The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-18
PROCLAMATIONS OF
GOVERNOR SERVED
City officials Formally Notified That
We Are Now in Second Class.
Common Failed to Meet.

Three copies OF the governors proc
lamation declaring, Scranton a city of
the second class were brought to this
city yesterday by Edward G.. Roberts,
special messenger of the executive
department. These copies We're for the
mayor and the presidents of both
branches of councils, respectively.
They are big, gorgeous looking docu-
inents, about two feet square, contain
ing in one corner the gold seal OF the
commonwealth and in the other the
signatures of Governor stone and of
Secretary of the Commonwealth Griest.
The mayors copy was served on him
in the afternoon, and he immediately
placed it in the hands of Clerk Hat
ton. who had 1t recorded in the office
of Recorder of Deeds Bonn.
The second copy was served on
President Wagner. of the select coun-
ell, during the day. and was presented
by him to the select council immedi-
ately after the cHnvening of that body
last night. 1t was read by Clerk La
relle, and Councilman Chittenden then
offered a resolution directing that 1t
be spread on the minutes, and this was
adopted.
u,
| mon council did not meet, because each
and every one of the eleven Demo-
cratic members of that branch were
| absent when Clerk Lynott called the
roll. The ten Republican members were
| all on hand, but as they did not consti-
| tute quorum they adjourned until to-
| night.
The governors proclamation was not
| therefore entered upon the minutes of
the common council. nor was any ac-
ton taken regarding the apportioning
OF the additional common councilmen
| provided for under the second class
| city charter. The purpose of the Demo-
Gratis in this question is plain. They
realize that when the extra council
men are elected they (the Democrats)
will be in the minority, instead of the
majority as at present, and thev are
, going to do everything in their power
to stave off the election of these addi-
tional members.
1t is now believed that it is the date
| of the governors certificate, rather
than the date OF Il final carrying out
! of the provisions the law covering
the spreading of It upon the minutes,
tt is to count III establishing the
.iestion as to whether or not the adj
itional councilmen can be elected in
February.
The law says that they must be
elected at the next municipal election.
held within not less than one month of
| the date OF the certificate and as this
is dated January IL, and as the Febru-
AIRY election is to be held on February
10. Mayor Moir thinks that there is
plenty of time yet to have them
| elected
If the Democratic members fail to
show up at tonights meeting, and II
is to be presumed that they will. the
plan is To have the aDportiunmcnt
committee already appointed go right
ahead and apportiOn the number of
additional councilmen and cndeavor to
have them elected at the February
eley ton.
After the governors proclamation
had been entered on the minutes last
night, Chairman Wagner announcej
that he would appoint Messrs Vaughan
and Chittenden AS members of this
| committee.
He stated 10 a Tribune man that he
didn't believe that, while the city was
| in the third class, he could uopoin,
such a committee, and that therefore
he had waited to do so until she was
In the second class.
The common council committee, which
consists of Messrs. Paine, Mcdonald
and Haggerty, was appointed while the
city was in the third class, and the
question as TO its right to act will un.
doubtedly be raised, if it attempts tc
cooperate With the select council
committee in making the apporiion.
| ment.
The original plan, as mentioned in
yesterdays Tribune, was to have this
committee re-appointed last night, but
as council didn't meet. this could moi
be done