The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-24
CHAIRMEN OF COUNCILS.
Men Who Are Being Named for
the Positions in the Two
Branches.

The Democrats and Republicans of
both branches of councils will caucus
within the next week or two to deter
mine upon an organization policy and
TO select candidates for chairmen.
Every wind that blows accordingly
bears some new rumor as to who these
candidates will be
The political complexion of each
council Will be materially changed at
ter April |. The Republicans now have
"a majority of one in select. After April
l the Democrats will have majority
of one. The common branch is ut pres
ent divided evenly politically. there be-
ing nineteen Democrats and nineteen
Republicans. a Democratic chairman
presides because at the first of the year
the Democrats We're in the majority.
the additional members not having Sc
cured their seats. After April ! there
will be twenty-one Republicans and
seventeen Democrats in common Coun-
ell, giving the former a ma ajority of
four
The Democrats in select council are
in the majority for the first time in
many Years and are in high glee but
there is Il very strong possibility that
they will fail to agree upon a candidate
for the chairmanship. Prof. j. j. Cos
telo. of the Third ward, is an avowed
candidate, but there is every reason
to believe that he will not have the uni
ted strength of the Democrats d. W.
Vaughan Is also mentioned but 1t is
questionable If he could secure Il united
support.
A councilman stated to Il Tribune
man Saturday that he looked forward
to Il repetition of the memorable or
ganzation some years ago when the
Democrats had q majority but when
Colonel George Sanderson was elected
chairman over d. w. Vaughan because
of the detection of two Democratic
votes.
The Republican members of select
have not discussed the situation as yet
and have not decided whether to give
up the fight or make / try at wrestling
victory from apparent defeat. 1t is
probable that they will fight and that
an effort will be made to induce Chair
man Chittenden to be candidate for
collection despite the fact that the lat
ter gentleman would much prefer to be
upon the floor.
Il. T.. Robathan, of the Fifth ward.
has announced himself as Il candidate
for the Republican nomination for
chairman of common council. No op-
position to him has manifested itself as
yet though some of the friends of I4uth
er Keller are pressing him to become
a candidate. Mr.. Keller has not yet
expressed an opinion as to what his
course will be. a prominent Demo-
cratic member of common council said
the other day that there would be no
Democratic candidate nut up. His
word must be accepted until a caucus is
held and a decision arrived at by the
members Of the minority party.
The chances favor the election of AS
sistant City Clerk Evan Morris as clerk
though Harry Hatton and Edward r.
ConlcN, who have announced them
selves as Republican candidates are
making an energetic canvass. w. \.
Lynett, the present incumbent is also
fighting for reelection and thinks that
the DETECTING of three Republican
votes to his support is very small
matter.
A city clerk is to be elected this year
by councils in joint session and the
present incumbent, Martin II. Lavelle.
is u candidate for recollection as a mat
ter of course. During the last two
months there have been rumors of an
opposing candidate for the city clerk
ship, but they have died out of late.
There was "a story current at one time
that certain parties to whose conduct
of affairs Mr.. Lavelle has strenuously
objected, would run candidate
against him but this has not been
heard during the past two or three
weeks.
Smoke El Belmont. Coursen's. -