Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-23
BLACK BALL BALLOTS.
John Neeb, Heber Mcdowell and Bob
Berry Turned Down by
THEsEWICKLEYRE REPUBLICAN CLUB
Hon. Walter Lyon and Friendly COntin :
gent We're Elected.
EXPLANATIONS IN ORDER AND GIVEN


Layton last evening to DISPATCH re-
porter, ''that John Neeb, Coroner Heber
Mcdowell. and bob" Berry, Secretary of
the Allegheny County Republican Com
mittee, were each and severally black
balled by the Sewickley Republican League
Club at its meeting last Thursday nigh"
''It is, nevertheless, fact. Their names
were recommended for honorary member
ship in the club by the Membership Com
mittee, but when the ballots came to be
counted it was found that each of the three
above-named gentlemen had received just
four black balls, the number which would
knock them out. I was very angry over
the matter at first, but my curiosity is now
excited as to the causes which led to such
an odd circumstance.
A FEW DETAILS GIVEN.
Being pressed to give some details Of the
exclusion episode in Sewickley club life,
Mr.. Layton explained that the club had
only recently been constituted with a men,
bership of young Republicans of the
Sewickley Valley, who made their head
quarters at Pythian Hall, Sewickley. The
club adopted the customary constitution
and bylaws, and proceeded to recruit its
membership. During the week before last
a number of honorary members, among
whom was Hon. Walter Lyon, United
States District Attorney, were proposed in
a batch by the membership committee. A
motion was made that the rules be sus-
pended and the ballot taken collectively.
There was no objection, and the batch of
names, headed by Hon. Walter Lyon, slid
through like CREASED lightning, and all was
serene. By the rules of the club the honor
ary members were to duff up 81 as slight
mark of appreciation for the honor con-
ferred, with an ulterior destination Of the
clubs 'sitreasury.
But at the meeting held on Thursday
evening, October II, things assumed a dir.
ferent hue: The membership committee
made its report, and recommended for
honorary membership, Messrs. John Neeb,
Heber Mcdowell and Robert Berry and
number of other well-known gentlemen. A
club member took the floor and requested
that no suspension of the rules be allowed,
as the members of the club desired to vote
upon the list of names seriatim. No COM
ments were made, and by general consent
the balloting proceeded, each man taking
his chance.
THE DEADLY BLACK BALL.
"Mr. John Neeb," sang out the teller.
The ballot box passed around. 'Four
blackballs," remarked the teller. (Surp-ise.)
"Mr. Heber Mcdowell" enunciated the
teller. The ballot box circulated. -Four
black balls, remarked the teller. (Sensa-
tom
Mr.. Bob Berry," ventured the teller.
The deadly ballot box went the rounds once
more, and in moribund silence the teller
timidly remarked, "four black balls"
(Tempest)
''Who hath done this thing?" asked an
amateur actor in stage whisper.
President Alfred Moore raped for order.
There was a unanimous shiver.
Then wellknown politician who afili-
ates with neither wing of the Allegheny
county camp. arose and wanted to know why
In blank such an affront had been offered to
such leading Republicans-and he here
their titles and importance in
the party-and why the club chose to cloud |
its early days by such put-up job. There
was no answer forthcoming and the meeting |
broke up in suppressed disorder, if such |
,erm is admissible.
1t is understood that certain of the club |
members justify their conduct by asserting
hat "Messrs Neeb, Mcdowell and Berry, |
Ire Tariff Club men and affiliate with people |
lot popular with u.s."
1t is the commonly expressed belief that |
he excuse given is rather 1imsy, and that |
dynamite train of politics is lurking under |
he blackballing. Lively developments are
ooked for at the next meeting of the club, |
evening, October 81.
JoCULAR JOHN NEEB,
Local investigation into the blackballing
n the Sewickley Republican League Club
howed that there are two factions existing,
me in the Quay interest and the other loyal
o Mr.. c. L. Magee. The remark made by
me Of the members of the club when the
hree names were propo ed was: "They are
ii Tariff Club men, and thev have enough
o do to attend to their own business with
ut coming out here to manage ours"
The whole idea of black balling the people
yho were proposed for honorary member
hip was simply laughed at by the candi-
ates last night, each one of whom had been
,ressed to become members of the club by
'eople connected with the organization.
John n. Neeb, one of the victims of the
black ball inhibition to enter the
acred portals of the Sewickley Club, last
light said while enjoying the fact that he
ad been actually put in the infusion of
neat, or the infusion of ideas, at last Thurs
ay's meeting:
81 was asked by one of the best citizens of
,ewickley some weeks ago to Join the Re-
ublican club there. replied that as an
fficer of the Allegheny Central Republi-
an Club and member of the Tariff Club,
had enough to do to satisfy any demands
pom my time which would allow me an
our or two day to devote to my own busi-
ess. 1 said, if you want a little
omething to help the funds out
ere is S. bill. He replied
o, he only wanted 81 and handed me back
he change. suppose was proposed and
ou tell rue was black balled. 1t is sad,
cry sad, because would not like to have
he spot ball played on me in game of that
ind and I suppose the whole thing was O
lis-cue."
THINKS THERE s A DIFFERENCE.
81 still think, however, that the gentle
Ian who proposed my name is the peer of
be man who caused the trouble, if there
as any trouble, which 7 cannot say, as 1
as not present. 1 shall also say that the
rst gentleman mentioned is longer resi-
ent by many years OF Sewickley than the
ian who came down from Harmarsville to
IN affairs in the borough.
"It is an easy matter If you make it an
bject to get four black balls thrown
gainst any candidate and it requires just
bout as little brains in the head that con-
Elves the idea as it does in the black ball
ast. There are some of the most amusing
lcidents in the election of members that
ou have ever seen. Republicans have
cen elected members of Democratic clubs
nd vice versa. The vote of which you
peak indicates nothing beyond the fact ,
lal the club in question is somewhat d. !
ided and that the onnosition to me ner-