Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-07-19
A HEATED SESSION,
THE COUNCIL. WRANcLEs OVER
eLscTlNG A AFlRe COMMISSIONER.
srsssrs. GnIgon. ruspiu. Taylor. and Others
Become Animstcd--sfcssrs. Levy.
Welsh, aud sheppard Elected.

A heated joint session of both branches
OF the Council was held last evening for
the purpose of elect1ng two members of
the Board Of Fire Commissioners and one
member Of the Board Of Police Commis-
sioners. The meeting was presided over
by President J. q. Dickerson, of the Board
Clerk August read the report of the Board
OF PnbIic Interest recommending the
names of Mcssrs. T.. T.. Eckel. Joseph l..
Levy. and T. T. Minor, for the position OF
Fire Commissioner from Monroe Ward, IN
the place of j. l.. Levy. whose term had
expired: the names OF J. X. lamp
kin. j. y. Welsh, and James HAYES, for
the position of Police Commissioner from
Marshall Ward. ia the place OF !. y.
Welsh. whose term expired, and the
names Of J. I. Henshaw, j. Il. Sheppard,
and Edward Allen. for the position OF ieire
Commissioner from Jackson Ward in the
place made vacant by the resignation 0,
Mr.. w. j. Gentry.
MR.. WELSH RE-ELEcrED.
The FIRST election was that of the Police
Commissioner from Marshall Ward, and
Mr.. j. B. Welsh was the successful nomi-
nee.
Mr.. Levy received every vote except one
for the position Of Fire Commissioners from
Monroe Ward.
When the candidates for the Office Of
Fire Commissioner from Jackson Ward
we're announced TO be voted cu Mr.. Epps.
OF jefferson Ward, arose and stated that
while he supposed the men whose names
were submitted to the body would make
capable officials. q majority Of the voters
of Jackson Ward wanted Mr. Thomas
Bvrne. and he thought the matter shonld
be sent back TO the Board OF Public IN
terest.
Mr.. Turpin agreed with Mr. Epps. and
said that he supposed that the Board oil
Public Interest had overlooked the name
of Mr.. Byrne.
PRESENTED THE NAME OF Mr.. ByRSF.
Mr.. TAYLOR stated that he presented the
name of Dir. Byrne to the Board OF puolic
Interest, but that he was the only man
who voted for his nominee.
Mr.. Guigon derided the action of the
Board and said that Messrs. Henshaw and
Allen were put up as wooden men, leaving
Mr.. Sheppard the only real bond-fde candi-
date.
MIR. George Gibson. Jr.. spoke in favor
of sustaining the report of the Board aud
said that he had confidence in that body
and intended to vote for one of the names
presented.
ACCUSED THE BOARD OF BEING rARTIsAS.
Mr.. Guigon and Mr.. Gibson had quite o
little controversy in regard to the candi-
dates, and the former still maintained that
the BOARD of Public Interest was partisan
in that il presented only one real candi-
date. A great deal of wrangle ensued. MIR.
Guigon asserting that he would not vote
when his name was called. and that other
members could by doing likewise cause
the matter to be referred back to the
Board of Public Interest. as 1t would re-
quire q majority OF the members OF the
two branches of the Council 10 elect Fire
Commissioner.
EFFECT OF THE BOARDS ACTION.
A statement was made by Mr.. Ferriter to
| the effect that he had Just been told by q
most reliable man that there were over
| 800 Democratic voters in Jackson Ward.
| and that pot 900 of them would vote the
| Democratic ticket in the next election be-
cause Of the manner in which they had
| been treated by the Board of Public In
| terest.
| The Chair suggested that motion be
made that the body refuse TO elect either
| of the three candidates presented, and
| that the matter be referred back to the
| Board for new nominations.
| MIR. Guigon made such motion, bat
| withdrew II, and stated that his desire was
| that all opposed to the recommendations
| of the Board should simply refuse 10 vote.
| RoLL-cALL BEGUY.
The calling OF the roll was begun. but
when the name Of Mr.. Bowden was reached
this gentleman did not vote. The Chsil
stated that it recognized Mr. Bowden, and
that he knew Of no rule which would ex
cuse a member OF the body present IRON
voting; that the gentleman bad better ask
the body TO excuse him. This was done
and the request refused. IL was then asked
what could be done TO the member If he
| persisted in his refusal. and the President
| said Il should think it would be con.
tempt of the body"
Just at this iuncture Messrs. Guigon and
TAYLOR had some very harsh words in con
nection with the matter before the Coun.
Gil.
The latter gentleman said that Mr. Gui.
| gon had criticised the action of the Board
and had asserted that II put up wooden
men in order 10 carry out its purposes, and
that il was false. The gentleman from
| Madison Ward stated that it was his privi.
ege 10 criticise the Board of Public Inter.
est, and that he would do so whenever he
chooses. notwithstanding the remarks oi
the gentleman from Clay Ward.
The roll was finally proceeded with and
Mr.. Sheppard elected Fire Commissioner
| from Jackson Ward. Mr.. Guigon refusing
| TO vote and being excused by the Council
| The fre-alarm souaded about this time
| and there was the greatest confusion IN tins
| Council chamber. The meeting adjourned
| ,uo n,inutas later