New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-07-23
BANNER RAISED AND RAZED.
UPS AND DOWNS IN A FRACTIONAL FIGHT
IN THE WITH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT.

The wreoking of a Keahon banner by alleged
Boyle followers is the latest development in the
Democratic faction fight in the With Assembly
District between ex-Alderman Patrick H. Keahon
and James w Boyle.
Many Of Keahon's partisans took advantage OF
the fine weather yesterday to escort their wives
and daughters to Eighth-ave. and Sixteenth-st.. in
order TO show them the big Bryan and Stevenson
banner which raised by the anti-Boyle people
last week with much oratory, fireworks and blare
of brass bands The banner the pride of the
Keahonites. It cost 1000. and had fine picture
of the ex-Alderman and across the bottom was
the line in letters two feet high, "Our Choice for
Leader" But the huge canvas had disappeared.
and between the two poles that had supported II
there nothing but atmosphere. Surprise won
der and disappointment filed the Keahonites who
had not visited the Sixteenth-st corner since the
great night of the banner raising These emotions
gave place to rage when they went to the Keahon
headquarters, No 1856 Eighth-ave.. for an explana-
ton and heard the story of the banner razing told
there by excited crowd OF Keahon workers.
About midnight last Friday a big truck, which
packing piled high, came numbering up
Eighth-ave. Three sat the boxes, and the
driver had his hat pulled over his eyes. The truck
halted directly under the banner. which was wav-
ing proudly at Sxteenth-st. Two poles. which
looked like boathooks were to rise in the air
above the boxes. There simultaneous jerk
a great strip of canvas. six feet wide, dropped
down on the wagon The third man seized this
when a crowd Of men came out of liquor store
The driver whipped up his team, and the rate
which the truck sped up the avenue showed
that it carried a dummy load OF empty boxes. The
three men jumped off at Seventeenth-st. and ran
toward SeYenth-ave., and the truck kept up
Eighth-ave. and turned west in Twenty-third-st..
narrowly escaping collision with an electric car.
The wreckers were chased for some distance but
of them were caught One man was recognized.
but John II. Little. one OF Mr.. Keahon's campaign
managers, said yesterday they were not ready 10
make his name public until they had completed
their investigation into the outrage
The banner torn badly and strips tralled on
the pavement. 1t was made fast to the posts for
the night and when daylight came 1t was sent away
for repairs. 1t will be hosted again to-day, and
on every dark night hereafter a volunteer guard
will watch 1t and welcome any second attempt.
Ex-Alderman Keahon was out OF the city yester-
day, but the club rooms his friends said that
the attempted abduction of their banner was the
work of the Boyle people and that 1t was being
investigated with view Of getting revenge for the
outrage Mr. Little said that Commissioner Boyle
evidently had just awakened to the fact that
Keahon had taken the district away from him and
was desperate. Keahon's friends say they have
made canvass showing that nineteen out of the
twenty-five election district captains out for
Keahon. Alderman Charles Culkin has declared
against Boyle and the first vice-chairman Of the
district organization John P Hllly. is hustlng day
and night for Keahon. The second Vice-chairman
c eX-Alderman himself