The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-04-05


ing Into Court to Have Mr.. Dickert
ousted--Relief Stopped on Woman
Who Visited Seashore.
Contrary to expectations there was
nothing of lively nature attending
the attempt of Attorney John j.
Murphy to have the poor board yester-
Der from the old South ward Of Scran.
ton. Mr.. Murphy simply made formal
demand to be seated and upon his de-
mand being refused quietly withdrew.
Mr.. Murphy, and NJ. +. Handley, who
claims he was elected from the North
ward to succeed Mr.. Fuller, arrived at
the meeting early and took seats in the
spectators chairs. James A. Evans,
who was returned as elected from Hyde
Park to succeed DR.. w. A. Paine came
in when the meeting was half over.
and took u seat apart from Messrs
Murphy and Handley.
At the opening of the meeting, Sec
ceived a communication from Judge
Edwards conveying notice of the re-
appointment of Frederick Fuller Of the
North ward and Thomas Shotton, of
Providence borough. The commune
cations were ordered filed and the ap-
pointees admitted to seats.
After the routine business had been
transacted and as the board was about
to adjourn, Mr.. Murphy advanced to
the railing enclosing the members, and
asked Chairman Fuller for the privilege
of the floor. Mr.. Fuller asked the
board what it's pleasure was In the
matter and DR.. Paine moved that Mr..
Murphy be heard. The motion was un-
animously passed and Mr.. Murphy
thereupon renewed the demand he
made at the last meeting that he be
seated as the member from the South
ward.
MADE FURTHER DEMAND.
"rhis being the first meeting under
the new term of several of the men,
bers," Mr. Murphy said, II wish to
make fur her demand for my seat as
the men Ger from the South ward,
under an election held last February
to fill vacancy. I have presented my
certificate and subscribed to the oath
of office before the prothonotary. AT
the last meeting which was the final
meeting under the old term, 1t may
not have been incumbent on you to
recognize me. AT this meeting now
ever, I am entitled to my seat and l
hereby make demand that be seated.
What is your pleasure, gentlemen,
regarding Mr.. Murphys demand?' in
quired Chairman Fuller.
Mr. Shotton said: cat the last meet
ing, resolution introduced by me, was
adopted declaring that it was the sense
OF the meeting that this board was an
appointlve board, and that until court
decides differently / feel in duty bound
to act as if this was an appointive
board"
you do not contend, do YOU" queri-
ed Mr. Murphy, that it is appointive
in all cases. Remember am only ask
ing that myself shall be seated. am
not seeking to have u whole new cleo
ton board installed. Judge Edwards
declared some years ago that this board
was elective. the supreme court affirm
ed that finding, and Judge Edwards
yesterday, reiterated it.
But" said Mr.. Shotton, "the court
directs that you institute quo warranto
proceedings to test the validity of your
election"
mo" retorted Mr.. Murphy, "that is
not what the court said. What 1t did
say was that the parties should settle
the matter by future legal proceedings.
A quo warranto must be directed
againts some one claiming title to
something. 1t is against me the quo
warranto should be directed. If any
member of this board will show me
any one having title to my seat, Will
surrender"
DEMAND WAS REFUSED.
There was pause of some moments
in the discussion and then Mr.. Shotton
moved that Mr.. Murphys demand be
refused The motion was adopted
without dissent.
Mr.. Murphy formally repeated the
demand as attorney for Mr.. Handley
and the same action was taken by the
board. MI Murphy and Mr.. Handley
withdrew and the board soon after
wards adjourned. Mr.. Evans sat
through the proceedings without max
ing any move. Mr.. Murphy proposes
to go into court, now, and test the
legality of Mr.. Dickert occupying the
South ward seat.
The routine busines of the board de-
veloped little of general interest. The
case of Herman Klauss, man employ
ed by Contractor Stipp, on Colonel
Watres new home, who had his eyes
blown out by the explosion of stick
of dynamite was presented by neigh
bor for the boards consideration. Col
onel Watres and Mr. Stipp paid Off
MORTGAGE on Klauss' home and sub
scribed IL fund for his education at a
Philadelphia institution for the blind,
The board is asked 10 take care of his
wife and four small children. The
motion was referred to Mr.. Burke with
power to act.
The report of Superintendent Beemer
showed All inmates of Hillside Home at
the end of March an increase or one
over the preceding month. or this
number 25S are insane and 2l3 sane.
There were only four applicants for
relief. One of them was u West Scran-
ton woman whose allowance of IS a
month was cut off by Doctor Paine,
because of his having learned that she
spent a season ut Atlantic City last
summer and attended a Continental
Keg Fund excursion. She explained
that she went to Atlantic City with an
invalid who paid all her expenses, and
that the ticket to the excursion was
given to her. The board dismissed her