The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-16

The four members of the board Of
public works sat at their desks yesterday
afternoon. nummed little tunes, made
observations about the weather, or wan
defed idly about the court house; in
other words, did almost anything Dut
organize, elect president of the board
and city engineer. No business can he
transacted until a president Is elected,
and there is possibility, not by any
means a probability, however, that the
Whole machinery of the city government
may be put out of gear, for the board of
PUBIC works plays an important part in
the municipal economy. 1t is possible for
the present condition on the board to con-
t1nue for year, at the end of which time
the mayor can appoint successors to John
SandeN and E. l.. Mabon. 1t is an inter-
esting question to try and decide who is
responsible and who should bear the
blame If this condition of affairs should
continue indefinitely, to the detriment of
the city.
Mr.. Sandell and Mr.. Mabon, it Is said,
are clearly within their prerogative in
holding out for whom they see fit for
president, and so it would seem were Mr..
Ames and Mr.. Pottgieser, were 1t not for
the fact that back of Messrs. Ames and
Pottgieser stands Mayor Kiefer, who
practically says: IT appointed you two
out my wishes in relation to president
and city engineer
Mayor Kiefer and Messrs. Ames and
Pottgieser spent the entire morning, from
to 1890, together. and that they could
find no solution Of their several difficult
ties was generally believed. 1t was re-
ported that Mr.. Ames showed an inclina-
ton to join with Sandell and Mabon, and
that even the mayor could not hold him
In line
petition was presented to the board
yesterday, signed by the members of the
water board, asking the reappointment of
Mr.. L. w. Rundlett as city engineer
sENG HOLDS ON.
Without waiting for the formality of an
appointment, Robert H. Seng has made
all arrangements to hold down the Of
flce of assessor, for another year at
least and yesterday announced the ap-
pointment of Henry P. Yost as his dep
uty TO succeed w. c. Smith.
1t is now thought that Auditor John
son intends to stand by his original an
ncuncement that he would vote for Mr.
Seng for assessor, and, in the absence
OF any agreement as to a successor be-
tween mayor and auditor Mr. Seng
continues to hold office, and If he has
Mr.. Johnson's Endorsement he is as Sc
cure in his position as if formally re-
| appointed. The incident is probably
closed, as 1t would be useless for Mayor
k1efer to suggest a name for the office
and 1t is not definitely known that he
has had candidate for the position
In fact, there was a report current three
months ago, and printed at the time
that the mayor and auditor would agree
to disagree, and allow Mr.. Seng to re-
main undisturbed.
This will be Mr.. Songs third term He
was chosen four years ago as a COM
promise between Democratic mayor
and Republican auditor, and two years
ago the votes of Mayor Doran and Au.
ditor Sullivan retained him in office.
Henry P. Yost is an Eighth wardel
and has ever been an ardent politica
supporter of Auditor Johnson. He was
the choice of the Eighth ward precinct
| committeeman and was Endorsed by Mr.
Johnson, hence his appointment.