The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-06
GLEASON BEGINS HIS FIGHT.
Asks the Court to Reverse the Queens
County Democratic Committee.

County Democratic Committed.
Former Mayor Patrick ]. Gleason OF Long
Island City, made the first move yes
terday in the fight to compel the Queens
County Democratic Committee to restore
tho old-timo method Of primary voting.
Through his counsel +. II. Van Vechten OF
Jamaica. application was made to Supreme
Court Justice wilmot NJ. Smith for an order to
reverse the action OF the County Committee.
The application for the order is made under
tho provisions OF Chapter 473 Of the Election
Laws OF 1890. Among other things II Is
asserted In the application that tho plan pro-
mulgated rs an attempt on the part OF the
General Committee OF the Borough OF Queens.
by trick and device. to deioat tho legal rights
OF residents in each OF said wards to elect their
own representatives upon the General Com
mittee. and to control the representation In the
said General Committee"
the application states that the largest part OF
the Democratic vote 10 located in the First
Ward OF the borough. which comprises Long
Island City and the old town OF Newtown. where
the enrolled Democratic vote exceeds tho
numb enrolled in both the Third and Fourth
Wards. which will result in the First Ward
practically electing the whole ticket The APP
plication also sets up the claim that = section
OF Queens county Is not included in the bor-
GU Oh. and that voters In this section will have
the privilege OF voting for committeeman and
others who will serve in the borough.
The section referred to as being outside the
borough yet In the county OF Queens 10 q small
strip near Far Rockaway which was out of
from the borough by the last Legislature. but
1t 10 alleged that no provision was made for
annexing II to Nassau county. SO that It Ia still
in Queens county. although this contention
has as yet not been tested In the courts.
Having taken the initiative in fighting the
action OF the General Committee. Mr.. Gleason
Ia arranging to place ticket in the field for
the entire borough. In an interview last night
he asserted that no CONT ination would be
formed with any faction or party. and that his
party will take tho field alone. He 10 conf
dent that the General Committee order for q
blanket ballot will be annulled by the courts.
when he will go ahead and make his fight In
each OF the different wards. Should he fail.
however. in obtaining q reversal OF the Gen.
eral Committees action the fight will 60 on
Just the same. and he will place an opposition
blanket ticket In the field. He also denies that
he has any intention Of forming 4 com bination
with either the followers Of County Clerk John
H. Sutphin or those OF Councilman Joseph
Cassidy.
Both tho Cassidy and Sutphin forces are out
against John p. Maiden. the present leader Of
OF the borough. Under blanket ballot rrim-
airy they would scarcely have a fighting chance.
but voting on the district or ward plan they
can probably carry of enough delegates and
com mitteemen to make 1t very embarrassing
for the Maddenites. Mr.. Madden. the leader
OF the borough. is at Saranac Lake. He ia OK
| pected home shortly to assume personal CON-
troll Of tho fight.