The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-04

Let the hoi polloi stand from under
The aldermen. justices of the peace,
constables and deputy constables have
decided to band themselves together,
in hide-bound criss-cross, touch-one-
touch-all organization. They do this
for mutual protection--for fear some
one might not understand their pur-
poses.
The idea was concocted and given its
first push at meeting in Durr's hall,
Lackawanna avenue, yesterday after
noon. The meeting was to have been
a regular business session of the Coun-
ty Constables' association and it's pri-
NAL object was to take steps to have
various OF their wrongs righted. Only
scattering handful of the poor down
trodden conservators of the peace, how
ever put in an appearance and the idea
of doing the turning-worm act was de-
spairingly given up.
Aldermen and justices of the peace
throughout the county had been invited
to attend the meeting and the pres
ence of two of these officials, Alder
man John T. Howe, of the Seventeenth
ward, and Squire William Mason, OF
Blakely, suggested the idea of a
broader and probably stronger organ
ization. BY unanimous consent the
County Constables' association was
disbanded and the new and as yet un-
named organization arose-yes, Phoe-
nix-lke-from it's ashes.
BARRON CHAIRMAN.
Richard Barron, president of the con-
stabulary, was continued as temporary
chairman of the new society and AL
derman Howe was made it's treasurer.
Constable j. f. Woelkers, of the
Eleventh ward, who was secretary of
the constables, did not attend the meet
ing, and his absence had much to do
with the disruption of the association,
his fellows becoming discouraged and
disgruntled, it is said, because the Sec
retary never got around to tell them
how much they owed for dues and the
like. Mr.. Woelkers had been specially
besought to attend yesterdays meet
ing and in the hopes that he might put
in an appearance the opening of the
meeting was postponed for over an
hour and half.
mo use waiting for him." chimed in
the diminutive but ever faithful pre-
server of all that's good and virtuous
in the Fifteenth ward. He owes me
six dollars and he won't come here
when I'm here"
well, let's go on without him." sug-
gested President Barron, and on they
went.
When the old society had been truly
killed and the new one started on it's
way, suggestions came thick and fast
as to the matter of plan and scope.
CITnTrT II JnTNT
1t was finally agreed in an informal
way that the magistrates and officers
should join forces, promulgate to the
world that what was the hurt of one
was the concern of all, and stand on
this platform, back to back, against
the whole world, and particularly the
fee-shaving county commissioners
clerk, Charley Wagner, and his heart
less accomplice, County Solicitor
Knapp.
The particular outrage which these
poor downtrodden fellows will first
give their attention to is the recent
decision Of Solicitor Knapp that alder
men, justices of the peace and con-
stables are not entitled to costs in
cases where the mulcted one is re-
turned non est inventus by the sheriff.
The constables say that Judge Knapp
is parleying through his chapeau as
far as the legal aspect of the matter
goes and that it is clearly an act of
injustice to deprive them of their hard
and honestly earned fees when the
sheriff and other county officials inter-
ested are not called upon to likewise
suffer. IF the sheriff gets his fee in
those cases." they say, 1--WE ought to
get ours"
1t was decided to select Attorney
Richard j. Bourke as counsellor. He
is to secure the charter, edit the con-
stitution and bylaws and take care of
all the legal bother that the members
of the organization can rake up, par
ticularly giving his attention to fee bill
fights.
1t was decided to adjourn for perma-
nent organization until a week from
next Sunday, but when the quas-dese-
Grafton of holding Sunday meetings
was suggested, the date was changed
to Wednesday evening, Oct. 20.