Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-27
ITS WHEELS BLOCKED
A Tie in the Councils of Coraopolis
Leads to Strange Results.
LEFT WITHOUT ANY GOVERNMENT.
Citizens Well Satisfied, and Getting Along
Comfortably.
PECULIAR POSITION OF THE BURGESS

1t is maxim with some statesmen that
the best government is found where there is
the least of it, and this idea would appear to
get support from the experience of one Of
our suburban boroughs.. The opposing
powers in the borough are in equilibria, but
as the taxing and tax-collecting machinery
continue to work, most of the citizens are
getting along in bliss and seem likely to do
so indefinitely.
This municipal Eden is located Just west
Of the lower end of Montour run, and is
named Coraopolis. Early last spring, soon
after the Council was elected, the members
split into two equal factions. 1t was claimed
that the Burgess did not have the power to
break tie, and this question has never yet
been decided by a decree, but apparently
fearing that it might be ruled that he had
the power, the contestants seem to have de-
termined that he shall not exercise it if he
have.
SPEAKER REEDS OPPORTUNITY.
In consequence, according to the state
ments of both opposing parties, when
either finds there Is likely to be quorum,
the weaker side, whichever it may happen
to be, absents itself, and there is no Reed to
count one, the Burgess not caring to assume
the responsibility.
mud of the village off his feet and gone to
Steubenville to live, and after he lett some
thought one of the opposition might some
night be penned up and made to do duty as a
quorum filler, but SO far all efforts to hive him
have failed. The Clerk of Council, Frank
Schlotter, does business 20 miles away and
he has about come to the conclusion that a
ride of 40 miles on Council meeting nights
to attend to business that does not material
ize is a weariness to the flesh. Meantime
one of the Street Committee turned the salt
water from his oil we'll onto Captain Ken
dall's property and he sued the borough.
The borough claims that it was the commit
teeman's tort, but as Council cannot be con-
vened, the question remains in dispute.
AN EAsY-Go1NG GOVERNMENT.
Meantime the judicial department of the
borough is running with one wheel, but
the helm has worked so we'll that, although
there has been large influx of population,
Squire Ferree has managed to get through
the business alone. The other 'Squire's office
has been converted into a plumbing shop
and the places in the borough that once
knew him have not known him for several
months past. As an evidence that a
town can thrive without government it
should be stated, that most of the adjuncts
of civilized society are to be found in Cora
opolis. There are Presbyterian, United
Presbyterian and Methodist churches, Odd
Fellows, Knights of Maccabees', Jr. O..
U. A. NJ. lodges, lawn tennis club, and,
according to rumor, an occasional speak
easy, the latter, however, being a portable
institution which moves along as danger
threatens.
They tell of bank in Europe that throve
for centuries without any assets, but the
idea of an American town, and seaport at
that, existing without government is enough
to cause apprehension in the minds OF prac.
tical politicians.