Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-05-17
DIVISION In SECOND WARD
Democrats Have a Dispute,
and Hold Two Meetings.
TWO SETS OF OFFICERS ELECTED
Controversy Must be Settled at
the Polls.


d
elected chief OF the Fire Department.,
the Democrats of the Second ward as
sembled Tuesday evening at the Liberty
enginehouse for the purpose OF holding
meeting to organize for the campaign
and elect delegate to the city conven-
tion. Soon after the meeting was called
to order by Mr.. Welsh it developed that
there were two elements present, and
the meeting had not progressed far
when one element withdrew and held
its own meeting at the Esmeralda Club.
I he trouble was over the selection of
chairman, one faction desiring the
election of Hugh Wallace, an enlploye
Of the crematoiy, and the other favor
ing Augustus H. Welsh.
The trouble first manifested itself in
the election of secretary. james A..
Dugan and Joseph s. Dupan we're put
in nomination for this Office A viva
vooe vote was taken and Chairman
Welsh declared James A. Dugan elected.
Some Of the friends Of oseph s. Dugan
objected on the ground that their can
didate had received a majority of the
votes, but the chairman insisted that
such was not the case and James Dugan
was declared to be the secretary.
When it came time for electing
ward chairman Hugh Wallace and
Augustus F. Welsh were placed in
nomination. The sans method of
voting was followed as that in the
selection of a secretary, and Chairman
Welsh declared that Wallace had re-
ceived majority of the votes and was
elected. This was not to the liking of
Augustus Welsh's friends and they
Withdrew and went to the Esmeralda
Club.
At the latter place the meeting WIS
called to order by Bernard Donahoe.
Augustus Welsh was elected chairman
Joseph Dugan, secretary. and Dennis
Carr, delegate to the city convention.
August Thurman was recommended for
delegate to the State convention. At
the meeting at the Liberty house James
Il. McHugh was Collected delegate to
ths city convention and Char les Cannon
was recommended as delegate to the
State convention.
This meeting" said Charles Can
non, superintendent Of the crematory,
yesterday, who upheld the Liberty
meeting, was held according to the
rules of the Democratic party. Shortly
after 1t opened James A. Dugan was
duly elected secretary. Joseph Dugan
had been proposed, but was defeated by
about % votes, and, naturally, the
chairman, John p. Welsh, declared
james Dugan duly elected. Hugh
Wallace and Augustus f. Welsh were
placed in nomination for ward chair
man. Wallace was elected by about %
majority and those who were beaten in
the contest bolted. Bernard Donahoe,
formerly of the Eighth and Fourth
wards, was the great moving spirit in
the trouble. He attempted to dictate
to the voters OF our ward. After the
boilers had left the room we proceeded
with our meeting. We had 25 to 80
majority He denied that there was
any truth in the ASSERTION that Council
man Cannon took an active part il the
matter.
Mr.. Wallace agreed with Mr.. Cannon.
Michael +. Cannon was not the leader
at the meeting," he said. HE was
present, but simply voted. was the
leader. | had recently announced my
candidacy for chairman and was SUP
ported by the ma ority.''
A different story comes from the
other side. Bernard Donahoe, when
spoken to In regard to the matter,
mude the following statement: Tho
meeting at the Liberty house was called
to order by John P. Welsh. When it
came to electing chairman Augustus
Welsh and Hugh Wallace we're placed
in nomination. Welsh had four votes
to every one for Wallace, but Wallace
was declared elected by Chairman John
P. Welsh. He had the backing of the
crematory and Third street bridge
crowds, who want to keep themselves
in Office. The decision was arbitrary
on the part Of Chairman John P. Welsh,
who made his decision on vive vuce
vote, which was clearly in our favor.
Prior to that time he had arbitrarily
declared that James A. Dugan was
elected secretary. We gave way to them
in that matter, but when We were
counted out, contrary to the will OF the
majority. in the matter of chairman,
we withdrew to the Esneralda Club,
where the meeting was then held"
Chairman John P. Welsh made this
statement; 1--WE had two or three votes
to one for the other side. There would
have been no trouble had it not been
for Barnard Donahoe and two OF three
others. " He said the meeting at the
Liberty house was regular in every
respect.
Under the Democratic party rules,
the contest must be settled by the
voters of the ward at the election on
Saturday May 26th. Ar election is not
necessary, except where there are con-
tests, but in case of contest it must
be settled at the primaries. which are
held on the last Saturday In May.