The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-05-01
PLEASE LET NE VOTE
TRYING TO SQUEEZE ELETEN coUN-
CILMEN INTO TEN CHAIRS.

Meeting of the Bayonne Council Mon
day Night-An Election Contest and
Two Claimants for One Seat.
The Bayonne Board of Councilmen
lor 18S9-90 began its official existence
Monday evening by first staring in
anxiety and dismay at a dilemma con
corning a simple matter of procedure,
and then grasping of the dilemma's
horns in sheer desperation and at the
same time in a manner chary and fear
some as to the consequences.
At the recent charter election in
Bayonne the candidates for Council
man in the Second ward were Charles
McQuillan, a democrat who sought a
reelection. and ex-Freeholder Albert
Post, a republican. The returns gave
McQuillan a majority of three. In the
First district of the ward the Board OF
Election rejected five ballots merely
because they contained the sub-cap-
ton, Second district" Four OF these
ballots contained the name OF Post
and one that of McQuillan. With these
DdllODn COuACCa btAC AOSoAV $50
been q tie vote.
The ex-Freeholder's son, Carrot l..
Post. was one of the election officers,
and he refused to sign the returns
compiled by William w. Broker and
Jacob Hassmiller, his democratic col
leagues. unless the ballots were
counted. He drafted another set of
returng in which the ballots were
counted, and had them signed by
Lawrence V. BREASTED, his fellow re-
publican. Both sets of returns were sub
mitted to City Clerk William G. Ham
ilton. On the strength of the set first
received Clerk Hamilton swore in
Councilman McQuillan the next day.
Several DAYS thereafter Mr.. Post APP
peared and asked to be sworn in also.
Clerk Hamilton refused. Mr. Post re-
tired and consulted Counsellor James
p. Northrup, his counsel, who, being
q Master in Chancery, administered
the oath of Office and then prepared to
contest Councilman McQuillan's
claims to the seat.
THE CLERK CALLS THE ROLL.
There was an ominous calm when
Clerk Hamilton called the new Board
to order. Councilman Kelly, the
Fourth ward Demosthenes, was alb
sent; else the spectators in the lobby
would have been amused with some
of his facetious comments. The
retiring Board had adjourned
sine die, and the Councilmen
had not had time to leave
their seats before Clerk Hamilton
began the roll call. Mr.. Post and
Counsellor Northrup occupied front
seats outside the railing. When
Councilman McQuillan's name was
called Counsellor Northrup arose and
cried, "Mr. Chairman" Clerk Hamil-
ton bent his head closer to his desk
and continued the roll. He finished
just as Counsellor Northrup again
cried, HMr. Chairman.
1.-THE first business in order is the
election of a president, gentlemen"
said Clerk Hamilton, ignoring the
Counsellor.
II enter an objection to the calling
of Mr.. McQuillan's name as a Council
man, i~nterposed Counsellor North
rup;
remarked Councilman Carroll.
II cannot hear him. The Board
must organize before he can be heard"
replied Clerk Hamilton.
L QOll u S0C WHY VIC Ctil4 v 1lCdA ALL.
I see no harm in learning what he has
to say said Councilman Carroll.
How can we hear him until we Or
ganize?" queried Councilman Goddard.
.Gentlemen, / trust you will bear
with me a moment. / desire to be re-
corded as entering an objection to Mr..
McQuillan acting as a Councilman
interposed Counsellor Northrup.
According to the charter the first
business in order is the election of a
president, gentlemen" said Clerk
Hamilton.
mi. Post, take a seat and vote with
the rest, y said Counsellor Northrup.
PLEASE LET ME- VOTE"
The ex-F Freebooter seated himself in
side the railing, and Councilman SEQ
field nominated Councilman Goddard
for president. Councilman Cadmus
seconded the nomination, and Clerk
Hamilton put the question. There
were several ayes and no nays, and
Clerk Hamilton declared Councilman
Goddard reelected.
sHow is this, Mr.. Clerk?" queried
Councilman O'Farrell. SIS this the
proper mode of election? / don't
think it is, and l desire to have it by
BALLOT
Clerk Hamilton murmured that the
proceeding was perfectly legal. Coun-
Gilman Goddard said he had no OBJ
lection to taking a ballot. He rather
preferred the election in that manner
Clerk Hamilton told the City Fathers
to prepare their ballots and detailed
Councilmen Sanford and O'Farrell as
tellers. The two passed around their
hats and gathered the ballots.
please let me vote. / haven't voted
yet,n mildly spoke Nj. Post, when the
ballots were dumped upon the presi-
dents desk. The tellers turned around
and hesitated. Then each City Father
glanced about at his colleagues, Mr..
Post looked at his counsel, who looked
back encouragingly, and Clerk Hamil-
ton gazed at a mosquito that was
Waiting along the ceiling. Council
man O'Farrell broke the silence by
asking on what grounds Mr.. Post
wanted to vote.
ION the grounds that I was elected
Councilman of the Second ward re-
sponded Mr. Post, prompted by
Counsellor Northrup.
"How many ballots are thereg"
queried Clerk Hamilton.
Eight answered Councilman
Sanford.
"Some gentleman has not voted
said Clerk Hamilton.
II have not and I don't intend to.