Evening star., 1901-07-10
PRESIDENF-ELECT TO RESIGN At ONCE
Expedient Adopted to Effect EIec-
ton of Minor Officers.
GENERAL AND PERSONAL
Evening Star Bureau,
No. I01 King St,
paIJ TeIephonp No 1@.

was patched up between the rival factions
of the board of aldermen. The interest
among citizens in the choice of a presiding
officer for the board had grown acute since
the preliminary meeting. July 1, when LOO
ballots were taken without an election.
Outside the railing in the chamber of the
upper board many citizens as could be
accommodated with space were crowded
last night 1t was freely predicted that
the meeting would result as before, and
this would probably have been the case
had it not been for the offices of Mayor
George L. Simpson exercised in private
way upon the representatives of the rival
factions, bringing them together in tenn
porary compromise and securing the cleo
tion of Alderman J. r. n. Curtin, with the
understanding that he would resign the Of
fee after the preliminary business before
council had been disposed of.
Clerk Thompson called the board to order
shortly after o'clock and annonced the
first business before the body, that of elect
ing a presiding officer. Mr.. ]. T. Sweeney
took the floor and made brief speech in
reference to the deadlock over the election
of a president. He said much valuable
time had been spent in fruitless balloting
and announced that he would withdraw
his name in favor of Mr. J. r. N. Curtin of
the third ward. Liberal applause from the
spectators who thronged the space reserved
for them followed this statement A mo-
ment later Mr.. ]. NJ Hill of the first ward
arose and made a short nominating speech
in favor of Mr.. 7. Ballenger of the second
ward. Mr.. Hill referred to the record Of
Mr.. Ballenger as presiding officer of the
board for the past two years. The first
ballot resulted in vote of to 4.
Again a Tie.
Mr.. Balenger then announced his with
drawal from the contest. AS substitute
Frank F. Marbury of the second ward.
The following ballot also resulted in a tie.
Several other votes were taken with the
same result. Then occurred a consuIta-
ton among the representatives of the two
factions. The matter discussed was not
made public, but the object was doubtless
the devising of some scheme for breaking
the tie up At the close of a lengthy in
terim Mr.. Burke moved that the balloting
continue Mr.. ]. T. Sweeney took the
floor and nominated Mr.. William H.
Sweeney. Mr.. Ballenger moved that a re-
cess be taken until the first regular meet
ing in October, but Mr.. Burke objected,
saying that it would be unfair to the peo-
pie who had elected the members of the
board for business that needed early atten-
ton. He moved that the question of the
Craftsmanship be submitted to a democratic
primary for decision. He thought that this
would afford fair method of solving the
difficult problem. Mr. Burke's remarks
were received with much applause from
the spectators but his motion was not
formally put before the house.
The balloting continued without varying
result. On motion of Mr.. ]. NJ Hill a recess
was then taken. At this time members of
the rival factions were seen by Mayor
Simpson at his office, and the compromise
above alluded to was decided upon.
As Temporary Expedient.
When the board was called to order again
Mr.. Hill arose and nominated Mr.. Curtin.
This was eceived for a moment with silent
surprise by the assembled crowd. Mr.
Thomas Clark then arose hastily and an
nounced that an understanding had been
reached whereby the election was only to
be temporary. Mr. j. T Sweeney took the
II 1t occurred, would be regular and he
would be duly sworn in as president of the
board. He said, however, that it had been
agreed that Mr.. Curtin would resign after
the first meeting. All doubt being removed
from the minds of the aldermen as to the
deal the clerk was directed to cast the
ballot for Mr.. Curtin, which was done.
Mayor Simpson was then sent for and ad
ministered the oath of office to Mr.. Curtin
VINO in turn swore in the other members
Inc next business was the election Of a
clerk Mr. Luther H. Thompson, the for
mer clerk was unanimously reelected
George Shafer, the former messenger was
also reelected, the vote standing to in
favor of Mr.. Shafer over S p Jackson
ne boards then went into joint session for
the eiectlon OF several minor city officers
Choice of Minor Officers.
The election of a police commissioner for
the second ward to succeed Commissioner
Frank Price, whose term had expired was
the first business before the joint session.
Councilman Normoyle nominated Mr.. Geo
+. Price. and former Councilman E E.
Lawler was placed in nomination by Mr..
a aI-1Ar ~
first ballot the vote standing 10 to 8 in
his favor.
Health Officer Julian T. Miller declined
denomination and DR.. E. A. German was
elected to that position. DIR. Miller also
declined denomination for one of the
physicians to the poor, but the other in
cumbent, DR.. William r. Purvis, was re-
nominated DR.. E. A. German and DR..
Avery Rittenour were named as candidates
The vote stood: Purvis, 10; German, II, and
Rittenour, IL, the first two being declared
elected. Mr.. Dew. Aitcheson was unani-
mously elected weigher of hay, there being
no opposition.
The election of chief of the fire depart
ment was next In order. Alderman Swee-
ney nominated Mr.. George Pettey, the in
cumbent, who was chosen without dis
senting voice Members of the board Of
fire wardens were then elected as follows:
First ward, w. II. Melchoir; second ward.
John Harlow third ward L. RisheilI: +:
fourth ward c. J w. Summers George
II was Te-eIecIeO OVerSeer OF out
door poor. For keeper of the almshouse
the nominees were William NJ Smith. the
incumbent, and w. L. Mullin. The former
was reelected by a vote of 20 to 4. Just
before a vote was taken "Gilly" Martin an
inmate of the almshouse and we'll known
about town, created considerable amuse-
ment by arising from his seat outside the
railing and addressing the chair "Gilly"
delivered a stammering but emphatic ora
tion in favor of Mr.. Smith
me election FOR members of the board Of
health resulted as follows: For the dis
trict south of Prince street. Messrs. j.
Johnson Green, Samuel A Mankn and
Michael 7. DwyeS district between Prince
and King streets, Messrs. p NJ Bradshaw.
Richard H. Cox and Thomas Fannon; dis
trict north of King street, Messrs John T.
Harrison. w. l.. Hoy and James F. Peyton
e. Warfeld, jr., was reelected without op-
position for dispenser of drugs for the
eastern district. and the firm of Dienelt &
Walker was reelected for the western dis
trict. William Craven was elected steward
OF officers over j. Chris Gill by vote Of
Is to g. Council then adjourned.
Writ of Error Granted.