The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-18

Through the kidnapping, apparently,
of Alderman Knowlton, the aldermanic
| obstructionists succeeded last evening
in delaying for time longer the
confirmation Of city officials and the
progress of municipal affairs. The alb
duction of Alderman Knowlton is SUD-
posed to be the "Gatling gun" which
the Butte Miner of yesterday an
nounced that it had up it's sleeve and
| which would prevent any appointees
from being confirmed at last nights
| meeting. Had Alderman Knowlton been
| present at last nights council meeting.
and had he voted in support of the
| mayors nominations, as he has here
tofore DONE the vote would have been
eight in favor of the confirmation and
eight against 1t. The mayors vote
would then have been cast in favor of
the confirmation and it would have been
all off with the big Swede. The alb
sence of Alderman Knowlton was an
exceedingly timely thing for those who
are trying to embarrass the mayor and
block the municipal wheels.
Every alderman was present early.
with the exception of Knowlton, and
when he failed to respond to his name
at the roll call there was no necessity
for much speculation on the subject.
There was a larger attendance probably
than ever before crowded into Butte's
/ council chamber. There was not, how
ever much animation in the meeting,
and everything proceeded calmly and
quietly. AS the meeting progressed and
the absentee failed ito put in an ap-
pearance the result was a foregone con-
clusion and aroused no interest.
Even Judge De Wolfe was present at
last evenings meeting, it being the first
time for several meetings that he has
been present. His presence in his ac-
customed place was regarded as serv-
ing of notice on the city that he still
regards himself as city attorney and
proposes to hang on to his job as long
as he can.
The test of the evenings strength
came on a vote in regard to a communi-
cation from Captain Branagan. who
wished the council to decide whether
he is street commissioner or not. The
letter recited the facts in the case from
the captains standpoint. After the let
ter had been read Alderman Bryant
moved that the captain be exonerated
from all blame in the matter. Alder
man Macarthur offered as an amend
ment that the communication be placed
on file. Before the amendment was
put the mayor said he wished to say
few words on the subject.
Mr. Branagan is here said the
mayor, land if l make any statement
which is not strictly correct I wish he
would correct me. A day or two after
the captains resignation was refused
by this council the captain came to me
and said he would only work a few days
anyway, and he would esteem it favor
if / would accept his resignation, as he
had other things to attend to- l told
him I would accept his resignation if he
would write out another and address 1t
to me personally. He went right into
the office with me and wrote me his res
ignaton. I at once accepted it, but
asked Mr.. Branagan to work the week
out which he consented to do. At the
end Of the week / told Mr.. Branagan
that Mr.. Cotter would take his place in
the morning. Then for the first time
did learn that Mr. Branagan intended
to continue as street commissioner. The
only explanation he made to me was
that he had changed his mind. Now,
case l ask Captain Branagan to correct
it at once"
Mr.. Branagan made no reply to the
mayor and the vote then proceeded on
McArthur's amendment that the cap
tain's communication be filed. The
amendment was defeated by this vote:
Ayes-Elderkin, Ferns, Kelly, Near
thur, Medin. Page, Smith,.
Noes-Archambault, Bausman, Britt,
Bryant, Kroger, Noyes, Siebenaler,
Virtues.
The question then came on Bryant's
motion that the captain be eXonerated
from all blame.
Gentlemen" said the mayor, Il
must rule this motion out of order in
view of the fact that there are no
charges before this council against MIR.
Branagan, and therefore nothing to eX-
onerate him for
There was much applause from the
audience at this stand taken by the
mayor, and this disposed of the cap
tain's eXoneration.
Later in the evening the mayor an
nounced the appointment of Peter San
ger as chief of the fire department.
The appointment was refused confirma-
ton by the same vote as the one given
above. When confirmation was re-
fused, the mayor stated that he had
no further appointments to make at
the present time, and folded up his lit
tie list and put it in his pocket. The
mayor stated that after the council had
refused to accept the resignation of
George X. Aitkin as electrician and
fireman, Mr.. Aitkin had come to MIN
and insisted that his resignation be ac-
cepted. as he had another job and
would not work any longer He had
accordingly accepted the resignation.