The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-05-11
! office:
| BURKE
! BUILDING
THE POOR BOARD
, AND ITS DOCTOR

INe OCleCLlOu VA NASolS"A
at the Poor House Causes Another
Stir Last Night--Mr. McMullen's
Flight Breaks Quorum and Holds
Up Business-The Nights In
cidents.
The spirit of rancor which has di-
>ided the poor board members since
they have tried to elect a doctor for
the poor house, broke out again last
night before the board assembled for
it's regular semi-monthly meeting with
the result that there was no session to
dispose of even the routine matters
of the body.
There were four members OF the
board present when the meeting hour
was reached, President Thomas. Secre-
tary Williams and Messrs McCabe and
Mcmillan. This was II quorum. but
Mr. Mcmillan had no intention of sit
ting in the meeting unless he was as
sured that the election of a doctor for
the poor farm would not he taken
llp--that it would be allowed to rest
until the next meeting of the board.
The other members of the board re-
fused to commit themselves as to
what would be done with the DOCTOR
ship and Mr. Mcmillan angrily with
drew from the room. but not until he
and Mr.. McCabe had Il wordy war, in
which they debated warmly on
various questions. the one meeting the
other with stinging retorts. Finally
Mr.. Mcmillan withdrew from the
room, thus breaking the quorum and
preventing the meeting. holding up the
business of the board for another two
weeks. Thus, once more. the divided
forces fell out over the election of the
doctor for the poor farm, a question
that has resolved itself into veXatious
problem
When Mr.. Mcmillan saw the meeting
hour approach his anxiety over
whether or not the doctors election
would cCme up grew and he seemed
quite apprehensive as to the purpose
of his colleagues. Mr.. McMullen, 1t
will be recalled, is Il champion of DR..
Bailey, while the others present last
night--Messrs. Thomas. Williams and
McCabe. are the supporters Of his OPP
ponent. DR.. Malaun. Mr.. McMullen
realized that if the election came up.
he would he helpless to prevent the
matter from being disposed of. The
hopeIessness of his case stared at him
and he realized, too that his with
drawal from the meeting, and break
ing up the quorum. was his salvation.
Just as soon as he learned from his
opponent that they would not consent
to allowing the election to he pro-
ionged further. he hurredly srasped
his umbrella and prepared to leave the
room. Some one suggested that If he
would continue these tactics, he would
be- denied admittance. Mr.. McMullen
made Il characteristic return in which
he assured both MI. Thomas and Mr.,
McCabe that he was fully able to pre-
serve his own rights
Mr.. McCabe and Mr.. McMulIen then
engaged each other. This was as Mr..
McMullen was making his way to-
wards the hall. The dialogue between
them. was about like this:
Mr.. McCabe-"What do you mean
by not staying with us tonight"
Mr.. McMullcn-"That's all right,
now; that's all right. You said a the |
last meeting that yoN would not take |
up this doctor question unless the |
others were here. Now Burke nor
l.Xnch amt here and yet you want to
push this thing through"
Mr.. McCabe-Well, by gosh. (pound- |
ing his desk and shaking his head at
McNlullem if they won't be here at
the next meeting we will declare their |
SeaSt vacated
What do you mean. any way. MIR. |
McMullen by not clocting a DOCTOR"
Mr. Mct'abe broke out anew. What |
il YOU knew that some one was sick |
at the farm and needed doctor what |
would YOU do, ch" -"
What would ] do?" returned Nc |
Mullen. "Why I'd sent doctor out |
there: that's ALL" he ended quite rc.-
aSsuringly.
You would, ell" Well then you'd |
pay for itself" said Mr.. McCabe. very |
positively, and with Il determined |
shake of the head.
Mr.. McMullen did not reply. but left |
the room mutterng something about |
being able to attend to his own busi-
ness himself.
The other members who are united |
with Mr. McMullen in favor of DR.. |
Railey and against DR., Malaun are
MeSsrs. Burke and Lynch. The for
mer is out of the city attending fune-
raj and the latter it is presumed pre-
ferred to absent himself until Mr.
Burke returns.
The board has the power to vacate
the seats of any members who with
out good cause absents himself from
three successive meetings and after
Mr.. McMullen Withdrew it was stated
that the power would he invoked if
the missing members would he absent
again on next meeting night.
The report of solicitor Butler as the
the alleged shortages Of the old board
was among the matter scheduled for
last night, but which will now go over
to add Ia the interest of the next
meeting.