The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-07

The ten councilmen indicted by the
last grand jury for accepting bribes
resigned their seats last night. in part
fulfilment of the agreement with the
Municipal league. by which they are t.
escape prosecution in the criminal
court. They have already signed a
paper stipulating that they will not
seek or accept public Office for five
years, and before next Monday are to
raise a fund of ZOO, TO be distributed
among certain of the citys charitable
institutions. on Monday morning. 10
which time the consideration of Their
cases was postponed. the attorneys OF
the league will go before court and ask
that verdcts of not guilty be entered
in each case. including that of eX-
Selectman Horatio Il. Fellows. who
subscribed to such of the eXactlons as
he was in q position To fulfill.
1t was rumored about the city yes
terday that several of the accused
counclmen had discovered that they
We're not guilty and would back out OF
their agreement to resign ard defy the
league to prove them guilty This
would mean that none of the resgna-
tionS would be forthcoming, as the
league stipulated that all or none OF
the accused should enter into the agree
ment.
This aroused some speculation up TO
the time of the council meeting, and in
consequence there was an unusually
large gallery in both chambers when
the meetings We're called to order.
Some We're there, of course. through
mere curiosity, but the presence OF
many could only be accounted for by
anxiety to know whether or not the
designations would eventuate.
MANY SPECTATORS.
Agent Robert Wilson, of the Munich
pal league. lotered about the corridor
to hear the first news of what took
place. Mayor NIoir looked in over the
shoulders of the crowd that lined the
rear of the common council chamber in
front of the committee room. Several
attorneys We're noticed among the as
semblage of spectators.
The select council was the first to get
down to business. The routine of the
first three orders of business was gone
through with, as if nothing unusual
was on the carpet, and when the fourth
order. communications, was called
by Chairman Wagner, the designations
of Mr.. Thomas and Mr.. Coyne were
taken up from the table by Clerk La
velle and read in the same perfunctory
manner in which he would disclose the
contents OF Il letter conveying claim
for damages from blocked sewer or
something of that sort.
Mr.. Thomas resignation was read
first. 1t was typewriter, except as to
the name of the ward he represented
and as to the signature. All the resig-
nations We're similarly drafted. as far
as the typewriter part went. and read
as follows:
To the officers and member, of the select conn
rl OF the city OF Scranton.
Gcmlcmcn: hereby tender my resignation as
a member of the select council of the city of
Scranton, for the Fourth ward OF said city, 10
take effect Dca. 10. 1900 Simon Thomas.
Scranton. Pa. Dec. l, 1900
\ hush fell over the council when
the clerk started TO read the resigna-
ton and it was unbrClen tills Mr..
Oliver arose and in low measured tones
said
Gentlemen: With reluctance rise to move 10
accept this resignation. / served in the lower
branch OF councils with Mr.. Thomas ;or three
wears and for nearly Il year in this branch and
my experience as his fellow member impels me
10 say that l sincerely regret this OCCASION
hope the day will not be lar distant when The
clouds which hover over this young mans lie
will be dispellcd.
COYNES RESIGNATION.
only u few voices We're audible when
the vote to accept the resignation was
taken, and there We're low and solemn
OF tone.
Following the reading of Mr.. Coyne's
resignation Mr.. Oliver moved it's ac-
ceptance ''under the same conditions, 4"
as he put 1t, las the previous resigna-
tion.' The voting was similar to that
in Mr.. Thomas case. Neither Mr..
Thomas nor Mr.. Coyne were present
at the meeting.
1t was S.lo o'clock when the common
council convened. Those of the coun-
cilmen who We're to remain in office
had been figuring on the filing of the