The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-19

In a conspicuous place in this
months number of city Government"
is a half-tone picture of the city clerk
of Richmond, Va, with an announce
ment underneath to the effect that he
enjoys the distinction of being the
most unique city official in the country.
as he has been elected city clerk for
fifteen consecutive years, each time
without any opposition. The writer OF
the article was in all probability not
aware that this city possesses city
clerk in the person of Martin II.
Lavelle, whose record surpasses that
OF the southern official, as he has been
chosen city clerk of Scranton for
twenty years without any opposition
whatever. This beats the other mans
record by five years, and 1t might be
mentioned that If Martins picture was
printed in "City Government he
wouldn't be pleased at all, as he is an
exceedingly modest man.
The services of Martin Lavelle are
considered by each and every one of
the forty-two councilmen as invalu-
able His long service In his present
position has given him an insight into
municipal affairs that is not equalled
by any man in the city. He is a verit-
| able walking dictionary Of civic infor-
nation. This doesn't mean that he is
merely possessed of a knowledge of
facts regarding this city's government
and nothing more. He has studied
causes and effects; has noted the pol
| icies which have failed and those which
| have succeeded; has had an opportun-
ity of considering at close range the
administrations of eight different
mayors, and his advice Is therefore
| often sought after by some of the
wisest of our city fathers when an i'm
| portant measure is pending.
He is as regular as clockwork; comes
| to work at a certain precise hour to
the minute; goes to dinner at another
| and goes home at another. He has a
certain day and hour in the week for
doing this kind of work, and a certain
| day and hour for doing that kind. Ir
the select council chamber he may be
| said to indirectly rule things. If tho
chairman is in doubt as to parlia-
mentary question, one word from
| Martin settles the point.
If a member isn't sure whether such
and such and such a thing is so and
Martin says it is, well, it is. AS one
prominent select councilman put it this
year: Nations may fall and nations
may rise, but Martin Lavelle goes on
| forever" Mr. Lavelle during his odd
moments of leisure has read law, es-
pecially the law pertaining to cities and
has digested what he read. He has a
mind of judicial turn, and can reel off
a verbal opinion on matters pertaining
| q nj md
| cleverness that would astonish many
a judge. The feature of his opinions
is their strong common sense. He be
lieves that law to be effective must be
based on a common sense view of the
subject legislated about. A law that
does not stand this supreme test is not
a good law and law that is not in
terpreted in that way is not properly
interpreted. Who will say that he is
not right? He does not believe in tear
ing things up every now and then, jus
for the sake of a change. He believes
that every radical change in govern.
ment is fraught with danger, and that
the people ought to be sure they arc
getting better article before they cast
aside an old law
supervisor OF Ine census JOnn IL
Edwards is just now one of the busiest
men in Lackawanna county, and upor
his shoulders rest the responsibility o.
determining whether or not Scranton
Is a city of the second class, His corp.
of enumerators have completed tn,
work of filling the schedules contain
ing the names of all the residents o.
Lackawanna, Monroe and Pike coun
ties and have made their returns. II
addition to going over the schedules
Mr.. Edwards will enumerate all of TIL,
manufacturing industries in the city
which is in itself an arduous task. Ad
ditional time is allowed him by tn
government for the completion of thi
part of the work.
1t is Mr.. Edwards purpose to hav
the industrial statistics of this cit.
taken with the greatest care, for h
believes that they can be made of grea
service to Scranton. During the las