Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-07-27
CITY COUNCIL IN A DEADLOCK
Failed to Elect Officers at Its
Meeting Last Thursday.
THREATS TO BOLT FULFILLED
Cheers From Some, and Kisses
From Others.
Two Ballots for Clerk of Council Taken,
Each Resulting IN Six Votes for james
Thompson, Four for william p. Morrison
and Three for William Il. Deer.

the meeting of City Council last Thurs
day to elect the slate, which was selected |
by six Democratic members the pre-
yious night. The Democratic members
who we're opposed to the candidates
named in caucus declined to support
them and bolted when they were put
to the test at the meeting of Council,
and as the three Republicans were
with them when it came to matter
of adjournment, the meeting came to a
rather abrupt termination and very
little time was allowed for maneuvr-
ing on the part Of those who desired to
have the slate go through. Messrs.
Willis of the First ward, Kane of the
Fourth, Mousley of the Ninth and
Smith of the Eleventh bolted, hence
the failure to elect, only six members,
less than majority Of Council, favor
ing slated nominees.
A great deal of interest was mani
tested and there was much disappoint-
ment on the part of nominees, their
friends and other politicians over the
failure to elect the slate, while others
were pleased, believing that a new
slate will be necessary in order to
accomplish anything. Council chamber
was filled to suffocation with poll
tioians, some interested and others
disinterested persons, about 400 people
being outside the railing, while many
others waited outside of the building
to hear the result.
1t was apparent early in the evening
that the members who had intimated
that they would bolt the caucus
nominees would carry out their threat,
and much missionary work was done
before the meeting, which was half an
hour late in converting. The caucus
nominees and their friends in and out
of Council were as busy as bees en-
deavoring to convince tho opposing
councilmen that they should stand by
the caucus slate. At one time, for a
few minutes, the Democratic members
were closeted in Mayor Fahey's office,
and it was limited that an effort was
being made to overcome the obstacle
by making some changes on the ticket
1t was reported that overtures were
made, but if such was the case it had
no effect, for determination charac-
terized the face of each man as he
filed into Council chamber after the
conference, indicating that the con-
ference had been Intellectual.
This belief was soon verified, for at
$40 O'Clock, 10 minutes after Council
convened and after the routine bust.
ness had been disposed Of, Mr. Kane
arose and with a frown on his face
which indicated that he was not at all
pleased with the situation, called the
attention of the members to the fac
that the time had arrived for filling
certain city Offices and moved tina
Council go into nomination ant
election of an auditor. AS soon as h,
had finished speaking Mr.. Smith re
minded him that there were bids il
the box for furnishing coal for the cit
crematory and at. Mr.. Smiths reques
he withdrew his motion long enougl
to allow the bids to be opened and tn
matter referred 10 committee.
Immediately after this had been dis
posed of Mr.. Kane was on his fee
again and moved that Council go int
a nomination and election Of cler
of Council. The motion was dull
Cannon Of the Second ward nominate
James Thompson Of the Eighth war
for the position. Mr.. Fisher of tn
Sixth ward nominated William L
Deer, Republican, after which Nj
Kane arose, and, addressing the chat
said
"Mr. President, ! nominate Pet
Morrison. Mr.. Kahe meant Villa
P. Morrison, the present incumben
and after somebody had called b
attention to the fact that Mr.. Mo
risson's name is William P. Morrisso
he corrected himself, saying: II mea
William P. Morrison. It's Morrisso
anyway. You know who l mean {
an undertone to the person who b;
corrected bim).
1t was generally thought no 9th
nominations would be made and Pres
A los ta1
Oberly and Fisher tellers, but befo
a ballot was taken Mr.. Kane placed
nomination, in addition to his 9th
nominee, Mr.. Morrison, Charles
Ten Weeges Of the Fifth ward, who
chief of the real estate registry burea
and who, at one time. was thought
be sure winner in the race for Gle
of Council.
On the first ballot Mr.. Thompson
ceived six votes, Mr.. Morrison fc
and Mr.. Deer three. Another bal
was Immediately taken and result
the same as the first, except that
Ten Weeges received one vote and \
Morrison three. In each instal
Messrs. Willis, Kane, Mousley a
Smith voted in opposition to the sla
nominee, and as Mr.. Thompson fai
to receive majority of the votes
nounced that there had been
election.
As soon as the result of the secc
ballot had been announced Mr.. Ii
moved that Council adjourn. Z
motion was seconded by Mr.. Smi
This brought Mr.. Cannon to his fe
He said there was important busir
on hand and he hoped the mot
would not be entertained, but it
in order and there was nothing for
chair to do but entertain it, as Mes
Kane and Smith insisted upon it.
Smith called for yea and nay "
but the chair evidently misunderst
him, for a rising vote was order
Mr.. Pierson of the Fifth ward
talking at the time to Former Coun
man Robertson and did not vote,
result being that the motion was
by tie vote, six to six, Messrs Wi
Kane, Mousley, Smith, Stewart
Fisher voting in the affirmative.
When the chair announced that
motion had been lost Mr.. Can
moved that az Mr.. Thompson had
ceived more votes than any Of
nominee he be declared elected.
motion was not seconded and the Ct
did not entertain it. While sew
members friendly to the slate '
considering as to what the next n
should be Mr.. Smith moved
Council adjourn, which motion
carried by the following vote:
Ayes-Messrs. Willis, Kane, Nous
Smith. Plerson, Fisher and Stewart
Nays-Messrs. Cannon, Monagl