The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-09
A ROW IN THE MINORITY
Il. w. LITTLE NOT ELECTED MEM
BIER OF COMMON COUNCIL.
He Is Not EIigibIe-Nevv Democrats
Try to Override the Expert
enced Members.

siderable confusion. Councilman Shaffer
had-an abstract of the records of the Board
of Public Works showing that the nominee
of the caucus Of the Democratic members
of the Council, Edward w. Little, was in
eligible to the office inasmuch as he is the
surety on a street-improvement bond. Mr..
Shaffer reminded the Council that at the be-
ginning of the last administration the city
attorney held that Percy Tall was ineligible
to clerksF4p for this very reason. He also
cited the case where Engineer Mansfield was
compelled to resign his appointment city
engineer on the same grounds. Several of
the new members of the Council were in for
electing Mr.. Little anyway, and then find
ing out afterward whether he could hold
the office. In the midst of the confusion
that arose Councilman Madden moved that
the Council adjourn until an opinion could
be obtained from City Attorney Kern. The
motion carried by vote of IL to 9. After
Titles friends have consulted Mr.. Kern
there will probably be another caucus meet
ing, although there were indications last
night that serious disruption is pending,
and that there is likelihood of split of
the caucus
For the first time the jealousy and ILL
feeling that is brewing between the old and
new members of the majority side of the
Council was given public expression last
night. The new members of the. Council
have complained that their associates, who
have been in the body several terms, were
inclined to rule things with a high hand.
The new members concluded right away
after the Council was organized that they
might as We'll assert themselves one time as
another, and decided to show their power
by elect1ng John IL. Mahoney, one of the
new men, president of the body although
Messrs Rauch Golfer and Clark, who We're
experienced in the workings of the Council,
were willing to take the place. Then when
1t came to nominating a successor to Mr..
Montgomery the new members again made
their strength felt by nominating e. H.
Pritchard. When Pritchard declined the new
members again asserted themselves by NOM
mating Little and compelling the older
members to abide by this decision, although
it is claimed they were inclined to vote for
Joseph Bauer if they were not actually
pledged to him. The dilemma created by
Mr. Shaffers information last night at once
precipitated a fight between the factions
After reading an abstract from the Board
of Public Works. minutes, showing that
Mr. Little is one Of the two suretieS on the
bond of the contractors who made cement
walks on Rural street from Washington to
pire until March s, 1902, Mr.. Shaffer read
Section of the charter. which shows this
to disqualify the caucus nominee. This he
did after Commodore Higgins had pre-
scented the name Of the caucus nominee.
He said that he did not want to show any
discourtesy to Mr.. Little, but he felt that
mistake by electing him under the circum-
stances. This at once aroused the friends
of the other candidates who had been men
toned. Mr.. Scanlon nominated Joseph
Bauer, Mr.. Won Spreckelsen nominated
Robert j. Armstrong and Mr. McGraw pre-
sented the name of Charles M. Dickson,
each councilman stating that If the caucus
nominee could not be- voted for he desired
to present another candidate.
COMMODORE IN THE BREACH.
Commodore Higgins declared that he
did not see why the Democrats should go
back on the caucus promise, when they had
nothing to show that the nominee was in
eligible but one mans word He declared
that he believed the whole thing was a Re-
publican trick. I'VE ought to stand by our
caucus nominee until his election is de-
clared void. After that it will be time to
elect somebody else said he.
Mr.. Golfer said that there was no use
in doing the work three or four times and
for one he hoped that the Council would
avoid making such serious mistake as to
nominate and elect an ineligible man. He
referred to the case of Percy Tall who was
held Ineligible to simple clerkship on this
same ground.
Mr. Harston said that the majority had
decided to elect Little, and he thought it
ought to stand by its pledge. 1t would be
an easy thing, he said, to. get an opinion
from the city attorney, and If the election
were invalid, to elect some one else after
ward.
I'VE already have an opinion from the
Clark. 1.-The Board of Works has told us
that Little is on the bond"
when did. you find that out?" asked
it before the caucus?'
That's my business" retorted Clark.
"Gentlemeni gentlemenl" demonstrated
Chairman Mahoney tapping his gavel
Mr.. Chairman, would like to know who
Mr.. Clark refers to when he says we have
an opinion from the city Attorney asked
Mr.. Bernauer.
He means the old members" snorted
the Commodore"
Mr.. Clark explained that by 1--WE" he
meant the whole Council, as it was part
of last years record.
This talk of electing man who cannot
serve is all nonsense" said Mr.. Golfer.
Chairman Mahoney remarked that the
majority had held a caucus and decided on a
certain course. IF it is the desire of the
majority to go back on the caucus action,
it can do so,'' said he. Chairman Mahoney
was chosen chairman OF the caucus by the
In the height of the turmoil. Mr.. Won
Spreckelsen said that if the Council could
Armstrong; name. He was assured by the
president that Little could be voted for, and
Armstrong; name was withdrawn. Mr..
Moffett inquired If it would not be possible
for the city to relieve Mr.. Little from the
obligation of the bond. Mr. Golfer arose to
say that the only way. in which a bond
could be relieved would be by action of
the Council which would clearly be the
most interested party in this case. He in
sisted IfldI III would De unWlSe 10 vote Tor
Little under such circumstances. There
seemed to be no prospects of settling the
open quarrel that had developed between
the factions, and Mr. Madden'S motion to
adjourn until an opinion could be had from
the city attorney was loudly seconded
Harston, Higgins, Knight, Madden, Ma
honey, Merrick Moffett, McGrew Smith
and Won Spreekelsen. Nays-Allen. Bow
ser, Clark, Golfer, Costello, Grail, Rauch
Scanlon and Shaffer. 1t will be noticed that
Scanlon was the only one of the new mem
Journment, as the Republicans did. Mad
den was the only one of the old Democrats
who voted TO adjourn. 1t was his own mo-
ton, however. This shows pretty conclu-
siVely that the new members are arrayed
almost to a man against the old members.
shall be filled within thirty days and that
the election shall be held at a special meet
ing, to be called by the mayor, who must
give ten days notice by publication Mont
gomery resigned Oct. g. There is there
fore barely enough time for the mayor to
issue another proclamation The election
must be made at the next meeting.
THE "GREENHORNS' " CAUCUS.
After the Council adjourned the green
horns" as the new members call themselves
in mock obeisance to the old members,
whom they style Fossils" had a little eau
Gus of their own. Afterward one of the
"greenhorns' declared that there would be
no change in the situation, and that Little
will be elected unless the city attorney shall
hold that he is ineligible. Last night eleven
votes were pledged to Little through thick
and thin, and the 'greenhorns" count on
Scanlon voting with them when il comes