New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-23
MORRIS FACTION BEATEN.
SURPRISE IN WESTCHESTER.
A. II. M0RRISS FACE SLAPPED BY 4 SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL
THE QUARREL TOOK PLACE ON MONDAY MIGHT
IN BARROOM-YEsTERDAY THE TIDE
TURNED IN THE CANVASS FOR SCHOOL
TRUSTEES AND THE RACETRACK

TURNED IN THE CANVASS FOR SCHOOL
TRUSTEES AND THE RACETIAcK
TICKET WAS OvERwHELMINGLY
DEFEATED LAST NIGHT.
The persistent efforts of ]. A. and A. II, Morris
to bring the township and the county of West
chester under subjection to the Morris Park
track have at last received check. The whole
Wcstchester district was Yesterday excited over
the story of the assault committed by Michael
Devlin principal OF the Westcheser Public School,
on Alfred Hennen Morris, who not only represents
the district in the Assembly, but is also super
visor. The trouble all arose over the annual ccc-
tion Of three school trustees to take the plac" Of
the three who had retired at the expiration of
their terms. The board of trustees controlling the
Wcstchestcr Public School is composed of nine
members. Each member is elected for three years.
Three out OF the nine trustees retire at the end of
each year, their places being taken by newcomers
For many months those taxpayers Of the dis
trict not directly dependent for their bread on the
goodwill of the Morrises have watched with in
creasing uneasiness and alarm the gradual absorb
ton of every kind of political power and patronage
by tho owners of the big racetra"k When Mr..
Morris, two years ago, first entered local politics
~ candidate for supervisor, Mr.. Devlin, warm
Democrat of his strongest supporters.
Almost the first use that NIr. Morris made Of
his office. according to Mr.. Devlin, was the
pref aration OF bill for the legislature author
zing the appropriation of $500, 900 by the town
ship for the Improvement of roads-"specilllv tn"
roads which led 10 the r4cctrack. The bill pro-
posed 70 bond the taxpayers for the payment Of
this money. Mr.. Dcvlin. with other citizens, bit
tcrly opposed what they considered to be an at
tempt to improve the Morris property at the
a Al
huence with Asscmblyman Ryan, who then rep
resented the district. to such good purpose that
the bill thrown ont
From that time j. \. and A. n Morris
the bitter foes of Mr. Dcvlin. Yet when A. II.
Morris last year was a candidate for the Assembly
to succeed Ryan, Devlin, according to his own
statement, worked heartily for the ticket and did
much 10 secure Mr.. Morris's election.
Yesterday was the day set for the election of
three school trustees to fill the places vacated by
DR.. i f. Ellis. Seward Becker and Thomas IT,
O'Ncil. Mr.. Dcvlin, who has been principal of
the school for twelve years, Unexpectedly found
himself opposed by strong party headed by
Patrick II. Muin. blacksmith and IN minor
way an owner of racehorSs. The opponents Of
Mr. Dcvlin asserted that his methods of admins
iration were absurdly cXtravagant and exposed
the township 10 unnecessary taxation They
tL.r, fcrc set up ticket composed Of
william Walsh, George Decker and james
Daily Mr. Dcylins supporters, rebcling
against Morris rule named Richard Powers and
Thomas II. O'Neil, Mr. Walsh being accepted by
both parties. II did not take Mr. D'vlin long 10
find out that the mighty hand of Morris was be-
hind tho opposition, and hc presently found that
A. IT, Morris was personally active in canvassing
The district against him. The first district Of
W"-tchcstcr Township, in which the election took
place. comprises the villages of Wcstchcster and
| nionport
II was on Monday night that Mr.. Dcylin N hi
home in I'nionport learned that \. II. Morris was
in Michael Flanaeans liquor store, about block
away Nh Dcvln vent acros. 10 flanagan> plac"
and entering the barroom found Mr.. Morris talk
ing with William j. IIyland. brother of John fiy
land. tho trainer for Gideon a DAILY. Mr. Dcvlin
asked Mr. Morr, whether it was tru" a reported
that he had been working against him in respect
Of the school elections.
What right have You to ask me that" said
Mr. Morris
Il supported You earnestly when you ran for
supervisor and voted for you whenever you w'r"
Il candidate, returned MIR Dcvlil.
will you taxi" your oath that you voted for
me when | ran for member Of Assembly % asked
Mr. Morris
Mr. Morris, that is strange question to ask
me in public barroom," replied Mr.. Devn. but
! will take my oath before amy justic" that dIi
vote for YOU. and ! am heartily sorry for it,
"Oh. YOU are an actor" Mr. Morris returned
Il doubt very much what you
say
Mr.. Devlin. a teacher Of children, had received
the lie in y barroom, and in the presence of hi'
interiors Only one reply seemed possible to him
lie Jumped forward and slapped Mr.. Morris on
the face with his open hand. Then he walked
ont II does not appear that Mr. Morris male
any desperate efforts to return the blow, although
he could easily have made minccmcat of Nlr.
Devlin. who is weak and aing. But Flanagan as
-crts that he held Mr.. Morris by the arm;
Mr. DcvIins action in thus personally attack |
ing the direct rcprescntativ" OF the Dictator OF
Westchcstcr may have aroused the hrc of lnh"- |
pendcncc in the breasts of the villagers. NJ any
rate the tide. which had been decidedly against
linn all through the canva,sing, turned at oner
in his favor. and when at the election last ngii
he entered the ballot-room, in the basement OF the
schoohonse, round upon round Of cheers rang
ont The room seemed to be filled with his |
supporters First he was enthusiastically voted
into the chair. Then he was asked
fr.t H alPna nFpD~ those of the Morris supporters wh5
might he present 10 name representatives BIT
there was no reply. and Mr.. D"vlin AT Last Sc
lectcd William IIyland. one Of his bitterst oppo-
went on the enthusiasm for Mr.. Dcvlin rose AZ
il became evident that he would sweep ms oppo- |
ncits oil the field. The Norrises and their llru,
tenants had drummcd ND the lame, the halt ana
the blind. the negro ard the caterer. and reiprl
"A miserable minority Prominent among th'T |
the negro smith proprietor o' |
the liquor store known as the Turf EXCHANGE |
which only two months ago was the scene of 4 |
harlarous murder c.h
The voting resulted in a crushing defeat for the |
Morris ticket.
FOUR BALLOTS WITHOUT AN ELECTION
The annual school meeting Of the Drum Hill Union !