The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-01-05
MAY BE A BOLT
IN THE CAUCUS
epubIican CounGiImen Are Still
Drifting Apart.
NO SIGNS OF A SETTLEMENT
ACTIVITY OF OUTSIDE INTER.
ESTS IN THE TANGLE.
NO SIGNS OF A SETTLEMENT

pOuuC1anS peen so worked up as they
were yesterday over the failure of the
Republican councilmen-elect to agree
in caucus upon a nominee for presi-
dent Conflicting opinions were heard
as TO the wisdom or otherwise on the
part of Councilmen Robertson and
Davis, together witn Daveler and Vigus,
in refusing to caucus with the other
seven on The question Friday night.
Public interest in the cOuncilmanic
deadlock took a fresh hold. and it viii
probably not abate until the contest
is decided Or Monday noon, when the
new council viii organize.
Late yesterday afternoon uncon-
nrmed reports were heard that the sit
uation had cleared in favor Of Davis
candidacy for the presidency On the
other hand authentic declarations were
made that Cottrell is certain Of win
nlng the honor. So little was heard
about the boom started by Mr.. Daveler
in his own behalf as a compromise
Eominee of the caucus. that it is be-
lieved even by himself that it has fat
tened cut.
Nay Be a Bolt.
None Of the seven Republican coun-
eilmen would venture a prediction of
what would likely result from the eff
forts to hold an adjourned caucus this
afternoon. In one quarter the belief
was expressed that the caucus would
again fail Of agreement and that a
bolt is imminent. in which more than
Robertson and Davis would join.
A close friend of the non Mormon
contingent offered to wager that all
four or five Of them. not counting
Thomas, would bolt the caucus rather
than support COttrell as a nominee for
council president on an issue that be-
cause the mayor is not Mormon and
COtirell is he should be chosen in or
der 70 balance tie religious alignment
Of the new city administration. When
the Gentle members were appealed to
for a confirmation of this rUmor they
declined TO make any statement.
As the situation appeared last night,
one mans guess is as good as an
others on what the probable outcome
OF the contest will be. If it as settled
in caucus this afternoon, as seems
doubtful, COttrell will probably be
named for president, but with a contin"
nation of the disagreement on to the
floor of the council Monday noon,
where the votes of the four Democrats
will be called. no one can foretell who
viii be chosen to the presidency, nor
Cottrell Scheme Reported.
A distinct development yesterday was
the rumor that a scheme was framed
three weeks ago TO- select Cottrell for
president in caucus. The gloved handa
Of County Commissioner Anderson and
Revenue Collector Callister were un-
mistakably seen in the scheme, al
though it had been suspected all along
that they were eXerting themselves in
Behalf Of the courcilmaa from their
precinct.
The quiet cork of Anderson and Cal
lister yesterday presented a bold front
and both Democratic and Republican
cOuncilmen were approached by them
and their henchmen. 10 the former
appeals were made to keep their hands
off the fight until it appeare.l that Cot
trell needed their votes, when they
would be acceptable under promise Of
large rewards in the way of influence
from the Republican machine.
Such of the Republicans who were
deemed to be approachable with safety
were told Of the necessity of having
the power of the council presidency
and the distribution of committee
chairmanships fixed on basis of Nor
mon, to the exclusion of the nOn-MoT-
mon minority in the council.
Activity or Anderson.
The probable candidacy of Mr.. An
derson for the Republican nomination
for congressman next fall was put forth
as an excuse for the activity of him
self and Mr.. Callister in attempting to
settle the disagreement of the members
of his own party as to who should fill
the presidential chair in the council.
There is much political power in the
council presidency for whichever fac
ton is in control.
Until Friday night the only known
opponent of Councilman Davis for the
presidency was Councilman John J.
Thomas But just before the caucus
commenced he announced his with
drawal and support of CottreIl. This
was a revelation, the full import of
which was not known until yesterday.
1t developed to a certainty that
Thomas did not have more than his
own vote, and that the promised sup
port of him for the presidency was a
ruse 90 keep him in the foreground I'M
I'll such time as it was deemed ex-
pedient to announce CottreiPs eandi-
dacy.
The strange feature is that Thomas
affects only passive feeling at the
treaehery done him. He is 2 supporter
OF Cottrell on the assurance that he
committee.
Cottrell Has a Slate.
Already Cottrell the prospective
president, has made out his slate of
committee chairmanships, in fulilment
of pledges made for support. Besides
putting Thomas down for chairman of
the finance committee, Hewlett is slated
for chairman of the committee on
waterWorks and also Of the committee
on parks and public grounds. Eardley
comes next for chairman of the COM
mittee on streets. Another coveted as
signaent is the head of the street
sprinkling committee. and this Will go
10 Robinson. Spence will get the chair
nianship Of the committee on public
health
The acme Of CottreIs plans is to con-
solidate the committees on police and
fire departments, and to place himself
IN the Craftsmanship. There are only
two other desirable chairmanships, and
these are committees on irrigation and
cemetery. AS a sop to Davis he viii
BE- offered the Craftsmanship of the
first named committee. and Sharp will
get the other. Robertson and Vigus
will get the Craftsmanship of the COM
.nittee on enrolment and markets
probably positions which are without
honor or political power.
CounciImeS Robertson and Davis
were the recipients yesterday of many
compliments from an admiring con-
sfituency On the stand they had taken
at Friday nights caucus in refusing To
he swallowed in one gulp by the ma
jority faction of the Republican eleven
The encouragement given them to
stand firm in refusing to yield to what
appears to them to be an unfair com
pact. will probably have much to dc
in prompting them and Daveler and
Vteus. and probably also Sharp. Il
their course today and tomorrow.
The Democratic four are keeping