The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-07-02

IT'S prsassre - risnbss swera h
=. Last Night.
CONTEST AGAINST IR. LEWIS
John Sayers. the Defeated Assessor and
cellsctor, Bases Ills cialm on the
Statement thst Mr.. Lewis
Was Not 4 Free
hoidee.


Hall after . clock, but long before that
time friends Of the members crowded the
ROOM They were there expecting perhaps
to see the seat Of James Kane, the Demo.
cratic member OF the Fourth ward, con-
tested BY Clarence H. Holt, the defeated
Republican candidate. but thoy were dis
appointed. Mr.. Holt gave up the contest
during the afternoon, 1t WIS said. realiz-
ing that a1ght for the honor would DO
useless. John W. Mccoy of the Twelfth
ward, neither made contest Of James b.
Oberley's seat. But John Sayers contest
cd Thomas s. Lewis election to the Asses
sOr and COllecto1ship OF the Northern Dis
trict Of the city, which contest caused gen.
eral surprise.
Flowers lent their beauty to the first SOS.
sion OF the new body. On the desk Of
carnations, sweet peas and smilax, the gift
OF individual members and officers of the
Board OF Education, the president having
been member Of that body previous to
the present Office. On the desk of Mr..
Robertson was bouquet, the donator not
appending his name.
During she session City Solicitor Conrad
occupied . seat at the right of President
Leitch and within the railing sat ex. Presi-
dent Baylis and eA-Councilman McNulty,
who listened attentively and interestingly
to the organization Of the body.
Clerk Morrison called the new body to
order and read the certificate Of election of
President Leitch after which Municipal
Court Judge J. Frank Ball administered
the oath OF Office 20 the official. The oath
provides for support Of the State and to
perform The duties Of the office with in
tegrity and fidelity.
The frs. act Of the new president was to
call upon Clerk Morrison to read o state
ment from the Department of Elections
containing certificates of the elections Of
the counclimen who were then sworn into
office in the following order:
Eiyst warl-George O'Neill, D.
Second ward-Michael F. Cannon, D.
Third ward-Dennis p. Lcary, d.
Fourth ward-James Kane, d.
Fifth ward-J. W. Robertson, H.
Sixth ward-Gsorge NJ. Fisher r.
Seventh ward-HSnry W. Zebley, r.
Eighth ward-Janes H. Morris, Il.
Ninth ward-Caleb S. Watson, r,
Tenth warl-John Il. Healey, ID.
Eleventh ward-Henry h. Smith, D,
Twelfth ward-James B. Oberley, D.
Judge Ball administered tho oath in
every case with the exception Of Mr.. Zeb-
ley who affirmed.
The body being organized President
lieltch announced that any business tho
members might have for transaction was
in order, whereupon Harry r. Smith
moved that Messrs, ONeil, Leary and
LeDley be appointed committee on cred
entails and the motion prevailing the com.
mitteemen retired while Council ad.
Journed fifteen minutes at the expiration
OF which tims the committee returned
and reported that the deeds (all council.
men being required to be property hold.
ers) and certificates of the members were
correct. Mr.. Smiths motion to adopt the
report was seconded and unanimously
adopted
AT this point Mr. Leary nominated
Messrs. Smith, Cannon and Watson a
committee on rules, and the motion pre-.
valling council took another recess of tlf-
teen minutes to allow the committee to
report They recommended that the rules
which governed the old body be atloDted.
which was done after the same had been
read by the new clerk.
rhen came the surprise of the evening
Mr.. Smith presented Mr.. Savers contest
OF Mr.. Lewis Office, which the clerk read
and which was based on the statement
that MIR. Lewis had not been an owner of
unincumbered real estate OF tho value of
sooo six months previous to his election,a as
the law provides.
No comments were made whereupon
Mr. Smith moved the acceptance and fl.
ing OF the contest which was seconded.
Every Democratic member voted yea aud
inc Republicans nay, but tle latter being
III tho minority the motion prevailed.
Inc contest III the case is regarded as n
very weak one 1t has been spoken of in
the newspapers before Mr. Lewis has
owned house for mors than q year, but
had neglected 10 have the deed recorded at
the city registering bureau, He owned
Tho house, 1t was fully assessed and the
| Lakes paid. Tho decd shows the date.
J Mr.. Lewis has bonded, il III office, and will
/ remain there
Council adjourned upon the motion of
| Mr.. Smith.
The next meeting of Council will be
held Thursday night before which time
tho new committees will DO appointed.
| This is necessary in order that bust
hess can be Transacted. The new clerk
and baiiiH will not be elected until July
| 10
In reference to Mr.. Hollis position he
said this morning that he did not intend
to bother with filing contest in City
Council. He would file contest in the
superior Court he said, and some surprls
ing evidence would be brought out. Fur.
ther than this he said he would not
make any statement.
The idea is understood to be to enter
proceedings in the court for the purpose
OF compelling the Election Department. to
give him certificate of office which he
Will present to Council and demand his
seat, This is q new proceeding and the
| Democrats arc somewhat surnr,sad