The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-05
DETAILS OF THE RIOT.
Aldermen Lose Their Heads and En-
gage in an Unseemly BrawI.

Aldermen Lose Their Heads and En-
gage in an Unseemly BrawI.
CHICAGO, Nov. A disgraceful riot oc-
CURED in the Council chamber to-day when
the aldermen met to elect a successor to
the murdered Mayor, Hon. Carter II. Har-
rison. Rivalry for the craftsmanship of the
meeting was so intense that number of
fist fights began in the Council chamber al
most Immediately when the session opened.
The Council is almost evenly divided, po
litically, the Republicans having a slight
majority, while the dead Mayor
Democrat Added to this, there has been a
fierce fractional quarrel among the Repub-
leans, the followers of Alderman Geo. B.
Swift, who beat Alderman Martin Madden
for the Republican mayoralty nomination,
being accused by Madden's friends Of Gin
decent haste to force Swift into Office.
The control of administration patronage
and prestige in the coming election, Nov.
T. has added fuel to the fire. a large num-
Der of judges are to be elected, and eX
traordinary interest attaches to the result,
owing to the contest being made by Gov.
Altgelds friends against Judge Gary, who
presided at the trial of the Haymarket
Anarchists.
Aldermen McGilen Oem.) and Hepburn
Rep) were nominated for chairman of to-
days meeting of the Council, and at the
call of the roll the clerk announced that
McGillen was elected. He rushed to the
Speakers chair and seized the gavel. Bed
lam followed. Alderman Hepburn. who is
an adherent of the Madden faction mount
ed to the Speakers chair and the clerk at
tempted to throw him out. Both claimed
the election, and each called for the read
ing of different resolutions. Hepburn, the
Republican, insisted that a resolution by
Alderman Madden be heard, and the latter
began to read, while the clerk began to
read a Democratic resolution. Madden
handed his resolution to Hepburn and the
clerk jumped upon Hepburn, seized the
slant Alderman Swift, the Republican can
didate for Mayor. had run to the Speakers
desk, leaped over the rail and alighted on
Clerk Neumusters back. The Democrats
rushed TO the front and Alderman Carey
threw off his coat and leaped at Hepbur1fs
throat. Both sides ran TO the aid of their
police" police" was the call. officers
ran IN and tried to eject Hepburn. They
also grappled with Carey and made him put
For Gods sake, act like men," shouted
Alderman Campbell from the top Of his
desk.
Alderman Swift Republican, rushed to
the Speakers desk and shook hands with
Alderman McGillen OemocraD. Police In
spector Ross stood behind them
Take your seats" shouted Alderman Nc
Gilien. "One at time, the chair will rec
ogniZe you in turn.
II demand to be heard, said Alderman
Hepburn.
An uproar followed. There were excited
cries from every part of the chamber. The
police were kept busy stopping scuffies.
Finally Alderman Swift secured the floor.
II recognize you as chairman, he said, ad-
dressing McGillen. Il ask my friends to do
SO Cries Will III put To it a to vote followed
II am chairman answered NIcGillen. 81
am a man not addicted to unfairness. will
treat you right
The meeting then quieted down some
what and a resolution was put through
providing for a special election TO be, held
the third Tuesday of the present month.
Alderman Madden then presented a res
olution providing for the selection by to-
day session OF a temporary Mayor. Al
derman Trip had introduced a similar res
olution, and the attempted discussion which
followed caused another disgraceful scene
of disorder The police were called upon
to restore order and the bowling aldermen
were forced to take their seats. Alderman
Trips resolution was finally passed, and
Swift placed in nomination by the Repub
lcans, while GIcGillen was nominated by
the Democrats for Mayor pro tenn. The
balloting resulted in thirty-four, for
Swift thirty-three for McGillen and one
blank, and the Chair ruled mo election"
The excitement in the corridors outside the
Council chamber was intense during the
and with difficulty handled the crowd,
which wildly surged back and forth in an
endeaver TO gain entrance to the meeting;
Shortly after Chairman McGillen refused
TO declare Swift elected on the vote of 81
TO % and one blank the Republican alder
men withdrew TO the ante-room of the
Council chamber. They proceeded imme-
diately to swear in Swift as Mayor. County
Clerk Wulffe administered the oath, which
was drawn up and attested. The matter
will now rest until the regular meeting of
the Council on Monday night.