Evening journal., 1897-07-19

CANS HAVE MADE A DEAL FOR
LEDNUM FOR CLERK, AND THEY
IN TURN WILL SUPPORT MUIR
PLY FOR CLERK OF THE MAR
KET.
What will Council do toward getting
together and settling the disputes over
the city offices? This is the main
question asked in political circles to-
day. The only one who is in position |
to answer that question is Squire +
O'Neil, the Democratic member from
the First ward. II is he who holds the |
key that will unlock the mystery that
Council seems to be wrapped in. 1t is |
he whc holds the strings that will fore
tell whether the next city officers will
be Democrats or Republicans. AS it is
now, there will be no material change
in the deadlock which has fastened it.
self on Council over the Finance Com
mittee chairman. Mr.. Oberly will not
withdraw from the contest and there
is no chance Of his election until Mr..
O'Neil chooses to vote for him. This
Mr.. o Neil refuses to do, notwith-
standing the influence brought to bear
on him to support Oberly.
It will be remembered that twenty
years ago Mr.. O'Neil was considered
political Ajax. He was party worker
Of the ring-top order and the influence
which he had among the voters of the
city, especially with those of the First
ward, was powerful. The Democrat
party recognized in him one Of it's
staunch supporters, and for his services
to the party he was awarded by being
nominated for mayor, but was defeated
by Whiteley. The squire to this day
contends that his own party defeated
him because of his religion. At an
other time he was counted out for
councilman. This was the unkindest
cut of ALL" said the squire, and now
that a chance permits itself to harness
the party, he is doing so. Verify, saith
the prophet, ''if one man goeth up to
the mountain and seeth the sun shine,
he must not ask questions, but keep on
thinking, for the world moves on and
lglory goes to dust" This is the di-
lemma that now confronts the Demo-
cratic party. Squire ONeil is the
mountain; the sun is the chairman of
the universe; the six Democratic mem
bers go up the mountain. They stare;
they wonder; they ask of its meaning;
the sun speaks not, and their efforts
go to dust When the Democrats be-
gan to caucus for the finance chair
man, Messrs. Oberly and Leary were
the nominees. Mr.. O'Neil favored
Leary, but the rest Of the Democrats
: lined up for Oberly. The squire was
I asked his reason for not supporting
Oberly and he refused to state them
Harsh words followed at the caucus
and IL ended by Mr.. ONeil being told
to shut up. When the time came fol
the third caucus, the squire was alb
sent, and has refused to attend a eau
Gus since. Three special meetings wer,
! held, and after 100 ballots had been
taken there was no result, made so by
7 the Obstinacy of Mr.. O'Neil in voting
blank. The squire says that, for al
t the pains the Democratic party causeC
3 him in the best years he now repays HI
II Mr. O'Neil is a member of more com
mittees than any other member o.
/ Council He is chairman of the Public
S Building Committee; and chairman o.
G the Election Committee. He is a mem
s Der OF the Bond Committee and severa
other committees. The chairmanshil
of the Public Building Committee pay
$25 more than any other Council com
e mittse Mr. Leary, who was selected a
= Law Committee chairman, has steppe'
down and out from that position, JUS
Y to please the squire, Mr.. O'Neil sayin
o that he would vote for Mr.. Oberly if tn
= chairnanship of the Law Committe
il was given him. Now the squire say
4 that he will net vote for Oberly, an
wants Mr.. Leary to become a candidat
for The finance chairman.
Next Thursday night is the time sc
by the law for the election of the cit
offices If Mr.. O'Neil is not weane
over by that time a pretty how-de-d
4 will be the result. 1t was noised abou
last night that the Republicans hav
made deal with Mr. O'Neil. 1t be
- ing chat the Republicans would nOmi
= nate w. S. Lednum for clerk of COunci
y and with the vote of O'Neil elect hin
= The Republicans in turn to vote fc
Philip Murphy for clerk of market, VIII
- is being backed by O'Neil
- The squire is quoted with having sal
~ that he will sacrifice anything to ele,
= Murphy. The action of Mr.. O'Neil
y taking up Murphys cause has caused
~ surprise among Democrats. as he OI
posed O'Neil at the nomination, bein
y a Fagan man.
= A big fight is booked for the office {
. city auditor, now held by Isaac Pyl
- The candidates are; William Hamanl
~ ~ who was candidate for city treasure
- but was defeated by w. II. Curry; Pa
= rick Dillon, James Magee, Thomas
y. Lally and the present incumbent, NJ
:. Pyle. The fight will be between Ply
=. and Hamann, and there is no tellir
y" who will win. There is no oppositio
for the position of auditors clerk, no
held by John Boughman.
A., The fight for city treasurer's cleI
- lays between George KlOberg, II
present incumbent and Herman Fris
"a Some pick the latter a winner. The p'
~ sition pays $500 a year.
d The most sought after Office is thi
\ of coal oil inspector M. J. Kelly, Il
'e present incumbent, desires reappOin
ment. but he is opposed by Denn
Shields, j. G. Shaffer and VILLA
Brickle This is one of the best pa.
mig positions in the city. There is I
h- stated salary attached but the inspect'
E receives half cent for every gallon
oil tested. The fight will be betwee
of Kelley and Shields kelley's friends sd
lg that ne will win in a Garrison finish.