The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-12
SPAHR'S SURPRISE PARTY.
The Democrats Capture the Council
and AstOnish the Majority.
Spahr, Benjamin, and Wharton Flock with
the Minority and Are Accorded the
Coveted Recognition.

Board Of Aldermen and Common Council, last
night, was somewhat in the nature of a 1872
puzzle, and the possibilities of the combination
were demonstrated in a way quite astounding.
The threatened bolt of the Republican members,
who felt that they were about to be
overlooked, was carried into effect, and
about all the spoils worth having were
carried away with it. 1t was all done by Mr..
Spahr's surprise party, which consisted of Mr..
Spahr, Mr.. Benjamin, and Mr.. Wharton. The
surprise began with the election of Spain as presi-
dent of the sessions of the joint bodies, and after
the caucus nominees had been frozen out and
the climax reached by the election of Downey,
the Democratic member from the Ninth ward, as
vice president of the Council, it was absolutely
bewildering.
1t was unexpected, and the real character of
the thing did not dawn upon those who were not
on the inside until after Mr.. Downey's election.
Then it appeared all at once, and was quite
plain. There was a great deal of indignation
over what was denounced as the treachery of
the trio-Mr. Spahr's surprise party-and
little effort was made to conceal
it. The combination with the Democrats
secured for Spahr the presidency of the joint
sessions of the Board and Council, and a mem
bership, with a probability of the craftsmanship,
OF the fire board. Benjamin and Wharton are the
other two members of the board. With Spahra as
chairman of the joint bodies, no meeting
can be called, to undo their work. The trio were
given the places they desired in consideration of
their throwing the vote to the Democratic side
necessary to elect Downey vice president of the
Council. Mr.. Benjamin was selected as the one
to cast this vote, while Spahr and Wharton, for
the sake of a political record, voted
with their party. There was quite
a large number of spectators present
DURING tha session all the auai1ahln cracn in the
Council Chamber being crowded. The proceed
ings, however, were conducted quietly, and there
were no demonstrations; but after the adjourn
ment the crowd, fingered about the place for
some time discussing the events of the evening.
RESULTS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Alderman Rorison was chosen temporary
chairman. Mayor McMaster was placed in
~nomination by Mr.. Pritchard for permanent
chairman, the name of Alderman McHugh was
proposed by Mr.. Bernhamer, and Councilman
Spahr was nominated by Mr.. Benjamin. Before
the ballot had been counted Councilman Cowie
arose and announced that, through mistake,
himself and two others had voted for Mr.. Pear
son, thinking that the ballot was for the election
of a vice-president. He asked permission to
change his vote. The point of order was
raised by Councilman Bowling, that the ballot
could not be interrupted, and the Chairman so
rultO. OUT before ln0 result ndu Dcen announced
the point was raised by Mr.. Pritchard that it
was a standing rule of the Council that any
member could change his vote before the ballot
had been announced, and insisted that those who
had voted through mistake should be granted
this privilege. The chairman was about to state
his ruling, when MIR. Spahr arose and
said that he would mot be salts
fed with his election without the vote was
perfectly fair and harmonious, and insisted that
there should be another ballot. The first ballot,
although not announced stood: Spahr, Is, Nc
Master, IA, and Pearson, 3. On the second bal
lot Mr.. Spahr received 10 and Mayor McMaster
16 votes. Mr.. Spahr having received a majority
was declared elected. In taking the chair he
said: Gentleman, l thank you for the compli-
ment You will now proceed with the business
of the evening"
The election of the members of the Fire
Poard was announced as next IN order. Mr..
Pritchard placed in nomination Isaac Thalman
Treston G. Trusler and George W. Spahr. Mr..
Brusler asked permission to Withdraw his name
in favor of Frank E. Benjamin, but this was
decided out of order. The name of James
bowling was proposed. Mr.. Benjamin nom
mated j. W. Wharton, and Mr.. Wharton
promptly placed Mr.. Benjamin in nomination.
The ballot resulted in Spahr receiving 2S votes,
Benjamin "a, Wharton q, Thahnan l6, and
Bowling 6. Messrs. Spahr, Benjamin, and
Wharton were declared elected.
Mr.. Bowling, on a motion made by Mr.,
Pritchard, in a spirit of fun, was
the Hospital Board, and he proposed the
names of P. M. Gallahue, Robert McCle11and,
and w. c.. Newcomb. In addition Robert II.
Rees and George r.. Edenharter were placed in
nomination. -Messrs. Gallahue, MeC1elland. and
Newcomb We're elected, the ballot standing Gal
lahue, So; McGlelland, 20; Newcomb, IS; Rees,
10; Edenharter, 0. 81.
For members of the Board of Public Improve
ments Isaac Thalman, Miles NJ. Reynolds, Rob
ert A. Rees. James T. Bowling, Simeon Coy,
Robert McClelland, and John r. Cowie were
nominated. Thalman received "A votes; Rey-
nolds, "a; Rees, 26; Bowling, 0; Coy, 0; McCleil-
and, 9; and Cowie, IL. The first three named
were declared elected.
John R. Pearson, John R. Cowie, Preston G.
Trusler, T. F.. Smithers, Charles E. Haugh,
James t. Bowling. ]. w. Wharton and F.. E..
Benjamin. were nominated for election as the
members of the Dispensary Board. Mr.. Pearson
declined the nomination, and asked the members
as a favor not to vote for him, because it would
be impossible for him, in duty to his business, to
give the work of the board the attention which it
would require. Mr.. Cowie also protested against the
use of his name. The ballot showed: For Pearson,
II votes; Trusler, 81; Smithers, II; CoMie, %;
Haugh, 0: Bowling, 8; Wharton, ], and Benja-
min, L; Mr.. Pearson asked permission to with
draw his name in favor of Mr.. Smithers who
had received the same number of votes, but this
the Chair decided was out of order. Alderman
Bernhamer then moved that the clerk should
be instructed to cast the entire vote of the joint
convention for Mr.. Smithers. which was carried
unanimously.
The organization as the result of the election
is as follows:
President of the Joint Sessions-George W.
Spahr.
Fire Board-George w. Spahr, Frank E. Ben
iamin and j. w. Wharton.
Hospital Board-P. NJ. Gallahue, Robert Nc
Clelland and w. C. Newcomb.
Board of Public Improvements-Isaac Thai
man. NJ. NJ. Reynolds and Robert H. Rees.
Dispensary Board-Preston G. Trusler, John
r. Cowie and Theodore F.. Smithers.
The work of the convention being completed,
it adjourned, subject to the call of the president.
SWEPT FROM THE FooTsTooL.
Following the adjournment of the joint meet
ing the Council met in special session, and after
the call of the roll Mr.. Thalman introduced a
resolution proposing the election of John R. Pear
son as the vice-president of the body during the
nnxt two rears Iohn Z Dnuneu w nlnood