The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-15

| The citizens of the Second ward met
In the former quarters of the Provi-
dence Gas and Water company in the
Auditorium last evening to discuss the
question of good municipal government
as connected with the election of a
common councilman on Tuesday next
to represent the ward, in place Of Nor
ris V. Norris, resigned. The gathering
was most representative one. d. b.
Atherton was elected chairman and NJ.
d. Sanders secretary. after the meet
| Ing was called to order by j. U. Hope
well, one of it's promoters.
In opening the meeting Chairman
Atherton spoke on the feeling existing
| as to the present condition OF affairs in
the councils of the city, and said 1t was
| about time the citizens got together to
| take some action relative to the elec-
tion of proper men to represent them
IN the councils. He referred to the
spectacle that recently occurred in the
| enforced resignation of many of the
| councilmen, and the humiliation which
the city has suffered by the publica-
| tion of the news of our shame, which
was spread broadcast over the entire
| country, and emblazoned in bold black
| letters on the front pages of the daily
press.
The private citizen, Mr.. Atherton said,
has not fully realized this, nor the ef-
feet such action has upon the well
fare OF the city. 1t was to the interest
| OF all to get out to the polls on Tues
| day next at the special election and
vote for reliable men who cannot be
bought. but who will handle the pub
lie affairs In a business-like and hon
est manner, such as they would their
own affairs.
T. S. Morgan followed on similar
lines, adding the effect that dishon-
esty in municipal affairs has in the
bringing in Of new industries. "Busi-
ness men," he said, Twill hesitate a
long time before they will trust them
selves to establishing new manufac-
lures in city that Is covered with the
taint Of municipal corruption. Laying
aside all politics as good citizens, we
should cling together and elect man
who will not sell his vote. but who will
vote and work for the interests of the
city and his ward"
r. z. Hurley said politics had no
effect upon his preference for men
to serve in councils. 1t seemed to
him that there was not a. very large
percentage Of the citizens who real
zed that in the years past that the
councilmen, or very considerable
number Of them, had been rotten. If
real representative citizen can be
had who will clearly meet the issue
before the people of the ward, it was
public duty to vote for such u man,
letting his politics out of the ques-
ton, he said.
Mr.. Atherton, taking up the indus
trial phase suggested by Mr.. Nor
gan, said there was a great deal in
the relation of honest poltical.,meth-
DDS to good city government. The
past record is initiating against the
city, he said, and the half has not yet
been told. He hoped for some action
which would say to he people of
Scranton that the Second ward is go
ing to send a good man to represent
1T in common council.
]. Elliott Ross, esq.,, said it would
be an impossibility to find perfect
man. He regarded the men who
threw the stumbling block in the way
Of the councimen as far worse than
We're they who fell. He did not think
that any one of these men when they
went into the councils went there first
as dishonest men.
1--WE have had the lessons of the |
past" said he, "and they can be |
made our guide in our future action. |
No matter who goes from the ward to |
council, he will so as have the others |
before him, as an honest man, and |
there can be no question of his hon.
esty except as he associates with other |
men whose character may be ques
% n councils WIN |
will attend to the duties of their Of
flee, and who will profit by the les
sons of the past and realize that If |
he sins his sin will find him out. l |
have no fear for the man of average |
common honesty"
While Messrs. j. Y. Hopewell. Thos.
S. Morgan and j. X. Smith were out |
drafting a series of resolutions further |
remarks on the honesty of the men in
councils were made by Messrs. William
Mcdonald, Francis Oliver, II. r. Hurl-
but, DR.. Bentley and others. DR.. |
Bentley in his address said if Il man
has integrity he is proof against brib-
berry. 1t was shame, he declared, that
q lot of boodlers, supposed to be IT,
telligent, honest men. sent down fror,
various wards to represent the people
ia councils and to do certain worl.
for which there is no salary attached,
and which work they all wanted SO
badly, yet when they came before the
court under Indictment for boodl!ng
away the peoples rights got away |
almost unscathed.
They We're not In 1t, he thought, with |
the negro wench who got three years
in the penitentiary for crime against |
which theirs Is hardly to be consid-
cred in comparison for Nervousness. |
IF conditions are not different in a
few years from now l do not care to |
own any property in Scranton" the |
doctor added in conclusion.
The committee on resolutions report
ed the following, which We're adopted |
after considerable discussion:
Tie citizens of the Second ward of the City |
of Scranton, in meeting assembled to discuss the |
adyisability of electing honest, able and 'on-
scentious men to our city council resolved:
First. That this meeting was not called for
the purpose OF endorsing any particular cand-
date, but solely in the interest OF good munich
pal government.
Second, That emphasize the Importance,
particularly at this time in our aity's histcry,
Of electing men to the law-makng ! edy of our |
city who are capable, and men Of sound hIdg- |
ment who will properly and conscieltiousy con-
serve the interests Of their constituents.
Third. That it is the sense of this meeting and |
that individually agree to do our utmost TO
increase the interest in the primary elections, as
one OF the most important functions OF our gov
ernment
Fourth That the chairman Of this meeting ap-
point committee comprised Of two men in
oh, rnt l,,s., hall h.,t