The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-21

broken. The mayor called the council
together in extra session and presented
his nominations, succeeding in getting
them confirmed. 1t may be that the
courts will be called on to determine
the legality of some of the confirma
tons, but several were confirmed be-
yond all question, including such Off
Gals as city clerk, captain of police and
most of the policemen. In these cases
the candidates received majority of
the votes of the entire body of the al
dermen and there can be no dispute as
to them. In some cases only eight
votes were recorded in favor of confirm
alton and six against, there being two
absentees. The mayor concluded that
he would not be delayed all summer by
having one or two absentees and de-
clared the nominees elected on a ma
jority vote of those present.
Alderman Kroger declared himself
with the mayor on most propositions.
When it was whispered around that Mr..
Kroger had decided that he would not
longer be a party to the senseless OPP
position to the mayor and to the tying
up OF the conduct of municipal affairs,
the leaders of the opposition declared
that it made no difference, they would
gain one to take the place of Mr.. kro-
ger. This substitute was, of course, Mr..
knoWlton, who has been considered to
be in reality in sympathy with the OPP
position from the very start and that he
would not be lacking if his vote were
really wanted. So his switch was no
surprise, in spite of his frequent declar-
atoms that he would vote in support of
most of the mayors nominations. Mr..
knowlton did vote in favor of three or
four of the mayors nominations. The
| rest, however, fought the mayor to the
last, but the opposition grew feeble as
the end approached.
Notices for the special meeting were
sent during the afternoon and all the
aldermen We're served with the notices.
me roll call showed two absentees--
Bryant, Clark man, and Archam-
bault. republican. At the beginning
OF the meeting the city clerk read this
announcement from the mayor:
This special session of the city coun-
Gil Of the city of Butte, Mont, is con-
vened for the purpose of submitting to
you Tor action thereon the names of
certain persons for the various Offices
OF this municipality and designations
of officers -
Inc mayor announced that he would
nominate Peter Sanger to the position
or ch1ef Of the fire department, At this
point Alderman Knowlton was forced
finally to show his hand.
deslre to state,' said KnoWlton.
mat l shall vote for no more confirm
atlons until the committees are ap-
=, That That is very kind of you, Mr..
hh a said the mayor. I'VE will,
however proceed to business"
Alderman Kroger then took the f7oor
and said ''0N'
Il desire to give the reasons why 7
nave not in the past vited in favor of
me mayors nominations. I think that
we were not treated just right by the
mayor. I think he should have given
us some idea of whom he proposed to
appoint. But as I see that this dead
lock is blocking the business of the
community too much, I for one shall
hereafter vote in favor of the appoint
ments when | can conscientiously do
SO. would rather, as a republican,
see all republicans appointed, but of
| course we cannot expect that So | will
vote in favor of confirming those who
are IN the mayors immediate sur
round1ngs, but not for others such as
| those to be assistants in the treas,1rer's
| Office +"
The mayor replied that he believed
ne mad already definitely stated his
| consider it best to discuss their trouhIes
any more. He did not care to hear any
troubles and he did not believe that the
aldermen cared to hear his troubles, of
which he also had some.
The roll was then called on the con-
nrmation of Mr.. Sanger as fire chief
with this result:
| Ayes-Elderkin, Ferns, Kelly, Kroger
Macarthur, Medin, Page, Smiths.
Noes-Bausman, Britt, KnoWlton
Moves, Page, Virtues.
u declare Mr.. Sanger duly elected
! chief OF the fire department" said the
| mayor.
Doesn't it require a majority of the
| whole council to confirm 2" asked Sic
| benaler.
Not in my opinion" replied the
mayor. II rule that Mr.. Sanger is con-
firmed.''
For assistant fire chief the mayor
named Owen Cunning. who. he said, is
| now on the fire department. has been
a fireman for years and has the unani-
nous Endorsement of the members of
| the fire department for the position.
Mr.. Cunning was confirmed by the
| same vote of to 6.
| the mayor then named }. }. Cotter
| for street commissioner He was con-
firmed by vote of to 5. which is a
| majority of the whole council and
| leaves no doubt on the matter of Cot
| ter's confirmation. Alderman KnoWl-
| ton voted for him thus settling the
Branagan dispute. How Mr.. Knowlton
could justify voting for Cotter before
| the mayor appointed the committees
and could not vote for the other ap-
| pointees before this was done is a mat
/ ter that was not explained.
| The mayor next named John j. La
/ yelle for chief of police. He was de-
clarea confirmed on vote of s to 6.
Next the mayor named Joseph P.
Callan for city clerk. Alderman Elder
| Kin asked to be excused from voting,
which left the vote for confirmation
| and against. Later John G. Holland,
the present clerk, who is also holding
the position of county treasurer, re-
quested of Alderman Knowlton and Ell
derkin as a personal favor that they
vote Tor Callan, as he was anxious to