The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-12-20
CHARGES OF FORGERY MADE
At THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THx
COUNCILMEN LAST NIGHT.

/ "
concerning tho Namos Appended to the
Petition for Calling tho Nesting
Both boards Adjourned without Do
Ing Any Business and the Finance
Boards Estimates stand-A Personn1
Encounter Between Two CounciImen.
Ihe special meetings of the aldermen
ana councilmen called by Mayor Dris-
coll for last night were held but abso-
iutely no business was transacted, each
board adjournng as soon as it was
called to order and before any business
could be brought up. The meetings
were called TO secure If possible con-
current action to change the estimates
reported by the board Of finance. The
attempt to change them had been once
defeated in the board OF councilmen by
coalition of factions, the republican
members who oppose giving the demo-
cratic city administration opportunity
and the democratic members who op-
pose the administration. The alder
men had already voted by two-thirds
vote to change the estimates in accord
ance with the committee report and
the special meeting of their board was
called last night in order that they
might concur with the councilmen in
making any changes which the latter
board might make less than the
changes recommended by the special
committee. IS
The councilmanic board was first
called to order last night and as soon as
the roll call was completed by Assist
ant City Clerk Martin, Councilman
Walsh of the Tenth ward took the floor
and asked the reason why the meet
ing had been called. He said: why
are we called here Tonight; under what
pretense?"
President Miller-"By the mayor, in
response to petition
Mr.. Walsh said that he held in his
hand a copy Of the petition. He read
it and the names signed to it. Among
the names which he read was that Of
Councilman Mcclure. OF this name,
Mr.. Walsh said 1.-THE gentleman is
present and will deny that he ever saw
or heard or knew Of petition for a
special meeting of the councilmen.
Then there is Councilman Harris
name. understand that he never
signed the petition. There is the name
of T. j. Cronin, man never a mem
ber Of the common council. Council
man Bohn, whose name is signed, says
that he never saw or heard of the petit
tion Councilman Knollmeyer, whose
name is signed, says that he never
signed it, In their anxiety to have a
meeting they were so eager that they
signed any names. Some members
have the courage to admit that they
did not sign the petition and they de-
serve credit for so daring when an att
tempt is made to push such measure
through by fraudulent methods The
mayor said that he was ashamed if he
called meeting for forged petition"
Councilman Magoohan whose name
was read as one of those whose names
We're appended to the petition, said
that he had signed it and Mr.. Walsh
said that he hadn't insinuated that the
gentleman had not signed.
Mr. Magoohan-"This looks like
scheme on the part Of the gentleman
from the Tenth. / think that it is
great injustice for him to start that
kind of a scheme here"
More discussion followed, accusations
and denials flying thick and fast until
Chairman Miller called attention to the
fact that there was no motion before
the house and that the gentlemen
speaking were out of order.
Councilman Alling-"I beg your par
don, Mr.. Chairman"
Chairman Miller-"The gentleman will
not interrupt the chair. hold in my
hand a petition for meeting. Maybe
it was not properly signed. Of that
know nothing. I know about those
names secured know nothing about
he others I will say that this meet
ng was legally called. The gentleman
s mistaken when he says that he had
he interview with the mayor. Now
he meeting is open for business"
Mr.. Alling-"I appeal from the decis-
on Of the chair. I presume you base
your opinion as to the legality of the
Meeting on the fact that the mayor call
ID it," Mr. Alling then read from sec
ion 1877 of the charter, which, he held,
provided that the mayor and major
ty OF tne mem DerS OF the COunclI must
ct jointly in calling special meetings.
Councilman Keane said that the may
II might call special meetings and it
vas not for the councilman to go into
he question as to the cause of his call
ng them. He moved that the matter
f signing the petition be tabled, and 1t
vas SO voted.
Councilman F., 7. Rice of the First
yard then moved to adjourn, and was
econded by Councilman Alling. Mr..
,onlin called for an aye and nay vote.
he vote. on the motion to adjourn was
S follows:
Ayes-Messrs. Hillman, f. 4. Rice,
Chase, Bohn, O'Meara. Ty.
er, Keane, Gerner, M. Rices, Alling,
ohnson, Walsh, Holiday, Dawson,
hopkins, Keeler, Barnes. Rausch and
Navs-Messrs. Gallagher. Eff, Meroo-
an, Cartier Maroney, Maley, Burton,
onlin, Cronin, Greenfield, Rowe, Null
oon, MCGUIRE and Doohan-14
After the meeting several warm dis
ussions took place between the mem
ers concerning the charges that GER
ain names had heen foroad 70 tbo 49,