The sun. (Wilmington, Del.) 1897-19??, 1901-06-10

MOVEMENT
Democrats Threaten to Hold on to
City Offices.
WHAT MAYOR FAHEY SAYS
They See Prospective Loss of Two
City Departments Followed by
Turning Out Of Many
Democrats.
WHAT MAYOR FAHEY SAYS

Certain Democrats who would IKE TO
hold Office forever, say they will contest
the seating of the Republicans recently
elected on the ground that there is no
legal provision for the election.
1t is not believed, however, that any
contest will be made. 1t is admitted by
prominent Democratic leaders that the
position taken is absurd.
Mayor Fahey, whom it is alleged. will
together with other Democratic officials
aow in office, refuse TO transfer on July
the city government to Mayor-eect
Fisher and other Republican officials
elect, was seen last night and asked
lhout the matter.
He declared that he had given il no
'hought and had not looked up the law.
lie added that he regarded it as party
matter.
II was reported last night that Demo-
rratic counclmen We're among those at
the back Of the movement
In the event of it being successful the
present councimen would hold over.
This would mean that the deadlock over
,ity offices would doubtless continue and
.ertain officials hold over.
From present indications at least some
# the city officials holding over on ac-
ount Of the deadlock in Council will
not be reelected by the new Council.
notwithstanding the fact that the Demo-
rats will control it.
II is alleged that already political
knives are being whettpd for these hold
,vrr officials and the new Democratic
ouncilmen are being urged to vote
against them in caucus.
President of Council Alexander and
'nuncilmen Cannon and Johnson. who
were defeated and Councilmen Healey
nd Ghcrly. who had not been candidates
for reelection. would continue in office
| u the movement succeeded.
Democratic Counclmen. it is under
| tnod, have secured legal advice to the
effect that there is no valid reg 'straton
which relates to the city of Wilmington.
| prior to the adontion of the new con-
titution registration and voting Mt the
''ty election was by tax receipts. At
thc CITY election the voting was done
n two registration lists. the registration
| 'ist OF last fall and the list revised Just
before the city election. There is moth
'ng in the law. re claimed. authorizing
ersons to get registered to vote at the
.iiy election and nothing in the law com
| nanding or allowing tho clerk of the
oace 10 hand over to the clerk of the
| Department copy of the list of regis
tcr"d voters.
| n mNr"atic attorneys who were seen
| nd that legal proceedings in the mat
Ter could not likely come up in court
ow until the September term. Court
'as p"acticallv adjourned for the present
'crm althou h adjournment was taker
20 Junr "a For the purnose Of hearing
argument in the case Of the Oxy-Hydro
'rn ""se VS.. the Street and Sewer Di
lrectors.
Republicans are amused ut the present
'ttitlde of the Democrats and point t,
he fact that when the Democratic party
obtained control of the city government
'wo years ago, one year after the con
'ttution was adopted, they did not rails,
he question Of the illcgaity OF the cleo
tiOn.
Republicans say that as the Democrat
participated in the election II was rathe
late day to raise any objection as t,
Is legality now that they had not won n
he polls. They also say that one of th
'hiects Of the movement is to save f.
he Democrats Il Street and Sewer Com
missioner and u Water Commissioner.
One Of the first acts of the ney
mayer will be to appoint Water Com
ioncr. This will make the Water Boar
Fcpuhlican and Democrats fear that tn
IcSitions of Democratic employees of TIL
Water Department will lie endangered
Tile torn of A. S. Webster, president o
he Street and Sewer Department expire
, March 81, 1903 and his successor will b
Nppo'ntcd by the new mayor. This wi
t... Il. N 4 I
discharge, of more Democrats
Republicans say that the prosperity
oss of these city departments is wha
, s urging the Democrats 10 think OF n
MANNER of schemes TO ward off the cX
l1ny