The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-02
DEMOCRATS Went down
Their Candidates Defeated Upon the
Reorganization OF Councils.
MESSAGE OF MAYOR CONNELL
spoke of the Work Accomplished During
the Fiscal Year just Closed and
Made Many Wise Suggestions for
Future Government Of the City.


Routed, defeated and like a house
divided against itself, appeared the
Democrats of common council yester-
day after the reorganization for the
liscal year of 1895. They could not
patch up old differences; neither could
they WELD their majority of two votes,
which enabled the Republicans to pre-
pare and bring about new organiza-
tion to suit their own sweet fancy.
In the select branch, where only a
president was to be selected, the DEM
ocrats made no attempt to overcome
the Republican majority, and Charles
w. Westpfahl was chosen unanimously.
James j. Grier, of the Third ward,
was elected president of common coun-
ell by a majority of one. He was a
fusion candidate. Patrick j. Nealis, of
the Fourteenth ward, was the regular
Democratic caucus nominee and but
for the vote OF a boiling Republican, f..
F. Wenzel, of the Tenth ward, would
have received only nine votes out of
twenty-one.
Most Remarkable Result.
The election of II. c. Hatton to the
clerkship was a more remarkable VIC
tory than even that of the fusion candi-
date for the presidency. He was the
regular nominee of the Republicans and
defeated w. f. Mclean, the choice of
the Democrats, by three votes although
the Democratic majority in this branch
is two, not considering the vote of Mr..
Lotus, Independent.
Whan r1arl- "a
mon branch to order Simon Thomas, f..
f. Wenzel and p. j. Hickey were out
side the chambers and did not partici-
pate in the preliminary skirmish, al
though they were present during the
permanent organization. The first in
dication of what was in store for the
Nealis-McLean faction appeared in the
choice of a temporary chairman. Mr..
Grier, nominated by Mr. Norris was
chosen over Mr.. Noone, nominated by
Mr.. Battle, by the vote of 10 and s.
For Grier-Loftus, Morris, Grier, r.
Thomas, Godfrey, Moir Robinson, Sea-
mans. Oliver and Keller.
For Noone-Regan, Gilroy, Sweeney,
Nealis, Zedler, Noone, Battle and Nor
ton.
The votes for Mr.. Grier by the candi-
date himself, Mr.. Lotus, the Independ-
ent, and Mr.. Robinson, Democrat COM
prised the first shock to the Nealis
forces.
Following the selection of Mr.. Grier
for temporary chairman, the certificates
of the eleven newly elected members
We're read and the election of tempor-
ary chairman was declared in order.
Mr.. Battle Insinuatcd.
Mr.. Morris in a brief speech nominat-
ed Mr. Grier. Mr.. Battle in presenting
with a robust voice the name of Mr..
Nealis, made several insnuatlng allu-
sions derogatory TO Mr.. Grier Mr. Bat
tie said that Mr.. Nealis had always
been Democrat and one who, not like
others within sound of my voice, has
been at the beck and call of the powers
that be- Mr.. Grier received eleven
votes and Mr.. Nealis ten. Mr.. Wenzel,
Republican, voted for Mr.. Nealis, and
Mr. Lotus. Independent and Mr.. Rob-
inson, Democrat, voted for Mr.. Grier
The vote in detail is as follows:
For Grier-Loftus, Morris, Grier, S.
Thomas, r. Thomas, Godfrey, Moir
Robinson, Seamans. Oliver, Keller.
For Nealis-Regan, Gilroy, Wenzel
Sweeney, Nealis, Zeldler, Noone,
Hickey, Battle, Norton.
Mr.. Nealis' motion prevailed that the
election of Mr.. Grier be made unani-
nous.
president Grier took the oath of office,
administered by Mayor Connell, and in
turn swore in the new members.
Mr.. Battles motion to adjourn was
an evident attempt to escape the elect
ing. of clerk, but the motion was not
entertained by the chair.
Mr.. Hatton, the Republican choice,
nominated by Mr.. Moir, received II
votes, and Mr. Mclean, nominated by
Mr.. Gilroy, received 9 votes. Following
is the vote in detail:
For Hatton-Loftus, Morris, Grier, S.
Thomas, r. Thomas, Godfrey, Moir,
Wenzel, Robinson, Seamans, Oliver,
Keller
For McLean-Regan, Gilroy, Swee-
ney. Nealis, Zeidler. Noone, Hickey,
Battle, Norton.
On motion OF Mr.. Oliver the old rules
were adopted, and after Mayor Connell
had administered the oath of office to
Clerk Hatton. an adjournment was
reading of the mayors message.
Republicans Solid in Select.
The reorganization of the select
branch only occupied a few moments
and was entirely at variance with the
parliamentary sparring in the other
chamber. On Mr.. Lansing's (Rep) mo-
ton, Mr.. McCann Oem.) was the
unanimous choice for temporary chair
man.
Mr.. Fellows Rep) motion. seconded
by Mr.. Manley Oem), that Mr. West
pfahl be the president for the next
fiscal year, was carried unanimously
Mr.. Westpfahl was escorted to the
chair by special committee, Members
Durr and Fellows, and took the oath
of Office administered by the mayor.
rOvrNCUI. ACT CECCJnN