The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-14


PITTsTON, Aug IS.
A0OT in forty years has there been in
lMl this borough such an exciting
llWl meeting of the borough fathers
w as took place at the town hall
here tonight The spectacle presented
at the little brick structure which does
duty as Pittston's modest municipal
building before the council met to-
night was one which recalled the
thrilling episodes Of war times. when
citizens We're wont to gather to hear
the latest intelligence from the
seat Of carnage; but it was with
a different purpose that three
fourths the male population of
Pittston this evening poured itself out
into the street, the alley way, and the
vacant spaces surrounding the council
chamber. after it had filled all the
available room inside. The throng
came, not to learn of bloodshed and
anguish nor to tevel in the details of
human slaughter, but to welcome back
the famous Junketeers, TO greet and
salute and perchanee to grasp the hens
of the garments OF the cele brated men
who had, without the loss of hair,
circumuavigated the paved thorough
fares OF Americas foremost cities, and
survived the material seductions of
dozens of expert promoters.
There was deal of expectancy in
the air when Chairman John j.
Mangan raped the council to order
The routine proceedings out of the
way. Councilman DonDelly pulled an
elaborately rolled document from his
pocket. cast an appealing glance at the
chair and rose to deliver himself OF the
Junketeers' formal report. Ths Curl
osity of the multitude had by this
time reached such state Of high
pressure that there was obvious con
fusion in the hall. Mr.. Donnelly strove
to make himself heard, but regarding
his lung power as inadequate to quell
the growing tumult, yielded long
enough to have a motion made that
the council chamber be cleared Of all
persons save memb bers and reporters.
THE FUN BEGINS.
Chairman Mangan no sooner put the
| question than there was a storm of in
dignant "noes" One of those who
voted in the negative was Hotel Keeper
Il. f. Ferguson, who stood near Chief
of Police Lotus Chief Lotus OBJ
jscted to Mr.. Ferguson having vote
IN the matter and when the latter en-
deavored to defend his right, as a citi
zsn, to protest against the election of
taxpayers from a place OF public as
sem blage, the chief seized him vigor.
ously and proceeded to escort him down
stairs
Instantly bsdlam broke loose. The
spectators made rush Tor the exit,
there were cries Of fight" and liberal
number Of oaths, and for time IT
looked as if a riot would result, Mr.,
Ferguson, 1t seems, after he had been
| hustled into the corridor leading to the
| lookup, managed to convince the chief
Of police that he had done nothing tC
deserve summary commitment, and he
was soon released. Meanwhile the eX.
citement was 80 great upstairs tina,
Councilman Donnelly's report pro
gressed no further toward a reading.
Before he could resume, Mr. Ferguson
made his way back into the counci
chamber and once more insisted upon
his right to be present at any consider.
alton of the question of paving reform,
involving as 1t did the disbursement OF
large sums OF public moneys
FERGUSON AGAIN ELECTED
Although this demand of his was
strongly backed up by other citizens
present he had scarcely concluded hii
remarks before Chief Lotus q ssconC
time seized him and marched hin
downward in the direction of the bur
CESS court Many in the audience
were disposed to rescue him; but i
seems that Chief Lotus had prepared
for this, and by the aid of deputies
managed finally to get Ferguson undei
lock and key. Half an our later hi
was released, and the chances are tina
suit for damages for false imprison.
ment will materializs in consequence
The proceedings of the council mean
while were OF chaotic character
Mem bsrs who were opposed to th
junket and the methods Of the junket
eers withdrew from the meeting; ant
finally motion to adjourn was enter.
tained by the bewildered chairman ant
declared carried. For two hours there
after Water street was occupied by al
excited throng, animatedly discussing
the scenes of the meeting Indigna
tion mounts high against the council
and the once popular reform movemen
seems to be in fair way to be kille'
by its fool friends.