear
DON providing tor the selection OF seven members OF
the Common Council from each political party who are
empowered to select fifteenth man. also AN Alder
man, Tho commission thus composed Is to elect
permanent President OF the Board for tho ensuing
year. The resolution was adopted by vote OF 10 TO o
Alderman Donovan, OF The Twelfth ward, strenuously
opposing the commission and rcnouncng tho party for
their treatment OF HIM.
Alderman Donovan stated that he had been repeat
eddy elected member Of tho Board In years gone by
but he had been counted out by orders OF the party
managers, whose cry had always becn, mo matter
what you do anything 70 beat Donovan" He had
ever his constituency, and over would be,
measure as an electoral tribunal" He hoped the
country had enough OF tha!-he Tor one,
open vote, alone could lifting man be chosen per-
mancnt PrcsIuent OF the Common Council OF the great
democratic stronghold-the city OF Brooklyn The
remarks of sthe stubborn city iather' were received
with applause ny the lobby, and Donovan took his
seat with flush OF prido surrounding his swarthy
brow worthy Of an inturlated Morton. Alderman
Joha French republican, who is acting President OF
the Board, will have tho appointment OF the members
OF the electoral commission, VINO In turn are 70
Iect the President OF the Common Council AS there
are seven democrats aud republicans to be ap
pointed who in turn select the fifteenth mem.
Der OF tho commission, the question arises in political
circles, "Who will be the Judge Bradley" Rumor
wrangics this highly important question. Shan
non, OF the Fifth ward neutrality-suspicious. demo-
Graf and highly prominent chief among the
Ancient Order or Hlbernians, Is spoken Of
by the McLoughlantes as "a man among mou'
prominently qualified TO occupy tho pivotal position
the selection OF President Donovan has no chance,
US he Is pledged himself irretrievaby. On the re-
publican SIDE Alderman Frank Fischer might DC
chosen, but he Is disappointed candidate for tho
tho regular caucus SO Is Alderman Gris
void. The question open one.