Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-11
A CHANGE DELAYED.
Attorney ElphinstOne Thinks Alle-
gheny Will Remain as at Present.
he POINTS OUT his REASONS.
Stumbling Blocks in the Way That Cannot
Well be Overlooked.
RESULTS OF HIS HARRISBURG TRIP

CITY Attorney Elphinstone, of Allegheny,
returned from Harrisburg yesterday, where
he has been for several days looking into
matters connected with the future of the
Northside city.
From what could be learned from Mr..
Elphinstone, the chances of Allegheny's
becoming city of the second class during
1891, or even at later date in the near
future, are not of the most encouraging ma
ture. There are a number of serious OBJ
stacles in the way of such a change, and a
great many interests will have to be consid-
cred before such a change is brought about.
When asked for the status of affairs at the
present time Mr.. Eiphinstone said: 81 will
have to refer to some matters of the past In
order to make the situation plain. At the
last session of the Legislature, owing to a
decision OF the Supreme Court, it became
necessary tor Allegheny to be governed as
all other cities o. the third class were,
or become a city of the second
class. The question involved was
in regard to the validity of the
Wallace act. Rather than be subjected to
the code then in preparation for cities OF the
third class, Councils by a unanimous vote,
elected to become city of the second class
Accordingly, a committee went before the
Legislature with two acts, or bills, one pro-
viding for Allegheny becoming city OF the
second class, and another providing ways
and means ior the transition. After hight
the latter bill was defeated, but the classiti-
cation measure was passed. Allegheny
wanted both bills or none, but Mr.. Quay
evidently thought differently.
REASONS FOR DESIRING BOTH.
There was a multitude of reasons for de-
string both One was that the Council
manic representation would be decidedly
unbalanced under second class regulations.
Then there would be 58 Common Council
men and only Is Select, or l from each
ward. The former would be chosen on the
basis of population, while the latter would be
elected on the basis of wards. Now you can
see that this would give seven members or
majority of Select Council the power to
check all city legislation. l might add
right here that during the consideration of
the two bills referred to the Supreme Court
reversed itself on the Wallace act, leaving
the city under the old law.
Now there is Just as much necessity for
division of the wards SO as to equalize the
representation OF Select Councilmen as ever,
and this question will have to be submitted
10 the people at sosne future municipal
election. If Allegheny should become
city of the second class before this division
is made, why then the matter would be be-
yond remedy.
Now the classification bill provided that
whenever it appeared that there was sufi-
cient population to warrant the creation of a
city of the second class the Governor should
issue a certificate to this effect, which, if
issued 50 days before the election, the
change could 60 into effect on the first Mon
OF April following. So you see the condi-
tion things are in. Without the passage OF
that transition bill it would almost disrupt
the city to change to the second class. The
Legislature does not meet until January,
and the Allegheny elections occur in Feb
rnary.
COULDN'T BE DONE IN TIME.
"It is not probable that this bill could be
brought up in time to make the change next
spring, provided it can be passed at all.
This is one stumbling block. Another is
that Governor Beaver has not decided
whether he has power to issue this certif-
cafe on the strength of Census Supervisor
Porter's figures, or whether he will. .have to
wait until Congress gives the census returns
its stamp of approval. 1 had long talk
with Governor Beaver and Attorney Gen.
eral kirkpatrick on all the points men
toned, but they gave me no Intimation of
what action thev might take, and l have no
idea when the Governor will decide in re-
gard TO the certificate"
"What is you opinion in regard to
making change?"
"Why, 1 believe it would be better for the
city to leave it just as it is for the present "
What do you mean by this?"
81 mean that the transition should not
take place for some time to come
What is the sentiment so tar as you
know about redivision of the wards of the
citv?"
The representation should be more nearly
equal. Many people think that if the
charter comes into force there should be at
least % wards. This would give Just hall
as many Select Councilmen as we now have
in the Common branch, but this is for the
people to decide"
From other seemingly reliable sources ii i:
reported that the feeling against changing
the present order of things is growing rapid.
". One Alleghenian stated that he wa.
satifed fully four-ifths of the Councilmer
were opposed to it, and that it would be sew.
eral years before the new form of govern
ment would be adopted.