The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-25
REORGANIZATION OF
THE CITY COUNCILS
Gossip About the Men Who Are on the
Lookout for Favors.
OFFICES THAT WILL BE FILLED
Each Branch of Council win Elect a
President, the Common Will Elect
Clerk and in Joint Sessions the
Councils Will Elect n CITY Clerk.
CITY Engineer and City SOLICITOR.
Some of the Candidates.

Even this early there is considerable
speculation as to the result of the an
nual organization of councils which
VIII take place the first Monday in
April. The Democrats have a major
ity of one vote on joint ballot but that
by no means assures them a complete
victory If the reports of their factional
strife and disagreements are true.
Select council has a Republican ma
jority of one vote and the common
branch Democratic majority of two
votes. On joint ballot that would give
the latter party choice majority.
In the select branch there has devel-
oped no differences in the Republican
wing and with it will probably have no
difficulty in electing it's caucus nomi-
nee. Mr.. Durr, OF the Eighth ward,
and w. j. Thomas, of the Fourth, have
been mentioned as candidates under
the impression that President Sander
son will decline a nomination. Mr..
Durr has said he would not accept the
honor and Mr.. Thomas has given no
positive indication that he would do so.
Both are ardent workers in the interest
of their respective wards and would
prefer to remain on the floor
MIR. LANSING MENTIONED.
Since his advent in councils Mr.. Lam
sing, the Republican member from the
Seventeenth, has by his broad business
insight, non -partisanship, talent and
modesty won the respect and esteem
OF all his fellow members. That he
VIII eventually be the Republican
nominee was assured Tribune report
er at the city hall yesterday by a
gentleman well versed in city affairs.
If he is nominated it is not certain
that the Democrats will present a cam
didate; If they do, it is not improbable
that Thomas j. Coyne, the young mem
Der from the Twentieth, will be the
man. The nomination would, however,
be only in the nature of a compliment
and in recognition of his personal
worth.
In common council matters are in a
chaotic state and it is difficult to get
line on the final outcome. President
Grier, of the Third, is candidate for
reelection and eX-President Nealis, of
the Fourteenth is looked upon as the
caucus nominee. The Republicans are
in the dark as to the result of the
Democratic split and are undecided
whether or not they will name a cam
didate.
Captain Moir, of the Ninth, who is
an eX-president, would be the most
probable Republican nominee. Who
the Democrats would name for city
solicitor is a question. Either ex-City
Solicitor l. II. Burns, Cornelius Com
eys or d. j. Reedy might be a cam
didate. Ex-senator Mcdonald has been
mentioned, also. City Solicitor Torrey
has given such an excellent and busi-
ness-like administration of the office of
solicitor that there is good reason
to suppose that he will succeed himself.
City Clerk Lavelle is another man who
will succeed himself
There is no likelihood that City En-
gineer Phillips will be deposed. His
knowledge of the requirements of his
office is so complete that only a few
of the most rabid Democrats would
risk an attempt to put in his place
an engineer inexperienced in city work.
Henry Hatton, Republican, the pres
ent incumbent, and eX-clerk John Ma
hon, a Democrat, are candidates for
the common council clerkshp. If his
tory repeats itself there will be other
aspirants for the position, but at the
hour of reorganization it will probably
be found that Mr.. Hatton and Mahon
will be the only ones in the field.