Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-28
The Supreme Courts Decision That
the Present Allegheny COun-
cilmen Elect the Chiefs
CUTS THE TOUGH GORDIAN KNOT.
Little Time Left for the Army of Candi-
dates to Secure the Votes They
Need to Get There.
FIGURING on POLICE MAGISTRATES.
Esri Attempts Made to Declare Two Prmnsnt Asprsnts
Ineligible.

EUSuN hs oSS "eS @-@Ao 49, -
pistol in ioct race.
Since the announcement Of the decision
in The DISPATCH yesterday morning,
Allegheny has known nothing but politics,
except last night, when the usual mud and
darkness varied the programme
The decision has cl eaued up everything
except the dirtv crossings, and is generally
received as a clear and final solution of the
transition entanglement. Even the Select
Coupcilmen, who go out this year,
are satisfied, for, although apparently no
Select Councilmen are to be elected, the
members out in the cold are resting on the
hope that division of the wards will make
new seats for which they can compete. As
is known, a committee has been appointed
to make division Of the wards, and as all
the members of this committee are the men
whose terms expire with the municipal
wear. political. lines rather than property
lines will figure largely in the makeup OF
the new map.
No Grass to Grow Under Their Feet.
IT not known whether the division can
be made IN time f,,r the election this year,
hut every possible effort will be made to
have the new wards ready to present candi-
dates at the February election.
4 special meeting of Councils has already
been called for Tonight 10 receive the de-
cision of the higher court, and also to give
additional instructions to the committee on
division of wards. Committees will also be
instructed to draw up new ordinances, in
compliance with the act of 1889, ard the
opinion lust handed down by Chief Justice
Paxson.
Another matter that is to be taken up at
once is the fixing of the salaries of the heads
ofthe departments, which the present Coun-
ell are to elect The subject will be brought
up at the next meeting of the Finance Com
mittee.
The general sentiment seems to be in
favor of moderately low figures. In fact,
Mayor Wyman has said privately that if
the salaries were at all high he would re-
fuse to sign the ordinance. A salary of
s.. 500 wear for each of the chiefs, as rec
commended by the Citizens Committee in
1889. NAV be accepted, but it is more likely
that IS, 600 year will be the figure.
Less Money Needed for a Figurehead.
There is also general demand that the
even less than that paid to the various chiefs.
because, under the new charter, the chief eX-
ecutive will be only figurehead.
When Mayor Wyman was interviewed last
night he was, oil course, Plesseo win WIN dne de-
salary and write his name under each new
ordinance. He said:
The decision is Just what / expected. 1t is
the sensible solution of all tn difficulties. OF
course il leaves but limited number of select
Councilmen but that can be 1emedied by Gre
ating new wards from within. The decision
comedies with the views have always held. i
believe it is proper too. that the heads Of de-
rartments should be elected by the present
councils, instead of by new men. who are not
so well acquainted with the needs of the city,"
This was all the Mayor said. but from an out
side source 1t was learned that he was already
figuring on the plums which he had the right
TO give out.
The city is to be divided into three police
districts. Central station will be at City Hall.
The second station house will be somewhere on
Beaver avenue, and that district will comprise
all the lower part of Allegheny. The upper
end of the city. including Troy Hill, will form
the Third district and the police station will
be on Spring Garden avenue. A.
The slate for police magistrate which will
probably go through will be Henry Hunnesha-
gen, the present mayors clerk, in the First
district; Alderman McNuity in the Third, and
Alderman Foley in the Second
May Have Five Police Magistrates.
There is question as to whether the law
does not require five police magistrates. the
same as in Pittsburg, and IN that case two
others will be appoin ed, who will have only a
nominal salary and act substitutes for the
Others Alderman Z. l. Brown is the only
person so far mentioned for either of these
positions.
The decision of the Supreme Court clears
up everything" said Chairman Hunter. of
Common Council. last night. land now we
must get down to business. The transition in
made more easy than had expected. While
1t is satisfactory. am sorry to see so many good
men go out such as COchrane. Speer, McAfee,
Snoman, Lare, Hubely Lahugh. and a
number of others. A special meeting of Coun-
cils has been called for tomorrow and then we
will commence the movement for the division
OF the wards. A membership of l3 in Select
Council reduces the working majority to men.
who can block the legislation of rhe 50 members
of Common Council. 1t is too much power in
the hands of a few men.
Il don't believe the decision will in any way
affect the chances of any of the candidates for
heads of departments. The salaries will of
course have to be fixed first, and the various
chiefs will not be likely to be chosen before the
middle of March,
The fight, however, is now on in earnest for
the chiefs of each branch of the city govern.
ment The hottest contest is for the Depart
Ynent of Public Safety. The candidates are ex.
Mayor Richard Pearson George w. Snaman
Chief of Police Murphy and William Mcdonald
Mr.. Snaman is at present regarded as the
leading candidate, on account of his standing
as Chairman of the Finance Committee, and the
great executive ability he has displayed in that
position, Although Richard Pearson has been
withdrawn from politics for some time. he il
still regarded as a strong candidate
Chief Murphy. of course has a Iheavy
following and the support of Mayor Wyman.
William Mcdonald also gives promise of poll
ing good vote
Raising Point of Legality.
Even at this early date movement is on foo
TO throw Messrs. Snaman and Mcdonald out Of
the fight. on the ground that Councilman can
not, within year after he has ceased to be a
member of that body, hold any Office he ma:
legislated to create.
Both the gentlemen claim that the office o.
Chief nf the Department of Public Safety wa.
created by the State, and that therefore thi.
law does not apply to them. On the other hand
their opponents claim Messrs Snamar
and Mcdonald are affected by this law for the
reason that Councils passed a resolution ac
cepting the Governors proclamation and ere
ating the new Offices. This point is met by the
statement that to become a city of the secouC
class was mandatory, and that the resolution
OF acceptance was only mere form. AS the
decision of Justice Paxson bears out this latte
view, the representatives from the Tenth anC
Second wards will remain in the field.
Concerning this matter, Mr.. Snaman las
night spoke as follows, The decision unravel
leaves some of us in the cold. We will have Il
have division of wards, for more reasons thar
one. As Select Council is to be divided, ant
one class serve four years and the other two
The present decision, which says the present L
shall serve out their two years. seems TO con
dict with the law, but that will be remedied b,
electing ali the members from the new ward
70 serve for four years.
LAS TO the point against me that am ineligi
bic for the office of the Chief of the Safety De
partment, do not believe there is anything il
H. 1 will remain in the fight and when tn,
subject of the salary of that office comes up be
fore the Finance Committee, will of course
Withdraw until the matter is settled"