Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-01
A VERY HOT CONTEST.
Both Sides Confident in the Alle-
gheny Chairmanship Fight
AND BOTH CLAIMING VICTORY.
Hadfield Threatens to Sue Messrs. Hunter,
Bradley and Ebbert.
THE LATTER Is NOT YET SWORN IN

lnn HA141 En- 40 NV1 lei CUVhN AN
The Allegheny Councilmanic bribery case
was the main topic of conversation and
speculation on the Northside yesterday.
There were number of new rumors afoat,
but all were promptly contradicted when
the persons interested were SEEN. W. A.
Hadfeld, one of the alleged bribers, said
yesterday that he intended to sue Chairman
Hunter, Health Officer Bradley and Coun-
Gilman Ebbert for libel, but would not do
anything at present. He again denied
having attempted to bribe anybody, but
had nothing further to say on the subject
Mayor Pearson said last night that o.
h. Stauffer had received letter from his
employers stating that he had made re-
quests before, but in this case he demanded
that Stoufer should vote for Mr.. Parke.
The Mayor said he had seen the letter and
Mr.. Stouffer had been released from his
pledge to vote for Hunter. Notwithsland-
ing this last vote, he claims that Hunter
will have % votes, or two more than enough
to elect, and probably "a. Mr.. Hunter has
pledges, it is claimed, from the following
number of councilmen:
FIGURES GIVEN FOR IT.
First ward, 8; Second, 2; Third, 8; Fourth, 8;
Fifth, s; Sixth, 2; Seventh, 2: Eighth, 2;
Ninth, l; Tenth. 2; Eleventh, 2; Twelfth, 2;
Thirteenth, L
Mr.. Hunter was asked for the names of
the Councilmen who had pledged them
selves to vote for him, but he declined to
mention any names.
Mr.. Parke was seen last night, and also
claimed to have 90 votes pledged; but, like
Mr.. Hunter, he would not mertion the
names of persons who had agreed to vote
for him. He said that week ago he hac
80, but one man asked to be released from
his pledge until the day of election, and
Mr.. Parke expects to receive his vote. In
speaking of the charges of bribery, Mr..
Parke said:
'HThere is no truth in the charges, and 1
think that although the suits were brought
for the purpose of injuring me, they have
done me more good than harm. have not
heard of one of my supporters deserting me
on that account. 1 have high regard for
Mr.. Hunter, and do not believe he had any
knowledge of the transaction. I am conf
dent of success"
1t was reported yesterday that informa-
tion had been made against two of Hunters
supporters, and they would be arrested
when the balloting began, in order to pre-
vent them from voting. This, however, is
denied by the Parke supporters.
PARKE's CONFIDENT LETTER.
Mr.. Parke has sent the following letter to
his friends:
DEAR SIR-I have carefully investigated the
report; published in the morning papers, and
firmly believe it to be conspiracy OF de-
feated lot of politicians. 1t has already made
our side stronger. Remain firm to the end.
Mr.. Fisher, one of the persons connected
with the alleged bribery, refused to talk on
the subject when he was seen yesterday.
Simon Drum, who has been Hunters op-
ponent for years, said last evening that
Parke would undoubtedly be elected.
Hunters supporters, however, say they are
more confident than ever.
Mr. Richard B. Scandrett was found by
DISPATCH reporter at his home aud ap-
peared to take matters very calmly.
'I have very little more to say" began
Mr.. Scandrett, in pleasant manner. "Of
course my letter to the press has indicated
my standing on the subject, and can
further say that deny all completely in
any and every bribery scheme which may
be on foot"
"Then you have no fear of the result?''
queried the reporter.
"No, indeed; not at all. don't care to
talk on the subject, or say what we will do.
When the proper time comes I shall be
ready with - but never mind; there is no
use of saying anything now" And the
speaker broke off with smile.
EBBERr NOT YET SWORN IN.
Councilman Swindell, of the Third ward,
happened to drop in at this juncture.
When spoken to on the bribery subject,
that gentleman said:
Although am Hunter man-in fact
have pledged myself to vote for Hunter
still don't believe there is anything at all
in the charge against our friend Scandrett
here.
"By the way" continued Mr.. Swindell,
"did it ever occur to you that Ebbert has
not been sworn in yet as Councilman? If
were in his shoes I wouldn't be sworn in
tomorrow morning if I could help it. 1 really
believe, if Ebbert should come around to be
sworn in, that strong objections would be
raised against his becoming a member.
am pretty positive that there would be, at
any rate. don't think that they can do
anything with him in the line of prosecu-
tion before he has become a member of
Councils, however"
LIVELY LIKEWISE.
There will also be lively scene in the
Select branch when it organizes this morn
ings The seat of Morris Einstein, re-
Gently elected in the Twelfth. ward, will
be contested, on the ground that he is not of
the required age. Mr.. Einstein, it will be
remembered, defeated Samuel Watson last
February. He stated that he was % years
of age, and would take his seat this morn
ing.
There will be no opposition to Chairman
Lindsay, or to Clerks White and Dill
worth.