The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-11-06
RIOT AT CHICAGO.

Mayor Pro Tem-A Dlsgrnccful Scene.
Chicago, Nov. 5.-There was riot yes
to-day in the council chamber over the
possession of the murdered mayors
Office. Alderman George b. Swift al
though sworn in as mayor pro tenn,
was barred oil; OF city hall, which is ut
present guarded in the interests of the
machine Democracy by big slice OF
the Chicago police force against the in
| trusiou al Republicans. 1t was the
most disgracelul exhibition ever wit
messed in local politics.
By an audaeious move the Democratic
minority in the council seized the
Craftsmanship OF tho special meeting
and ran things with high hand. The
Republicans, under the leadership Of
Alderman Swift. met force with force,
but, in vicious encounter at the out
set, were held at bay until the Demo-
Gratis secured q firm hold on the meet
ing. The Democrats did not succeed i'll
eleCtinga mayor pro tenn, but they do
ieated the election Of Alderman Swift
for time to that position by ruling
OF the chair. who held that Il majority OF
the whole council was necessary to
choice. On the fret ballot Swift re-
ccived 81 votes, McGilleen 80, and one
alderman voted blank.
The ruling was denounced in bitter
speech by Alderman Campbell rs Illegal
and revolutionary, and when second
ballot was ordered the Republican al.
dermen arose in n body and marched
out OF the council chamber. Tho police
attempted to stop them on orders from
Chairman MCGillen, but the aldermen
showing fight Inspector Ross threw
open the doors and permitted their
peaceful departure.
AN EyHIRITIoN or NERVE
They then gathered in the hall for
conference. They were advised by ex-
Corporation Counsel Miller that Alder
man Swift had been legally elected
mayor pro TEN. by plurality vote over
McGillcn, and that he was entitled to
the office. The proposition OF excited
Republican aldermen to move upon the
mayors office ut once aud seize it by
virtue OF claim OF legal election was
overrulod, but acting upon legal advice,
Alderman Swift proceeded to have him
self sworn in without delay.
The Democrats ut once placed Il small
army OF policemen around the city
| Office and entrance was denied by force.
| Swift decided to make no resistance,
but swore that he would occupy the
MAYORS office ut II o'clock Monday
morning, no matter what the conse-
quences. Tho plan by which Alder
man McGillen was put in the saddle
aud kept there was revolutionary
throughout. lie was held in place by
his own refusal to entertain any motion
that did not suit him or his associates.
IT WAS A LIVELY SCENE.
As an exhibition oil nerve nothing
like it was ever seen in this city. 1t
was in accordance with determination
reached by the Democratic party lead
ers. 1t was supposed that enough Re-
publican aldermen had been won over
TO insure the election OF McGillen. but
the count showed one short OF the re.
quisite number, Tho Republicans were
caught mapping at the outset. They
had assembled in the ante room to con-
suit over variety OF hair-sDlitting IN
terpretations of the rules, and when
they filed into the Council chamber in
| response to an announcement that the
Democrats were hurrying through the
roll call the jig was up with them.
McGillen was hall way up the steps
10 the platform upon which the presid-
ing officer sits before the Republicans
could collect their senses. In another
instant he had the gavel. The next
thing he was pushing Alderman Hep
burn back, that gentleman having been
nominated for the same office by his
Republican conferees. Action during
the next ten minutes was wild con-
fusion, Alderman Hepburn, failing to
get on the platform, made Il drive ut
Assistant Clerk Neumeister, who sits
directly in front OF the chairman, but
the latter ran the alderman back. a
moment later NeumeIster was reading
a resolution declaring vacancy in the
| office OF mayor, and Alderman Madden
read one OF the same tenor from his
seat.
A DIsGRACEEUL SCENE.
Every alderman was standing on his
seat shouting. Nobody could hear what
the resolutions were, and both were
adopted. Alderman Swift sent up a
resolution to be read Alderman Hep
burn took it. when Clerk Neumeister
seized il from his hand, tore it to pieces
and contemptuously threw it on the
floor. NIaddened with rage, Alderman
Swift sped down tho aisle and jumped
from the rail on Neumeister's back.
The force OF his Jump carried him clear
over Neumeister's head, and before he
could return to the charge somebody
got between the men. Alderman Hep
burn tried to take advantage OF tho
scrap to run McGillen out OF tho chair,
but the latter resisted.
Instantly the platform and steps lead
ing thereto wero swarming with strug-
Cling men. Swift was trying to get at
Neumeister and Hepburn storming
party was fighting for foothold. Then
Neumeister reached under his desk for
Il weapon and was only prevented from
precpitating what must have been u
desperate riot by cool.headed news
paper man who grabbed him by the
coat collar aud chung to him like grim
death. Alderman Carey pulled of his
coat spelling for fight, but was pre-.
vented from doing bodily injury. How
i. happened that no blood was shed
will ever remain a mystery. Fifty men,
insane with anger, were massed to-
gother in apparently inextricablo en-