The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-09-04
"A SENSATION AT
COUNCIL MEETING

( COUNCIL MEETING
City Engineer F. E. Kupp Gives q
Shock to Select Councilmen by
{. Reading His Resignation, Follow
ing It with Long Statement in
: Which He Alleges the Cause There
for to Be the Interference in His
Duties by Select Councilman John
Davis and Common Councilman
Robert NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Is
Final.
Perhaps the most pronounced sensa-
don at meeting Of councils, In the
history of Carbondale, took place at
the meeting of select council last night.
City Engineer F. e. Kupp caused
figurative explosion of a lyddite shell
by reading his resignation, to take
effect Monday, Sept. Is.
Before the first shock subsided, Mr..
Kupp produced even a greater one by
alleging as his reason for resigning
the interference and embarrassment in
his official duties, caused by Select
Councilman John Davis, Of the Third
ward, president of the upper branch,
and Common Councilman Robert s.
Whitfield, of the same ward.
After the city engineer ended the
volley of charges that in his opinion
amounted to persecution, more partlcu-
larly from Mr.. Davis, Mr.. Humphrey,
the member of select from the Second
ward, moved that committee be ap-
pointed to wait on Mr.. Kupp and seek
q reconsideration of the wholly un-
expected resignation. Chairman Davis
appointed himself, Mr.. Humphrey and
Mr.. Solomon. Mr.. Kupp, however, was
firm. He politely but firmly persisted
In his course, declaring that he had
an excellent offer from out of the city,
which he would not sacrifice by re-
Imaining in Carbondale, where his path
way had been so hedged about with
difficulties by the councilmen he re-
ferred to- particularly Mr.. Davis.
> Select council had finished it's busi-
ness, and the members were rising in
their seats following a motion of DIR.
Fletcher's to adjourn. The reporters
were making their way out of the
council chamber when Mr. Kupp raised
his hand, in which there was folded
paper, signalling the body to remain a
moment. He began to read: "Presi-
dent of select council and gentlemen:
hereby tender my resignation as city
engineer Of Carbondale, to become eff
fective Sept. Is. Your servant, F. f.
Kupp."
An intense silence followed, and for
an instant the members Of council
looked at each other bewilderingly, and
as if to seek an explanation one from
the other, for the shock which all had
received
Dr. Fletcher was the first to break
the silence. "Ths is certainly a sur
PRISE" he exclaimed, while the others
bowed their assent. "It comes to us
like a thunder clap from clear sky.
The council would certainly like to
hear from you, Mr.. Kupp, If there be
any reason leading to this
Mr.. Mannion followed by declaring
that Mr.. Kupp had been such good
official that council would certainly
want to know if~there was any un-
toward incident responsible for the res
ignation.
Both of these suggestions pleased Mr..
Kupp and leaning against the railing
he explained at length his reasons for
resigning.
MIR. Kupp spoke for perhaps ten min
utes. He led up to his structures on
President Davis and Mr.. Whitfield by
affirming it was his policy to do the
best he could for Carbondale from the
time he took office, and explained that
the first trouble he encountered was
when he endeavored to enforce the
laying of sidewalks on Washington
street in the Third ward. In the upper
wards, hi~ relations with the council
men there We're wholly satisfactory,
but in the Third ward he encountered
trouble. He claimed that a sentiment
had been worked up against him by
Mr.. Davis and Mr.. Whitfield, which
resulted in certain Of the property
owners rebelling against his orders as
to sidewalk laying.
Mr.. Kupp then went on to enumer-
ate the instances in which, as he
claimed, Mr.. Davis had interfered, en-
barrassed and harassed him. He was
lnsulted he said, by residents of the
Third ward, when he tried to enforce
ordinances or carry on work. The wo-
men rebelled against him, declaring
that "Mr. Davis would look after
things for them.
Mr.. Kupp claimed that Mr.. Davis
misrepresented him about the town,
belittled his work, crossed his official
path in devious ways, that finally he
1.-THE city engineer) was SO disgusted
that he never cared to go to the Third
ward. This condition of affairs had
become intolerable, and he would rath-
er resign than continue facing the an
noying circumstances which he credit
ed to the activity of Mr.. Davis. Fur
thermore he had an offer of a better
position and decided to accept. He did
decide to remain here. This was few
weeks ago, but conditions in the mean
time had not changed here, and he had
now made up his mind to go.
. -Mr. Davis waited until Mr.. Kupp had
finished, then he began to resent the
eharges. He declared that the city en-
yhleess .teds and that as he had not told
she- truth in the first place he could
not be- credited.