The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-03
STORMY COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
Morgan Sweensy's Right to Vote Cues
toned by Councilmen.

The session of the common council,
particularly the preliminary organiza-
ton. was fringed with a halo of excite
ment and considerable disorder. At
various times one or two members of
both the Republican and Democratic
sides were simultaneously elamoring
for recognition.
To the uninitiated spectators who
crowded the gallery and rear Of the
cham her, it appeared as though hard
feelings existed between the divisions
of the council; however. after the
Democratic faction won the prelimin-
ary contest by installing its candidates
FOR permanent chairman and clerk to
like temporary offices, the body settlel
down to an exchange of compliments
and less tumultuous transaction Of
business.
E. E. Robathap, Republican, from
the Fifth ward, and P. J. Nealis. Dem
ocrat, from the Fourteenth ward, were
nominated for temporary chairman.
Clerk Mahon announced that Mr.. Neal.
is received the largest responsive vote,
buS the ayes and nays were asked for,
The result showed the vote to be II
aud 10, favoriug Mr.. Nealis, whereupon
he assumed the chair. The particulars
of the vote WAS as follows:
For Nealis-Golden, Robathan Regan,
Mclean, Robinson, Sweeney, Schadt,
Noone, Hickey, Battle, Norton
For obathan-Morris, Grier, Thomas,
Godfrey Moir, Wenzel, Howe, Neslis,
Davis, Williams
The new members are Morris.
Thomas, Regan, Godfrey, Wenzel.
Schadt and Noone.
John P Mahon, for the Democrats,
and Evan Morris. for the Repu blicans
were the nominees for the temporary
clerkship. and the former received the
largest number OF votes under the
same conditions which elected Mr..
Nealis to the chair.
Then followed the incidents which
led to no end of confusion and turmoil.
Mr.. Grier called for action upon a
resolution which be laid upon the
chairman's desk Immediately follow
ing the temporary organization, Mr..
Nealis refused to allow its reading and
ordered the certificate of election read.
Mem bers Robathan, Moir and Grier at
oncs asked for recognition; the former
was given the floor and stated
that the resolution had an i'm
portant bearing on the parma.
neut organization and the time
chosen was perfectly proper for it's
reading and consequential action
Again the chair refused its introduce
tion and Mr. Robathan's exception to
the ruling was interrupted by Mr..
Grier, who, on being recognized, said
ne would withdraw the resolution, but
moved that all certificates of election
he accepted with the exception of Nor.
gan j. Sweeney, whose election is dis
putsd. Mr.. Sweeney's case is now
pending in court
The Democrats met the move by u
motion offered by Mr.. Norton, to lay
Mr.. Grier's motion on the table. While
the amendment was being acted upon
Mr.. Sweeney responded "aye;" instant.
ly Members Moir, Robatban and Grier
arose and protested against Mr.. Swee.
nsy's right to vote. The chair refused
to consider the protest and ordered u
continuance of the p ling, and Mr..
Norton's amendment was carried by Y
vete of II and 10, which tabled any
further consideration OF Mr.. Sweeney's
right to u seat.
Mr.. Mclean moved an acceptance Of
the certificates, which was mot with
an amendment by Mr.. Robathan to lay
the motion on the table. The amlnd
ment was lost and the original motion
carried by an II 10 10 vote.
AT this point peculiar mistake was
made in the taking Of the oath of Of
fec by the chairman and new mem bers,
which necesstated the ceremony being
done over again in the only legal way.
On motion, carried, to proceed to
permanent organization, Mr.. Nealis
before his elsction to the chair was
sworn into Office by Notary Fellows,
of the school board, and Mr.. Nealis in
turn administered the oath TO new aud
re elected members. Mayor Counel
entered the chamber some time later
and after Mr. Nealis' election in =
structed the body that the permanent
chairman should first be elected and
then receive the oath Of Office from the
mayor only; afterward the chairman
could administer the oath to the new
members
Patrick J. Nealis nominated by Mr..
Battle. received 10 votes, aud Edward
e. Robathan. nominated by Mr.. Moir,
received votes for permanent chair
man; Republican Member Thomas b.
Howe, voting with the Democrats.
Mr.. Robathan's motion followed AMI
was carried to make Mr.. Nsalis' elec :
ton unanimous.
In accepting the Office Mr.. Nealis
said:
Gentlemen of the Common Council:
For the unexpected compliment you
have given me, return you my most sin
cere thanks. The great honor Of being
elected to preside over the deliberations of
the com mon council of this city, the fourth
in the great commonwealth of Pennsylya-