The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-19
DONOVIN HOLDS THE FORT.
The Pretty Kettle OF Fish the brooklyn Once
holders have Hand.


Tho twenty-five Aldermen across the rivcr
in tho quaint and queer city OF Brooklyn, are
indulgng in public circus that IL az cmbar-
RAISING to party leaders as it is annoying to the
Chief Magistrate. OF tho twenty-five citv
fathers. thirteen are out-and-out Democrats
and twelve are pronounced Republicans. Las,
year Alderman French was President of the
board. enjoying in addition TO his regular sal
airy Of 81 900, 81 800 which came to him ia an
ex-ofllcio member OF the Health Board Very
naturally, he desired to continue in go soft n
seat. from which he occasionally acted as Mayor
OF tho city. and drew his proportion of TINT
officials pay, when. by accident or design. he
was out of town. Two other Republicans also
sought the place. and actively canvassed for IL.
At the first meeting Of the board this year cour-
tcsy suggested the election OF ex-president
French az the temporary President He was 80
elected. The Republican, caucus. after much
argument, nominated Alderman Ray Of the
Thirteenth Ward as its candidate for the ono.
OF President, and the Democratic caucus named
Alderman Black of the Fourth Ward.
Under ordinary circumstances this would
have decided the election in Alderman Black y
favor. White uen and Brooklyn politicians nre
prOverbially uncertain. and when tho election
wns held no choice was made for ono of the
Aldermen, Donovan by name and Irish by
birth. not having the fear Of King Caucus boz
fore his eyes rcfus I'd to sustain tho cdict of his
colleagues and vote for Alderman Black lie
went further than that He voted for himself.
This he justified on the ground that he was the
oldest serving member OF the board. that ne was
ahundantly qualified for the position. and, being
entitled to 1t, meant. II possible. to get IT,
At first this provoked hostile comment All
the powers Of the local magnates were invoked
But II was in vain. Donovan wanted Dono-
van. and no one else could have his vote. Bal
lot after ballot WAS taken, with varying result.
put no election was had. One time the Kepub.
Leans nearly gained the prize Donovan having
carelessly cast his vot" for Alderman Ray hut
Alderman Cottrell not being DESTROYS that his
own nominee should succeed changed his vote,
and Ray. was ohscurcd. After this sort Of boo
peen had gone ON several weeks. the Corpora
ton Counsel took u hand In and gave It as his
opinion that while the pro tenn. President was
competent tn attend to the routine duties Of tho
c Dy eaib means nr una, r. could
very positive he could not serve IA acting
Mayor in The absence Of the Mayor. IL also
gave II as his opinion that President French
was not entitled to the extra pay which goes
with the extra work.
This wis n bOmbshell that the French camp
didn't relish, and although excellent lawyers
I'D not hesitate TO reassure the friends Of
President French, by insisting that the opinion
OF the Corporation Counsel was all bosh they
had To- admit that very nice question was in
VOWED. and Il was by no means certain how the
courts would finally decide IL.
All this time the voting went quietly and
steadily on. with Donovan answering in his
hdelity 10 Donovan At length the Mayors
TO put an end 10 the farce. Calling up his re-
serves, he issued an order for u special meeting
VI llr az Wfllcn tnty were 10 eject Posi-
dent. and failing in that they were To meet
again and again until their body should hc or
namented and completed with its official head.
Nothing * easier than calling men to "a meeting.
But i ~ lust M easy Tor the men not to attend.
Ihe Mayor called. but the men kept away. This
was done twice. Thent the MAYOR recalled his call
anu Donovan still holds the fort. In this quad
rilntrral contest Mayor Schroeder represents
thr Germans. Alderman Ray the Renqhicans.
Alderman Black the Democrats. and Alderman
donovan the Irish element. IT, really u pretty
quarrel rs II stands acting President Fren h
having az kind ~ umpire. the hest Of il.
Ihnr' seems To- he bitter feeling on the part Of
lolnicanS against Donovan. but the people. as
a whole. care very little about TO-. The kcuub-
Leans cannot elect the man OF their choice. but
nry nave one OF their number in the chair.
me Democrats cannot elect their candidate. hut
they have thus far proiit.d by the di--,ns IONS
among their cncmies and prevented coalition
between Donovan and the Republicans. The
end II ~ Impossible to torrsre. hut saearious
pnlucians predict combination OF the friends
OF some of ths Republican Aldermen and Don
ovan. BY which the deadlock will be broken
and Republican kept IN Office.