The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-05-06
ALDERMEN ORGANIZE.
M. ]. O'Donnell Elected City
Clerk-Vreeland, Roede
and Kelly Get the
Other Places.
THE COMMITTEES APPoIN TED
Republicans Took the Change With
Good Nature and the DEM
ocrats We're Wild With
Enthusiasm.
THE COMMITTEES APPOINTED


years since the Board has been in Demo-
cratic hands, and that fact was con-
sidered just cause for celebration.
The dingy old Aldermanic Chamber was
converted into a veritable floral bower.
The Aldermen had been generously re-
membered by their friends and as a con-
sequence their desks were burdened with
beautiful and expensive floral pieces AL
derman Moran of the First ward was per-
maps the most fortunate member. From
The famous old Aresseoh Association he
received a horseshoe standing four feet in
height and about three feet wide 1t was
filed, with white roses. The Klikow Bow
ling Club remembered him with an i'm
mense basket of violets and friends fur
nished two more baskets of roses. Every
Democratic member received two or more
floral pieces. The lonely Republicans were
not entirely forgotten. Some of them were
given bouquets. With enthusiastic Demo-
Gratis the lobby was packed. So anxious
were they to see what would happen in
side the railing Mat they stood on the top
of desks in the Tax Commissioners en-
closure and mounted tables and benches
The lookers-on had long wait. 1t was
President Simpson raped for order.
They're off," shouted on enthusiast in
the lobby. The remark caused consider
able merriment and President Simpson
Joined in the laugh.
The first roll call showed only fifteen
members present. This apparently caused
'.Christy' Smith alarm. He got it into
his head that the Republicans would elect
men to fill the four offices in the gift of
the Board before the Democrats were in
their seats. 1t did not occur to s'Christy''
that the Republicans are not enough in
numbers te have quorum and conse-
quently are unable to transact any busi-
ness. The missing Democrats were sum-
moned and when they had ben recorded
as present, the performance began.
Without a break of any moment the
offices in the gift of the Board were dis
tributed as follows:-
Michael J. O'Donnell, City Clerk; DR.
Edgar Vreeland, City Marshal; A. Ed
ward Roede, Inspector Scales, Weights
and Measures; Edward Kelly, Building
Inspector
These gentlemen were agreed upon at
conference, not caucus, held previous
to the meeting in the City Clerks Office.
Alderman William Calnon the leader
of the majority, announced that the only
object of the conference was to take an
informal vote. When asked if the vote
would be binding, he replied in the mega
tive and explained that the courtesy of
making nomination in the open meeting
was extended to everyone. The accept
ance of this privilege caused many people
to think that certain members had "bolt-
ed the caucus.''
When President Simpson called for the
nomination of candidates for City Clerk,
Michael J. ODonnell was named by AL
dernan Hauck. The nomination was sec
onded by half dozen members.
Alderman Vermllye, for the Republi-
cans said some very pretty things, i'm
portant if true, about the present in
cumbent, Edward w. Woolley, and plac-
ed him in nomination.
At this stage of the proceedings, amidst
motions that the nominations close, AL
derman Weis of the Tenth ward took
advantage of the conference agreement
clerk in the City Clerks office.
President Simpson appointed Aldermen
Cainon and Vermilye tellers. The eQec-
tion was by ballot. O'DonneH received
l6 votes and Woolley 6. There was one
blank Alderman Knoeller happened to
be out of the room, and Alderman Scott
got in little too late to vote When
the vote was announced there was wild
applause from the lobby, which lasted
nearly five minutes. President Simpson
pounded for order. but he was unable
to check the enthusiastic Democrats.
Nominations for City Marshal were next
called for. The Democratic leader. AL
derman Calnon, placed the name of Ed
gar Vreeland in nomination, and Alder
man Vermilye, for the other side be-
slowed the honor of denomination upon
Tnt (Nra aI1o7, hall 4f,7rr
quickly, and the result showed 1S for
Vreeland, for Graham and one blank.
The next office to be filled was that of
Building Inspector. The Republicans
were in the field first this time and
George M. Jones, the present incumbent,
was nominated. Alderman James Burns
named Edward Kelly. The conference
agreement was again taken advantage
OF, this time by Alderman Scott. In
brief but forcible speech he, named James
Ludlow, man whose Democracy no one
could question, he said.
With these three nominees balloting
began. Kelly received II votes, Jones 6
and Ludlow 2. Aldermen Scott and Weis
voted for Ludlow
This afforded another chance for the
1ookers-on to give vent to their feelings.
They cheered with will until called to
order by President Simpson, who laugh
ingiy declared that he would have to put
''Nitrf yelled some one. This sgvas fol-
lowed by storm of suggestions relative
to presiding at inaugural meetings.
When quiet was restored nominations
for Inspector of Scales, Weights and
Measures were called for. Edward Roede
was nominated by Alderman Guiton, and
the motion was seconded by dozen
Democrats The Republicans, through
their spokesman. Alderman Vermilye,
nominated the present Inspector, John
Weaste1l. With a view of giving friends
a complimentary vote, Alderman Scott
nominated Richard Searles AMP Alderman
Wess, Peter Cavanagh- The balloting
rave Roede 1t: Weastell. g.; Searles, l,
and CavaEagh, ].
Alderman Calnon. the energetic leader,
was In 4 state of mind. He was hustling
abollt like a chicken with its head off
All the evening. He wanted everything
fo pass off smoothly. and he accomplished
his purpose in creditable manner. He
had attended to every detail, even the.
making of new rules. There was only
one important change. 1t relieved the
chairman of the difficult task of Great
Ing committees without any show Of par
4isjifv The new rules were adopted by
{ q '1,Ia 1ain1ous vote, the Republicans there
by admitting that their old rules required
Fa1'S'i Via5 was to be on the committees was
= question that 1det5aaE l4Qsel sst tiled