The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-04-04
DEADLOCK IN COUNCIL.
Failed to Elect Water Superintendent
on sixteen Ballots.


| The Borough Council is i'm deadlock and
as a result the town is left without water
superintendent. The term of Oscar Bet
teridge expired last night and in accordance
with the ordinance governing the public
water works, which provides that the water
superintendent shall be elected annually at
the first regular meeting of the Borough
Council in April, an attempt was made to
elect his successor last night, but failed after
a battle of ballots had been waged for over
two hours. 1t is impossible to say when the
superintendent will be elected as all the
parties to the deadlock appear very deter
mined and each declare with all positivcness
that there will be no surrender
The position is this Seven members of
Council want A. B. Lamb elected as supern-
! tendent, seven want to retain Oscar Bet
teridgc and the fifteenth man, Councilman
A. d. Gable, insists that his brother, Philip
H. Gable, shall be elected to fill the office.
| When President James declared the nomin-
alton in order d. X. James named A. B.
Lamb, Mr.. Gable presented the name of his
brother p H. Gable and Mr.. Coaklcy put
in the name Oscar Betteridge
Voting was done by roll call and the re-
suit was: Lamb, votes Gable1 Betteridge.
7. The President declared there was no
election and ordered another ballot. Seven
more were taken with the same result and
the President ordered a recess to give the
members a chance to confer with each other
and sec whether some conclusion could be
reached.
After a rest of 20 minutes five more ballots
were taken without changing the result and
another recess followed. The intermisson
lasted 40 minutes. At 1115 the President
directed the Councilmen to make another
effort, but three more ballots failed to break
| the deadlock.
! Mr.. Mcclure moved that Mr. Betteridge
| be instructed to remain in charge of the
| plant, and in answer to Mr. Cables question
as to the period he replied, For the year, if
! there is no objection" which created some
laughter.
Mr. Staughn raised the point that it was
mandatory on Council to elect superinten-
dent at the meeting and Mr.. Gable said that
the regular meeting should have been held
on Thursday night. President James said
the postponement to last night was by consent
Of majority of the Councilmen.
Mr. Gable moved as an amendment that
Mr.. Betteridse remain in the Office until
Council elect his successor.
Under the claim that it was mandatory for
Council to elect at the meeting the President
did not entertain the motion.
Mr.. Reese took the floor and wanted to
know why Mr.. Gable didn't come right out
and vote for the man he wants elected"
''Who is that?' asked Mr.. Gable.
why, Betterdge," answered Mr.. Reese.
' Mr. Gable denied the imputation and said he
t had voted all evening for the man he wanted
S elected, and Mr.. Lally raised point of order
that Mr.. Reese was becoming personal.
Mr. Gable had intimated that ballotinq
wouldn't change his stand if it lasted a
month.
, Finally Mr.. Boehm moved that Council
D adjourn, and it did at about the moment the
/ alarm clocks sounded the hour of y.
: The Councimen who voted for Mr. Lamb
were Messrs T. }. James, McElhcnny Boehm
Aaurgle, d. X. James, Strughn and Reese
Mr.. Bctteridge was supported by Mcssrs
McGuire, Lally, Coakley, Englert Kems
Hand and Murphy. Throughout the ballot
Z ing Mr.. Gable cast his vote for his brother.
The ,uperintendency did not occupy the
whole of the session. On the contrary con
siderable routine and other business wa,
transacted.
4 petition to have an arc light placed al
the corner Of Jardin and Coal streets was
referred to the Lamp and Watch Committee
with instructions to report at the next meet
ing and the same disposition was made of
petition for light at Coal and White streets
Health Officer Conry appeared by direction
of the Board of Health and asked tha
Council and its officials cooperate with tn,
Board in cleaning the town, especially Wes
Mulberry and East Apple alleys.
The President stated that it has alway
been the desire Of Council to cooperate witt
, the Board and that it had repeatedly urge,
the Chief Burgess and High Constable in tina
g direction and that hc would also refer tn
matter to the sanitary committee
Mr.. Boehm said Council gave a grade 70
East Apple alley last year, but the peopl
brought trouble on themselves by persistent
ly throwing ashes ON the alley and thu
divertiug the channels of waste water an,
o filth.
u President James said the officers of tn
i borough were to blame for allowing tn
4 people to dump the ashes there.
Mr.. Boehm said the properties ought to b
' connected with the sewerage in that vicinity
. Mr.. Coal,lcy complained Of a nuisance fror
II the Lehigh Valley railroad, near his proI
erty and the matter was referred TO tn
e Sanitary Committee.
e Mr. Staughn, of the Finance COMMITTEES
Is read the following list Of appropriations f
,o the fiscal year;
Due from NJ. j. seanlan...... ..:.......... slo,n9
y County Treasurer on lieense
is ey.....,................. l5,s30
,+ " Water rrcnt.....,...,.,.,.,.......,. l4,OJO
~ ." Chief urgess.....-.............. 500
NJ, Total siO579