Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-04
WITHOUT COUNCILS.
Allegheny's Reform Association Will
Now Act for Itself.
THE ACCUSED MUST MAKE ANSWER
Efforts to Be Made to Vindicate Both wy
man and Murphy.
PEARSoN'S CASE TO BE CONSIDERED

The right OF the present Allegheny Coun-
ellis TO imneach Mayor Wyman for alleged
c-oekedness in office during his first term
HIS been questioned by many leading men
on the Northside and may result in criminal
proceedings being commenced BY the Citi-
zens' Reform Association. A meeting of
the committee will be held the latter part
of this week to consider the matter and it is
very probable thst steps will be taken to
have Mayor Wyman indicted. Nearly
all the charges that have been brought
against him have reference to acts in his
first term, and even if the present Councils
have jurisdiction, it is thought they will
feel it out OF their line of duty to conduct a
trtaL
When asked about this yesterday, Mr..
Henricks. Chairman of the sub-Auditing
Committee. said Councils have the right
TO act on the misdeecs of an official whether
they were committed against the city or
private party, so long as it is Judged that
they ere of nature not becoming public
oticer. II it is proved that Mr.. Wymsn
received bribes during his first term and
illegally retained witness fees, Councils
have a right to act and will probably be
called upon to DO so. d"
To Act Outside OF Councils.
Notwithstanding Me- Henricks' state
rncnt, it is evident tror the manner in
which the Reform people are proceeding
Ih&t theS intend tc act independently
Of Councils The aifidavits that have
been Tifde public were secured by the Asso-
citation and other evidence which is still
held back they claim was procured by them
and Is low III their possession, a part OF it
wlli lie mace public at the meeting OF the
sub Auditing Committee next Friday, and
immediately afterward the Executive Com
lniUtee CT the Reform Association Will meet
to decide whether prompt steps shall be
takeE against Mayor Wyman and Chief
Murphy or whether the matter shall be held
or unit! after Councils meet.
It is generally believed that they viii be
indicted at once and will be given a chance
TO prove their Innocence in the courts. If
this move is taken it will be because the
yefo-mers do not want to enter politics, and
II TREY make the fight in Connects
they would be compelled to do political
WORK. Besides, the defence of Mayor
will be tl1t he was following precedent, and
it Is believed such plea would have less
weight With judge and jury than with
Councils,
Ex-Sfayor Pearson's Case.
Very little is being said with regard to the
charges against ex-Mayor Pearson. 1t is
claimed by the auditors that he followed
the same course as Mayor Wyman in
handling witness fees, and that he still
retains a great many that were
Uncollected. Il is stated that he will be
asked to refund what hesowes to the city,
0vt that in view of the evidence that lie
ocred in good faith no proceedings will be
commenced again = him. Mayors Clerk
HUnEesbsGen, wb0 was also clerk while
Pearson WAS Mayor, was asked yesterday
about the latters methods OF handling wit
ness fees. and saiG it was identical with Mr..
Nyman's. Mr.. Pearson. he said, has the wit
ness fee book, and is in position to return
the money to the city if it is found that he is
required TO do SO by law