New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-23
DONOVAN BREAKS THE DEADLOCK.

AND THE BROOKLYN ALDERMEN GET A PRESIDENT
The "deadlOcko that has existed in the
Brooklyn Board of Aldermen since the first meeting OF
this year was broken last night by the election OF
William H. Ray. Republican, as President OF the
Board special meeting had been called for the pur
pose OF settling the matter and all the members were
present board proceeded at TO vote rrd roct
for President The first ballot similar III result to
previous balOts-Black (Dem) IL, Ray tRep) II, and
Donovan DEM l. the last vote, of course cast by Dono
van himself Before the vote could be announced, MI
Donovan rose hastily and called out. " Mr. President
change nv vote 10 Ray" There a sensation and
loud applause from the lobby. Donovan sat down
smiling and looking happy Aldermen erling (Dem)
then changed his vote from Black TO Burnet RepJ,
though for what purpose no one seemed To understand
The vote was then announced: Ray H. Black 10, and
Burnet /, the two candidates not voting. Alderman
Ray was declared the President of the Board for 1877
and was escorted to the chair by Aldermen fSher ana
Murtha He introduced to the retiring Temporary
President, John French, and made short adde's
abiding to the peculiar position III when ne iouhd MN
s,f President while the party supporting nm was III
As soon as the meeting was declared adjourned Mr.
Donovln slipped quietly Ou of the door near which he
had been sitting as If desiroTS OF avoiuhg any eIvdl
satiOn with his colleagues Inc olheT Aldermen prohe
up into party groups. The Republicans crowded about
AID rlnan Ray with congratulations. They did not APP
pear eager to discuss Donovan position Dul the seemed
TO think his action perfectly legitimate As ne mas betn
The means OF putting Raw in the chair they do not doubt
mat he will vote TO confirm the committees which PTes
dent Ray may appoint and hence they consider that the
board Is virtually hepupc" r tnI noo, were cen
erally very indignant; many things were SAID
not at all complimentary TO Donovan ana par
gains" "jobs and pOckcts-full " were words ire
Guently heard. Some took the matter with more good
nature. Alderman Murtha said: It's done now, ana
We must make the best OF it. Donovan has given away
his own PARTY, though what the consideration may be
don't Know" Another Democrat leaning across desk
to shake hands with Alderman Black me Ge;eateu canu
date said TO him Pm very sorry, Bob, but IL lshL as
bad as il might be. Ray is good man anyway Ihls
is an opinion common among members Of both parties
The new President since he has been In the Board las
irala rppu
iiay second perhaps other Alderman. Mr.. Ray is
about 10 years of age, and resides in south SccOndt
Erno,lyn He is member of the firm of Wilson d Co..
pUtss INK manufacturers, whose factory az the IO0t
Of Wilsonst Brooklyn, and whose office in HarpeTs
huilding NeTYOrk lie at one time superintendent
OF Frank Icsrs establishment and subs quenty OF mat
OF Harper d Brothers. His first experience IN public ne
has .an ~, BROOKLYN Alderman He has already served
i'm that cguacty three years, and has been elected lOf
two more years from the Tbirtcenth Ward.