The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-04-26
WRANGLE,
TANGLE,
JANGLE.
The Board of Aldermen Does
Its Best to Hurt the
Democracy.
BOUNCING OF LAHEY.
Farce Comedy Politics by the
Davis GaEg-Norton Talks
Like a Man.
WANSER ON TOP HERE, TOO.
If Lahey Is Legally Expelled, the
Mayor Appoints His
Successor.
WANsER ON TOP HERE, To(

Tho lobby of the Aldermanic Chamber
was crowded to its utmost capacity, last
night. Everyone seemed to believe that
the Democratic majority would wind up
It's reign, undisputed for years, with a
bang.
1t did.
The Aldermen capped the climax of the
political situation by unceremoniousIy
ousting from his seat in the board. Alder
man Richard Lahey, the Republican
member from the Fourth Alderm auic
district. The session was an intensely
lively one all the way through. but this
move actually seemed to paralyze the
tongue of the usually irrepressible Max
Salinger. Upon Alderman Norton, how
ever, it had directly the opposite effect,
and he said what Max would have said !,
only In different language-had not Max
lost his power of speech.
A DELIBERATE PLOT.
The removal was caucus measure.
The Democratic Aldermen caucuss6d in
City Clerk Scott's Office until nine O'Clock,
and then the circus began. The only ab-
sentee was Republican Alderman Kaiser
The nine Democratic members pushed
everything through that they wanted TO
and some things that they did not want.
The Lahey removal, however, was the
event of the evening. 1t was an unex-
pected bonbshell for the republicans
and was brought about in this manner.
At about ten o'clock. when the rule for
miscellaneous was called, City Marshal
Tim Long gathered three resolutions
from Alderman McCoobery. Owing 30
the absence of City Clerk Scott, Alderman
McEntee acteI as CLERK. President Allen
glanced over the resolutions and handfag g
one to Mr.. McEatee, amounted. Resolu-
tion by Alderman McCoobery."
Max Saiinger thought it was one giving
the clerks OF the board a holiday, but his
nind was quickly relieved Of this impress
sion.
THE BOUNCE.
This Is the resolutlon:-
Whereas it is represented that Richard Lahey
heretofore member of this board and duriag
his term of Office has removed out of the Fourth
Aldermanc Edistrct in which he was elected,
since his said election, the said Richard Lahey
pretendS still to be a member of this board rep
resenting .said Fourth AIdermanic district,
therefore be 1t
Resolved, That the question as to the right of
the said Richard Lahey to membership Ia this
board as Alderman of the said Fourth district,
be referred to the Committee on Election OF this
board to hear, determine aad report to this
board as to the right and title. Of the said Rich,
ard Lahey to the office Of Alderman from said
Fourth Aldermanic district.
DENOUNCED BY NORTON.
"I offer this resolution" said Alderman
McCoobery, because | have knowledge
that at the time Alderman Lahey was
elected from the Fourth Aldermanic dis
trict he lived on Summit avenue In that
district. Since that time, however, he
has removed to No. 154 Magnolia avenue,
which is not in the district. have proofs
of what say. and l will produce them
if it is desired"
sSuch matter as this cannot be re-
ferred to the committee on elections"
interrupted Alderman Salinger. "The
chair will have to appoint a committee,
before whom the proper evidence will
have to be submitted"
Ills right to the seat is also questioned
on the grounds of citizenship" interposed
McCoobery.
'.This is nice thing now, isn't it9" al
most roared Alderman Norton. "This is
pretty deal. isn't it? This is fine lot
of democrats am sitting with. | am a
democrat, God help me, but will not be
a party to any such dastardly trick as
this. Go it while you have the chance;
but let me tell you that it requires nine
votes to remove a member, and to get
nine you have to have mine, as it stands.
and now get it II you Can. No court will
countenance any such trick, because that
is what it Is.
NoRToN's GOOD SENSE
II suppose you will bounce MIN, order
new election, pile up bills and then go
up in the Fourth district and expect TO
carry everything before you. Let me
call to your mind that you were up in
those hunting grounds few days ago
and you DIDN'T do much. Now you want
to put man out of a board where he
has sat for more than year. Why don't
you try to bounce them all? | am sur
prIsed that for the little patronage there
is In this board you would expel an OPP
posing member. When there WAS patron
age the bosses took IL from you, and it
was small loss. This thing is inockerv
and humbug, and men would not resort
to II"
LAHEY DAZED.
Alderman Lahey seemed stupef1ec by
the attack on him. He was about to
write,a statement. but was wisely re-
strained by Alderman Salinger, whom ne
has retained to fight his case. Lahey.
however. did not say that he was citizen
of the United States, claiming New York.
as his birthplace.
'.l would ask Alderman Lahey to state
his residence" said President Alien.
"And l. as mis- counsel, decline TO allow
him to stale anything" put IN Alderman
| Salinger.
You're acting as counsel while sitting
in this Board don't CO." retorted Mr..
Allen. You can't act as counsel"
Will dcG as cOunSel IL WANT tOs auQ
sit here at the same time," retorted AL
| derman Salinger. Il tell you all, that my
clienI Lahey will not answer you"
A DAISY REPORT.
By vote of eight to four the matter
was referred to the Committee on
Elections. Some bills were passed, and
then came the expected report from the
Committee on Elections which is COM
posed Of Alderman McEntee. Day aud
keogh. This is the report
Your Committee on Elections, to whom has
been referred the matter as to the right and
title of Richard Lahey; heretofore a member of
this Board to the office of Alderman from the
Fourth Aldermanic district OF Jersey City and
as TO whether there is a vacancy In this Board
Of Aldermen from said Fourth Aldermanic dis
trict, do hereby respectfully report that evil
dence has been produced before your committee
satisfying your committee thai the said Richard
Lahey has, during his term Of Office for which
he was elected as member OF this board OF
Aldermen for the Fourth Aldermanic district
removed out OF the district In which he was
elected. and is no Logger member Of this board
and that there is o vacancy in this board, here
fofore filed BY the said Richard Lahey, and
thai the office Of Alderman hare fore tlied BY