Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-01
CHASING THE CHIEFS.
W. ]. Howard Asks by What Right
They Exercise Their Powers.
HE ALSO ATTACKS THE CHARTER
An Attempt Will Be Made to Prove That 1t
Is Unconstitutional.
ATTORNEY GENERAL HENSEL CALLED IN

Quite sensation was caused in already
troubled Pistsburg last night when it be-
came known that Mayor Gourley and W. J.
Howard, of the Howard bill fame, were
trying to oust the chiefs of departments. A
telegram from Harrisburg brought the in
formation, as follows: at is stated on ap-
parently good authority that Mayor Gourley
and W. j. Howard, of Pittsburg, will make
early application to Attorney General
Hensel for writ on the heads of depart
ments of Pittsburg to show cause why they
exercise the functions of their offices. 1t
will be contended that the charter under
which they are operating is unconstitutional
and that they should be ousted in conse-
quence."
The idea that such a thing would be at
tempted created CONSERVATION among poll
tic1ans An attempt was made to see W. J.
Howard, but as he has no permanent home
in the city he could not be found. In fact, it
was stated he was out of town.
What the Mayor Has to Say.
Mayor Gourley was found at his home; but
was only slightly surprised when he heard
the burden of the telegram. He declared he
was not doing anything of the kind, but did
not know what Mr.. Howard was doing. He
said:
81 must say it is a matter of news to me. 1
partments in that way All 1 know of the
matter is this. On last Thursday Mr.. How
ard came in to see me at my office. We
and discussed methods for finding just what
ideas the charter intended to carry out. Mr..
Howard was very anxious to have decision
to the exact meaning Of the
over the chiefs of the depart
ments' Mr.. Howard said he had
some matter to submit for the subject, but
as we were talking the messenger raped on
the door. We did not pay any attention to
him. but he raped again and again. Mr..
Howard, thinking he was taking up too
mi 1Ch n of tfrs1a ryor1t har1 ha
reached the door he found that it
was Senator Finn who waited admis-
sion and then both Mr.. Finn and Mr..
office and talked for fully any hour about
thesbills that Pittsburg had before the last
Legislature. We also discussed street paving
and the recent troubles over Treasurer
Bardsley in Philadelphia.
Further Conversation Wanted.
"FinalIy, Mr. Howard went out, saying that
he wanted to talk further with me respecting
the charter. He said he was going away,
but promised to come to see me on Satur-
day. He did not come back, however,
and believe he has gone out of
from him since, and am not connected with
this action. l cannot understand how my
name comes to be mentioned with it. There
must be some foundation for the telegram,
and it may be that Mr.. Howard is making
arrangements to ask Attorney General Hen
sci for such a writ. / do not believe he had
done 1t yet, for Mr. Howard, being almost
total stranger in Pittsburg, would likely try
to gather the ideas of q number of other per-
sons besides himself"
An effort was at once made to find what
the various chiefs thought of Mr.. Howard's
late move, but none of them could be seen.
A call was made at Chief Browns residence,
but that gentleman was sick and refused to
be interviewed. Robert G. Elliot Chief of
the Department of Public Charities, was out
seeing some of his constituents and could
not be found while at Chief Bigelows High
land avenue home there was not the least
sign of life,