The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-10
WAxED VERY WR0TH
MAYOR DORIAN FURIOUS WHEN HE
HEARD THAT THE WATER
BOARD
REFLECTED ITS OFFICERS.
WANTED SOME POLITICAL FRIENDS
TO SECURE CAULr ...IsD'S AND
STARkEY'S PLACES.
HE COULDN'T GEORGE 8EMENT
Wanted to do Something Different
But Hadn't the Backbone to
Do So.

Mayor DOran was much exercised
yesterday over theSannual election held
by the members Of the board of water
commissioners. His honor has now
reached a stage in city affairs where
he is willing TO sacrifice everything in
order to make himself solid for a
second term In the latter part OF
December the question of who would
succeed Messrs. Bement and Lndeke
as members of the board was discussed
by the mayor and his advisers. 1t was
argued that in order to bring about
the desired denomination of his honor,
ii would be necessary to throw all to
the winds and make appointments and
fill vacancies only with Republican
politicians who could be called upon at
the proper time to help with strong
pull. President Bement, who had been
or the board of water commissioners
for five years, and during a large pOr-
ton of the time had acted as president
of the board, was not we'll thought of
by the mayor although a good Repub-
lican. There was no doubt as to the
ability and fitness of Mr.. Bement for
the position, but this fact really cut
but little figure in the case. Some one
was wanted who would pull for a
second term and pull hard. 1t was de-
cided that it would be good policy to
reappOint A. H. Lindeke, turn down
Bement and give his place to John FL.
WOlterstOrff, statesman from the
First ward. This was informally dis
cussed and decided upon.
In the meantime Mr.. Lindeke learned
about Dorans scheme, and realizing
that the failure to reappOint Mr.. Be
ment would be a great loss not only
to the water board, but also to the
city, he adopted a heroic course. A
letter was sent Mayor Doran inform
ing him that Mr.. Lindeke would not
be able to attend to the duties of a
member of the board, owing to business
affairs The result was that Bement
and WOlterstOrff were named as the
members Of the board. WOlterstorff
was given his commission on Jan. 1,
but in the case of Mr.. Bement. while
the commission was made out on that
date, it was held back pending a con-
sultatiOn between Mr.. Bement and the
mayor. The mayor wanted a change
in the officers of the board, and par
ticularly as to the secretary and SUI
perintendent. Mr.. Bement called at the
mayors Office and it was mildly Sug
sgested that the mayor would like,
since he had reappOinted Mr.. BemenL,
to have a new man selected for secre-
tary of the board in place of Mr. Caul
field. Mr.. Bement wouldn't hear to
this and stated that the present Sec
rotary was almost Indispensable to the
beard. The mayor heSitated and said
he hardly knew what to do in the
matter. 1t is reported that Mr.. Bement
rose to the occasion and in very plain
words told the mayor he could keep
his commission and do what he pleased
with it. but under no circumstances
would he agree to make any dicker
over appointments in order to be re-
appointed. Rather than have the in
side of the deal made public the mayor
weakened and issued the commission.
At the annual meeting yesterday the
board reelected the old officials, includ-
ing Mr.. Bement as president; J. T.
Hoyt, as vice president; John Caulfield,
secretary. and A. R. Starkey, as super
intendent This action annoyed the
mayor greatly, especially the selection
of Caulfield and Starkey. 1t is report
ed that the mayor, when the news had
been carried to him, WaXed Wroth and
laid down his ultimatum that the Re
publican party was good enough for
him and that the way to perpetuate
the party in power was to appoint only
Republicans on guard. He said Mr..
Caulfield might be indispensable to the
board, but there were others who could
do the work and good Republicans too.
The mayor will have another Whirl at
the board next year and If he can ar
range matters to suit himself in the
next twelve months there will then be
a change in the officers, if there is not
before.