The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-05
RIOT IN CHICAGO'S COUNCIL.
THEpoIICE CHILLED OUT IN THEFIGHT
FOR THE DEAD MAYORS CHAIR

|
Meeting by Force. and When George II.
Swift, Leader orthe Republicans, Is Flee
ted Mayor FRO Tenn, II Surrounds the
CITY once. with IA Gordon OF Police 10
| Prevent Entrnncc-Beiier That Five Ro-
| pubitcans Were Bribed 10 Desert Their
Partr-Thc city In a state or Anarchy.
| CHICAGO. Nov. 4.-There were exciting times
| to day in tho Council chamber over the pos
| session OF the Mayors office. Alderman George
| b. Swift, although sworn in as Mayor pro tenn.
| WINS barred ont Of the City Hail. which is Mt
| present guarded In tho interests OF the ma
| chine Democracy by n big slice Of the Chicago
police force against the intrusion Of Republi-
cans. 1t was most disgraceiul oxhibi-
ton OF local politics. BY an audacious
move the Democratic minority in the Council
seized the Craftsmanship Of the special meet
ing. The Republicans. under the leadership
OF Alderman. Swift were held at bay until the
Democrats secured a firm hold on tho meet
ing and prevented the election OF Alderman
Swift for time by ruling OF the Chair which
held that majority Of the whole Council was
necessary to n choice. On tho first ballot
Swift received "a votes, McGien 33, and
one Alderman voted blank. The ruling
was denounced In bitter speech by
Alderman Campbell as illegal and revolution
u
Republican Aldermen arose in body and
marched out OF the Council Chamber. The
police attem pied to stop them on orders from
Chairman McGillen. but the Aldermen show
ing fight Inspector Ross threw open the doors
and permitted their peaceful departure. They
then gathered in the hall for conference. They
were advised by ex- Corporation Counsel Miller
that Alderman Swift had been legally elected
Mayor pro tenn. by plurality vote over
McGil!en and that he was entitled to the
office. The proposition OF excited Republican
Aldermen to move upon the Mayors Office at
once and seize 1t by virtue OF legal election
was ovcrruled: hut. acting on legal advice.
Alderman Swift proceeded to have himself
sworn in without delay. How he will enter
upon the discharge of the duties of that office
against the opposition OF hostile City Hall
crowd will tie decided later. Mr.. Swifts
bonds. in the sum OF $4,000. were
signed by John NJ. Smyth and Henry Wultf.
Chairman McGillen. baked in his at
tempt to imprison the Republican Alder
men. ordered second ballot to be taken.
but remembering suddenly that there was not
n quorum present. he ordered the Council
adjourned until Monday. The Democrats
placed u small army OF policemen around the
city Off ces. and entrance was denied by force.
but swore he would occupy the Mayors Office
at IL o'clock on Monday morning no matter
The plan by which Alderman McGlllen was
nut In the saddle and kept there was revol u:
onay ae a hsl in paes h by
did not suit him or his associates. AS an ex-
hibition OF nerve nothing ike twas ever seen
in this city. 1t was in accordance with IA deter
leaders last night and this morning, 1t was
had been woe over to insure the election Of
McGillen. but the count showed one short OF
~" The Repubiicsns We're caught nappinC at
the oatset. They mad as6eRDi bed in the ante
room to consult oTef "a variety 0fhHirhspli' ,h
filed into the Council chamber in response to
an announcement that the Democrats were
with them Mctiiien was half way up the steps
to the platform upon which the presiding OH.
their, senses. In another instant he had tho
gayel. The next thing he was pushing
having neen Nominated Tor the same Office by
his Republican confreres, Action during the
made a drive at Assistant Clerk Neumeister.
who sits directly in front OF the Chairman. but
the latter ran the Alderman back A moment
from Alderman Trip. declaring n vacancy in
read one of tho same tenor from his seat.
Every Alderman was Al standing n on n, his seat
lutions were. Both sets were adopted. Alder
nun Swift sent up resolution to be read. AL
dermnn Hepburn took it. when Clerk Neu-
iloor AIaddenai with rage. Alderman swift
at Neumeistor The force OF his Jump carried
him clear oyer hs Ne4mesters heal which Vas
ehTss rot
Of this scrap to run McGilen out q the chair
form and the steps leading thereto were Were,
swarm!ng With s'TngEling men When Neu:
him "Iap0 the man cSns to
nm 6 his Coat s1onx S or sh t" 5St
didn't do any bod harm, That 20 blood was
shed se. was remarkable; The fuTly forms Of
ants were pushing here and there. separating |
belligerent Aldermen and doing their best to |
When there came lull in the storm so that |
business could proceed. in quick succession |
the republicans, the adoption Of a resolution |
calling a special election on Dec Is, and then
tho presentation OF resolution to elect
Mayor pro TEN. By secret ballot motion to
elect such officer by roll call was rul ed out of
order ana an aELpSGi from tke decision OF the
the refusal OF tho Chair to admit the election
OF his rival is told in the beginning OF this de-
The city is virtually, in state OF anarchy, 1t
has EenuGllcan Mayor pro tenn, who has
been sworn , In and whose official bond is
working minority Of The City Council, and
whose authority viii be disputed by tho DEM
present possession of practically all the city
political mach nery. After Chairman Me-
lllen had declared the Council adjourned
until IL oclocE on Monday morning, he APP
pointed John Fitzsimmons custodian OF the
the chamber 10 kept locked until tho regular
meeting on Monday, evening. Commissioner
Jones. custodian OF the building ord cred Chief
Brennan t., guard the council chamber and
allow no other meetings.
During the progress OF tho council m Getting
the corridor beeame crowded with ex-city
officials and politicians an aious to he present
during the proceedings. AS the work pro-
crossed the confusion IN the hallway and the
rrowding at the doors became SO great that
nsrector Ross. with his dozen policemen. was
unable to keep the people back Ten men
woro secured from detective hoadquarters.
emergency detail Of twenty-five police "
Before they could be collected the excite
ment in the corridor became 80 great that it
was necessary to summon a squad OF men
rled out a score, OF, the reserve men in uni
TOrm 1t IL said that last evening sums ~
money were Oiierel for Republican votes in
,Ie interest OF the Democratic parry md dur |
ng the night five Republican Aldermen fell
lnder suspicion.
lint tho suspi "ions We're well founded or tha |