The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-03-07
COUNCIL ORGANIZES.
The Democratic Caucus Slate Goes Through
without a Break

ulBnl, anu on tne same OASIS as tOreShadOWed
in the HERALD, the Democratic slate going
through without break The re-orgauiza-
tion was preceded by meeting Of the old
Council for the purpose Of winding up the
business of the fiscal year Of 1883
All members of the old body, with the
exception of Mr. Engert, were in atten.
dance, namely: Messrs. Mcclure, Stnughn,
James, Coakley, Magarge Boehm, Rell.
Neiswenter, Brennan, Laly, Murphy. Har-
kins, Hand, Shoemaker The recently
elected members, Messrs. Thomas Tracy ana
David Howells, were also present.
The unfinished business was limited. The
following bills were paid: A. II. Swain.
! $50 20; c. S. Reichart, SIS; Mrs. Fallon, 50.
Mr.. Lally asked that the statement fur
nished by the Finance committee at the last
meeting be corrected to show a balance of
S028.21 due on the water duplicate of Oscar
| Betteridge. Upon motion Of Mr.. Bell the
correction was made
The old Council then adjourned sine die
and Chief Burgess Tabor then administered
the oath Of office to the reelected and new
members Of Council. The membership of
the body as it now stands is as follows First
ward-Willam Mcclure. Daniel Coakley,
Thomas Tracy. Second ward-F. T.. Ma
garrle, NJ. w. Shoemaker and John p Boehm.
Third ward-C. 4. Straughn, David r. James
and William Neiswenter. Fourth ward
Michael Brennan, Joseph Bell and David
Howalls. Fifth ward-Patricl1 Hand, Sr.,
Peter Harkins and Edward Murphy.
REORGANIZATION.
Councilman Bell was the mouth piece for
the Democratic members He made all the
nominations and led the debates in opposi.
tion to anything that, to his mind, did not
harmonic with the conclusions of the Demo-
cratic caucus.
Mr. Coakley was made temporary chair
man and James J. Coakley, temporary secre-
tary, after which the election of permanent
officers was proceeded with
| Mr.. Mcclure was nominated for President
and Councilman James nominated Council
man Straughn. Mr.. Mcclure was elected by
a vote of to 7.
After he election of President the Citizens
members refTained from making nomina-
tlons or voting for any of the nominees.
The following elections were then made
Secretary, James J. COakley; Treasurer, T. J.
Mullahy; Solicitor, NJ. NJ Burke, ESQ ;
Supervisor William Brennan Chief of
Police, Patrick Murphy; 1st Lieutenant,
Martin Mullahy; 2nd Lieutenant, Martin
/ AOJiSi Aob L dAlplIldH, d6OfEe UraltlS
! Immediately after the election of Mr..
Traits MIR. Straughn moved that the police
force for the ensuing year cousti-
tute four members. Mr.. James sec
Onded the motion, whereupon Mr.. Straurhn
arose to define his position and said my
belief, in making that motion, is that there
has been considerable opposition because OF
the police force consisting of seven members.
| hot baa
history of this borough prior to last ear, and
l don't believe that the reports of depreda.
tiOns have diminished. 1t was an addition
of S1,s00 that the taxpayers of this town
had to pay. don't believe it is in accordance
with their ideas. Every member of thi.
Council knows the financial condition of the
borough. He knows that we have S25 OOC
tied up in litigation, and we cannot expect t.
get this soon and, with the other expense.
and disbursements, the borough will moi
stand the pressure. / believe this is detri
mental to the interests of the taxpayers and
we are going foreign to their wishes in in
creasing the police force"
Mr.. BOehm spoke against the burdenina
of taxpayers with unnecessary expense in a
large police force, when four men can do the
same work and as effectively.
Mr.. Coakley said 81 am surprised at Mr.
Straughn. He was a member of Council
when they had five on the police force, and
the times were not as hard as they are al
present. Why didn't he cut them down tc
four some years agO?" Mr. Coakley added
that 1t was proposed to elect six this year in
stead of seven. This" he said, lis some.
thing the borough has not seen before. We
have had lots of trouble and it is getting
worse every day, and don't see how Mi
Straughn voted for five when they were not
needed as much as at present."
Mr.. James argued that two years ago the
borough was in better financial condition Ia
carry five police than it is to carry six, OF
seven, to-day, and Mr.. Coakley was one OF
the members of Council who said, that under
no consideration, would he sanction putting
more than four members on the force this
year; or FIVE at the most.
Mr.. Coakley replied that he made no such
declaration,
Mr.. Bell said Council was justified in
putting on six policemen, because he thought
it proper, if only to look out for fires. He
added that he was in favor of putting on tel
policemen that Shenandoah has as big {
field TO cover as Pottsville. and that town ha,
nine.
Nh. Straughn's motion was finally put and
defea ted by vote of to Z, and motion By
Mr.. Bell that the police force consist of s1
members was carried.
The following elections were then made il
the slme manner as the proceeding elections
the Citizens members making no nomina
tions, and refraining from voting, with tn,
exception of Mr.. James, who voted No" il
each case End Patrolman, Michael Heatou
srd Patrolman, Patrick Hand, Jr.
Mr.. James moved that the salaries of tn,
officers of the borough remain the same al
last year, and that no extras be paid unde
any consideration. Mr.. Straughn seconded
the motion.
Messrs Bell and Coakley opposed the claus
referring to extras, and the latter moved t,
strike it out. This was done by the caueu
vote Of to T.
Before the motion was put as modified Mr.
Straughn asked the President what the lat
ter's Interpretation of it was. Mr. McGuir
stated it meant that the Solicitors salar
was to remain at $500, the Seeretary's at $2OC
the Treasurer's at 5000, and the salaries @
the police and all other officers at the usua
figures. The motion was then carried an
Council adjourned.
The deal by which the Democratic men
bers organized carries with it the re-electio
of James Bell as water superintendent, " hic
takes place at the first meeting IN April an
also the following whU assumed their pos
tions this morning; Man on the dunn