The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-01

II. Il. Sturges, of the Municipal
League. stated to Tribune man yes
ter day afternoon that ex-Councilmen
Simon Thomas, David II. Reese and
Morris v. Morris, would have to re-
sign Immediately as members of the
board of revision of taxes and ap-
pcals, or else be arrested again.
These three eX-counciimen We're ar
rested last spring at the instance of
the Municipal League, charged with
bribery, and were, indicted by :he
grand jury. A month ago they signed
an agreement with the Municipal
League to resign their seats in coun-
ellis and not to hold public Office for
Eve years, IL the prosecution would
withdraw the cases.
They resigned their seats in coun-
ellis, but are still acting as members
Of the board of revision and appeals.
The question as to whether or not
they would be compelled to resign
from that body has been the subject
of Ii deal of public discussion and to
settle the question declsively, Trib-
une man waited upon Mr. Sturges yes
terday and asked him what the course
to be pursued >.>by the Municipal
League would be.
THEY MUST RESIGN.
you can say" said he. that
Messrs. Thomas Reese and Morris
must resign their positions as mem-
bers of the board of revision and ap-
peal this week, or be arrested. INwHi
even go further Their meeting days
are on Monday and Friday, I undcS-
stand. If they attend next Friday afA
ternoon's meeting they will be inn
modiately arrested on the same
charges as before and no chance will
be given them for u compromise. This
is not to be taken as n threat.
I'm taking this position the mem
bCrS of the Municipal League are not
actuated by any vindictive spirit or by
any desire to be hard on these men
We are merely doing what we consider
to be our duty under the agreement
which was signed. The spirit of that
agI cement was that the councilmen
signing it were not to hold an Office
of any kind for the term of five years.
"To my mind. a place on the board
of revision and appeals is far more
important than the office OF council
| man. The members of that board
have a great deal of power placed in
their hands and it Is essential that
they be men of the strictest integrity.
1t is true that the terms of the mem
bers of the present board expire in
May, but before that time they viii
have heard the majority of the appeals
on the triennial assessment, which is
now being made.
Admitting, as l think it will be
| generally admitted, that the position
| of members of the board of revision
and appeals is of far greater import
ance than the position of councilman,
would il look reasonable or just on
| the part of the Municipal League to
permit these men to continue on that
! board when they have signed an
agreement to the effect that they
would not hold any public position for
| five years?
Il understand that these men have
been trying to arrange conference
| with me for the purpose of suggesting
that the league be not too hard upon
them. Such an effort would be use
less. our minds are made up, and
they will have to resign"
MORE ARRESTS COMING.
When asked If any more council
manic arrests were due, Mr.. Sturges
said:
"Just as soon as the holidays ave
over there are going to be more coun-
| cilmen arrested, you can depend upon
that We've made a pretty good
| start, but We're not finished yet, by
| any means"
The reporter suggested that Mr.
Sturges' views on the results of the
recent special councilmanic elections
would be interesting, and he replied
rather guardedly:
"Well, the men who were elected
to fill the vacancies caused by the
designations of the councilmen. may
not be. with one or two exceptions
any better class OF men than those
who resigned. but they'll be honest for
several years. I'm sure that there will
be no more bribes accepted Tor long
time"
Messrs. Thomas, Norris ana Reese
were present at yesterdays meeting
| of the board of revision and appeals
hut whether or not they will be pres
ent next Friday is an open question. II
is generally understood, however, that
they maintain that under the agree
ment which they signed they pledged
| themselves not to seek or accept
public Office and that they should not
| be expected to resign.
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