The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-02
THE MERCANTILE WINS.
ELECTED CITY DEPOSITORY AFTER
NINETY-THREE BALLOTS.
A Nice Question Settled in a Manner
Satisfactory to Ar-President Had
den May Vote Twice in the
Case OF a Tie.

lnc leglSiHllNe lOuNCll met NJ . . CLOCK
yesterday, and again proceeded TO ballot
for a depository Of the public moneys.
Quite a number Of gentlemen interested
in the result were present outside the rail-
ing, among others Messrs. Andrew Harris
and Gilbert Raine, on behalf Of the Mer-
camille Bank, and Mr.. n. NJ. Jones, presi-
dent Of the First National Bank. There
was q full attendance OF the Council. Pres
ident Hadden presided. At his right
hand sat Capt. James Lee, and on his left
Maj. J. I. Petit. Next to Mai. Petit sat
Councilman Kney, and next to him Coun-
Gilman Lymus Wallace. Opposite to Mr..
Wallace sat Councilmen Sam Hirsch and
y I. j. Graham, and next to the latter
Councilman John L. Randle. The ballots
were collected by Secretary @. III. Pullen,
who passed round the hat, into which
each member OF the Council dropped his
ballot. Before the balloting begn %aletters
were read from tire Security Bank and the
Memphis City Bank, each rendering lis
services TO take care OF the city's money,
and offering to give a satisfactory
bond. The Security Bank further
proposed to allow interest at the
lNAi VI . ltl NfHA ltI AuUhllt
payable quarterly. Forty-iVe ballots were
taken with slight variation. The first bal.
lot showed Mercantile 3, State 8, Union
and Planters /. Throughout the ballot
ing the Mercantile never had less than
three ballots, and toward the end began 10
pile up four with unvarying regularity, fol-
lowed by three for the Stale National and
stray which hoped from the Union
--snd Planters 10 the First National with
perplexing Inconsistency. On the ninth
ballot
A sQuABnLE AROSE,
the count showing only seven ballots In
the hat instead OF eight Mr.. Pullen had
already started 10 announce the result,
and gone 20 far as 10 say, Mercantile 1,
State 3, when he stopped with n puzzled
look aud said: Flows this? somebody
hasn't voted" Mr.. pettli replied: "Air.
Randle hasn't voted" aud Nc. Pullen,
forming his eyes In that direction, iaid:
There's Mr.. Randle's ballot still In his
hand" Mr.. Randle handed up his bal
lot, which happened TO be for the State
National Bank, making the ballot, Mer-
camille 4. State 4, and 80 II was announced.
Quick as a fash Mr.. Andrew Harris was
on his feet and claimed that Mr.. Randle's
ballot ought not 10 DO counted, having
WI htAEA ~ AhN ANHANN NAN AAAtAaAfAANAf
and that the Mercantile had been fairly
elected by a vote Of 4 10 . Mr.. Rainc
expressed similar views. Mr.. Graham
said:
lyon can't elect; 1t takes a majority Of
the board"
Mr.. Harris replied: at only took four
last year; why does Il take more now2"
Then a long, rambling. informal discus.
sion cnsued, which ended, as IL should
have begun, by referring the question 10
q. w. Metcalf, who was present rs acting
City Attorney. Two questions were sub.
milied 10 him. Should Mr.. Handles vote
be counted, and II 10. could President
Hidden cast another vote 10 settle the tie,
In accordance with section s, page $50,
by-laws OF the legislative Council, which
reads as FOL ows: I'm all cases Of ballot 10y
- the Counci. the President shall vote. In
other cases he shall not be required 10
vote, hut may do 10 II he ~ elects. But
IN ease OF a tic on any question before the
Council he will give tho casting vote. And
every member Of tlc Council Is required
10 vote on al questions submitted 10 4
VOC OF the same"
Acting City Attorney Molcali said be
thought that Mr.. Randlc's vote should b,
counted, but he was clear that Mr.. Had
den had the right 10 n casting vote under
section s. though il would involve hi
voting twice, otherwise ihcp might be an
endless deadlock Of the council, 10 proyid,
against which Section s had doubtless
been introduced. Under strict parliainen
tary law such a proceeding might b,
irregular. but the Taxing District Govern
mcnt was q peculiar body aud subject I,
laws specially enacted for Il.
Mr.. MADDEN, having heard the opinion
said: II rule that Mr.. Randle's vote b,
counted, making the vote 4 to 4. and
decide tho tie by casting my vote In fayo
oil the Mercantile Bank, aud ! notify thI
Mercantile bank that ! will work TO bea
Il II il applies again next year. ! vote 70
II this tune on the principle Of rotation
That point having been settled Mr.
Randle did the magnanimous thing b!
moving that the election Of the Mercantile
Bank DO made unanimous. This wa
done without objection. whereupon Presi
dent MADDEN raised q laugh by saying
'Gentlcmcn. that confirms my decision.
After giving permission, subject 10 III
pleasure aud will Of the Council, 10 con
ndict Ia the alley In the rear OF No. ~
Main street q vault extending out IL fet
nu,lof the alloy tho Eouuetl aItuutnuI