The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-24
TOO many ARE AMBITIOUS
Great Struggle Among the unterri-
fled fer the SpOiIs.
HARD TASK BEFORE BAILEY
hundreds Expect to Receive Appoint.
men,s from iiim-There viii lie u
Big Stfusele for the Position
of Chief. of. Police.

experience during that time VIII pre-
pare him for what he may expect when
he becomes mayor of Scranton.
Already the hord OF place seekers Is
on his trail and are beginning TO make
his life miserable with their impUrtiiu-
ings for positions in the different de-
partments of the city governments.
During the campaign promises We're
made right and left to everyone who
had influence enough to get u vote and
now every man Jack of them is COM
ing forward to claim what he feels he is
justly entitled to--a redemption of the
promise. ''' .-
1t is estimated that there are fully
1000 men in the city who expect to wear
brass buttons and swing policeman's s
club under the incoming administration
and when all of these reinforced by
friends of high and low degree get In
full chase after Mr.. Bailey and those
who made promises in his name it is
apparent that there is annoyance galore
in store for q number of men who dab
BILE in the great American game of
politics.
The police department is by no means
the only one in which men have been
promised positions. Many expect to be
cared for in the fire department or un-
der the street commissioner and not "a
with view to succeeding Sanitary Po-
liceman Burke. Food Inspector Thomas
and Detective Dyer.
Candidates for Chief OF Police.
The candidates for chief of police are
already actively pressing their claims
for recognition. AT present Frank Rob-
ling, deputy United States marshal,
leads the procession. He started full tilt
after the Office the moment Mr. Bailey's
election was assured and has the back
ing of August and Charles Robinson. as
well as of Postmaster +. NJ. Wand
ling, Frank Thompson and Il number
of other Democrats who have been un-
der the ban of the party's displeasure
for some time. If Mr.. Bailey wants to
begin administration by giving a NOR
of his party he will appoint Mr.. Rob
ling. That is the very thing he is likely
to do many well informed Demo .rats
believe. One Of them in speaking to "A.
Tribune reporter yesterday said:
If the Robinsons insist on the ap-
pointment of Mr. Robling | don't see
how Mr.. Bailey can refuse to do SO.
They contributed liberally to defray his
campaign expenses this year and also
rendered him great assistance when he
ran for sheriff. The mayor-elect is not
ness and II they press Mr. Roblings
suit II is not likely that they will he
turned down. II he does appoint him
] feel sorry for the mayOr-elect. His
path will not be strewn with roses"
Other candidates for chief of police
are John j. Shea, eX-cOunty detective,
and Joseph Taylor of the West Side
The names Of P. j. Carroll. of Bellevue,
and John Fitzsimmons have also been
mentioned. The name of Mr.. Fitzsim-
mons Is also frequently mentioned In
connection with the Office of captain of
police. compromise will probably be
affected by which one Of the disappoint-
ed candidates for chief will be made q
captain in case that office is continued
Clerk or the Common Council.
There Is the liveliest kind of fight
on for the office of clerk of the common
council. Among those whose names
are mentioned for the position are
James c. Danish, John ]. Gordon, d. J.
Moriarity, John ]. Ctfnpbll, NJ. j.
OToole and William Mclean. The lat
ter was clerk of the common council
during the fiscal year 1884
=. j. Hickey, the member of the COM
mon council from the Nineteenth ward
wants to be chief of the fire depart
ment. and A. T. Detweiler. of Provi-
dence; Harvey Long; Of the central ci:v,
and several others have a similar am
bition
John j. Fahey has been mentioned for
the position of chief of police and street
commissioner, but says he does not
want either. Daniel +. Battle is not so,
he would have no hesitancy whatever
in accepting the position of street COM
missioner, and his friends say that it
would be a graceful act on the part of
hA no 10,
ticket to provide u snug berth for him.
Attorney John NJ. Corbett Is a candi-
date for the position of private secre-
tary to Mayor Bailey. There are 9th.
erS who have an eye on the same office
and Corbett will be fortunate IL he does
not get the marble heart about April l.
In the Other departments.
There are already or soon will be in
Vulnerable applications for positions
under the city treasurer and city con-
troller. John j. Gaffney is possibility
for deputy city controller and P. J.
Ruane for deputy city treasurer. A
large body of the young Democrats of
the West Side will urge the appoint
ment Of William Haggerty. of the Fifth
ward, as food Inspector to succeed Rich
ard Thomas. Every other position that
is available Is eagerly eyed by the Of
flee seekers and there will he no lack
of talent ready and anxious to fill them.
The Office hunters are all baSing their
calculations on the assumption that
Mr.. Bailey will make a clean sweep
when he goes into Office. He will find
it entirely impracticable to do so. cir
cumstance which will be apt to involve
him in unpleasantness with the spoils
seekers. Scranton. during recent years,
has been getting down to = ,,,u-e solid
business basis each year, and men have
been retained year in ana year out
through different changes of adminis-
tration because they We're qualified and
experienced men whom it would not he
good business policy to change. That
policy has been steadily bringing the
departments of the city government to
a high standard of excellence in the
matter of transacting public business.
The system employed in well ordered
business houses has been applied to the
city government, and any radical de-
parture from it made at once by Mr..
Bailey after going into office would
seriously embarrass his administration
at the start.
To expedite the work of doing out
the spoils and to make each appoint
ment as satisfactory rs possible, COM
mittee of the Democratic leaders has
been appointed to consider all applica-
tions for positions.
Their decision is supposed to be ac-
cepted by the man having the appoint
ing power.