The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-17
MORE ARRESTS
FOR BRIBERY
QUARTETTE OF SELECT CoUN-
CILMEN ARE CHARGED.
They Are Edward James, Simon
Thomas, Peter F. McCann and
Richard Williams-warrant Is
sued at Instance Of the Municipal
League and the Accused officials
Were Allowed to Go on Their Own
Recognizance Until This Afternoon
When Hearing Will Be Held.

The Municipal League is again af-
ter the councilmen of this city anu
that they are particularly after the
members of the select branch was evil
dcnced yesterday afternoon when four
select councilmen were arrested OIL
the charge of soliciting and accepting
bribes. The councilmen arrested are
as follows: Edward James, OF the
Sixth ward; Richard Williams. of the
Fifth ward; Peter McCann. OF the
Fourteenth ward. and Simon Thomas
Of the Fourth ward.
The warrants Were issued in the at
ternoon by Alderman Fuller, of the
Sixteenth ward. at the instance of T..
II. Sturges and Robert Wilson, of the
Municipal League, and were served by
Mr. Wilson. Councilman James was
arrested at his place of business on
South Main avenue. while Councilman
Williams was arrested at his horne,
on Academy street. Councilman Nc
Cam was found at the 1.ackawanna
station. Councilman Thomas was
taken into custody in the city hall.
All were brought before Alderman
Fuller, who allowed them to go on
their own recognizance until this af-
terroon at o'clock, when a hearing
is to be held.
NO DETAILS GIVEN.
Mr. Strrges, when seen last night
by a Tribune man, refused to give any
information regarding the specific
charges for which the councilmen
We're arrested. "It will all come out
i'll the hearing tomorrow afternoon"
said he, land until then we must re-
fuse to give any Information to the
public
The arrests came very much in the
nature Of a surprise. on account of the
large number of indicted councimen
already under bail since last spring,
but whose trials, on account of the
press OF business in court, have been
rus over until next term.
Councilman Mccain was arrested in
August last on the charge of bribery
and was held in $4,000 bail by Alder
man Fuller In their return made last
Wednesday. the grand jury ignored tha
bill against him. From remark made
last night by Special Agent Wilson, it
would appear that the league has it's
doubts about this last grand jury.
While conversing with a Tribune
man, Mr.. Wilson remarked, that "this
grand jury was not watched by de-
tcctives as have been Others" He said
this in explanation of the fact war
rants have been secured for the arrest
of the speakeasy keepers the cases
against whom We're ignored by tn.
grand jury
1t is generally understood that the
alleged offenses for which these four
councilmen were arrested We're COM
mtted last spring.
ABOUT TO RESIGN.
Councilman James was just about to
resign from council, on account of the
fact that he was elected on November
6 to represent the Third Legislative
district in the house of representatives.
Councilman Williams was president
of select council for the fiscal year Of
1899 1900. and is the inside superintend-
ent of the Continental mine of the
Delaware. Lackawanna and Western
company. He is serving his fourth term
as select councilman from the Fifth
ward.
Councilman Mccain is rounding out
his third term in the select branch as
the representative of the ,Fourteenth
ward.
Councilman Thomas is already under
$1,000 bail on the charge of bribery,
having been one of the thirteen ar
rested last spring. He is finishing his
first term, but has already served in
common council.
The names of the speakeasy keepers
whose cases We're ignored by the grand
jury, and who are to be re-arrestcd.
are Michael Cawley, Anthony Roth and
Michael Manley.