The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-07-03

1t was fully expected that last
nights meeting of the aldermen, call
ed for the express purpose Of recon
Sideration of the rejection of the liquor
application make by Mr.. Joseph S.
S~needen, was not golng to be strictly
harmonious, but it was not anticipated
that it would partake Of a sensational
nature Yet it was of such a charac-
ter, and very regrettably so.
The salient feature was a fight be-
tween Hon. John D. Bellamy, ex-con-
gresham from this district. and Police
Chief John j.. Furlong. But there
were other events and all about that
one liquor application.
From the very commencement of the
meeting the waters We're troubled .
which made it plainly evident that a
storm was brewing, but the cyclone
that did burst forth sharply and sud
denly was decidedly unexpected.
The session opened with eight of the
ten members of the board present-Al-
dermen Murrell. Sweeney, Kari. CAT
ford, Moore. w. H. Yopp. Tiencker
and Behrends. Mayor Springer pre-
sided, with Mr.. Chas. H. White acting
clerk.
Mayor Springer called the meeting to
order and stated that it had been call
ed for the express purpose of taking
some action on the application made
at n last meeting by Mr.. Sneeden and
which application had been rejected;
that the meeting had been called at the
request of three of the aldermen.
Acting Clerk White read the call,
which was signed by Aldermen W. II.
Gopp, Sweeney and Gafford.
At this stage of the proceedings AL
derman w. z. Yopp arrived, which
made all the members present save AL
derman Hashagen.
The meeting here got into a lethargic
state. and failed to be by
Mayor Springer's iteration and reiter-
alton:
What is the pleasure of the board.
gentlemen"
Alderman Sweeney said that Alder
man Gafford's was the first name sign
ed to the call and that that gentleman
should be heard from.
| Alderman GaffOrd replied saying that
Alderman Sweeney was mistaken, as
Alderman w. H. Yopp's name appear
| ed first.
The last mentioned alderman re-
| sponded at once and stated that he had
| signed the call through courtesy tC
| Hon. John D. Bellamy, who desired
to bring a certain matter before the
/ board.
y minute or two more Of lethargy en-
sued. to be finally broker by Mayor
| Springer stating that the meeting had
| been called for a specific purpose and
| he wanted some action, one way or the
| ether, taken.
l More lethargy.
! Then Alderman Kari moved to adj
| journ.
Alderman Murrell seconded the mo.
| ton, which. not beng discussable, wa:
| placed before the meeting and lost. Al
| dermen Kari. Murrell. Sweeney anC
| Moore voted for the adjournment. anC
| Aldermen w. H. YopD. " z. Yopp
| Behrends. Gafford and Tiencken voted
/ against it.
Aldermen Behrends here arose anG
/ appropriately inquired why the alder
men signed the call"
Alderman Gafford made a motion t.
l reconsider Mr.. Sneeden'S application
| but the mex moment he had to with.
| draw the motion as he had voted with
the minority on the original question
4 And yet more lethargy.
Alderman Moore placed another mo-
ton for adjournment before the meet.
ing. blu 1t shared the fate of the othel
by the same vote.
Mayor Springer remarked satirical
iy and srimly that there appeared t.
be a dead lock-"
Alderman W. H. Yopp stated tha
could not make a motion for reconsid
Grafton Is he had not voted on tn.
original question.
Alderman Behrends finally moved
reconsideration and this motion me
with a second from Alderman Gafford
1t was carried by two majority. Alder
men Sweeney. Kari. MurreIl and Moor
voting in the negative.
APPROACH OF THE STORM.
By permission Of the board Hon
John D. Bellamy was permitted Z
speak. He stated that he was pres
ent on behalf Of Mr.. Sneeden to asl
that the former action on his liquor ap
~plicatiOn be reCOnSidered and the ap
%plicatiOn granted. He said he knew
that there was now a strong prohibi
ton sentiment in the atmosphere am
that he was not advocating the sa'
loon. but was advocating equal right
to all citizens and not dissemination
that he had known Mr.. Sneeden 70
many years and knew him 10 be a MAJ
of good character so it appeared
strange that all other application
should be granted and his rejected.
LITTLE MORE THUNDER.
By way of parenthesis. it is we'll I
state that at the last meeting, whel
the application was rejected, Polio
Chief FurlOng stated that he conSid
cred Mr.. Sneeden's saloon the viles
place IN the city and that Mr.. Sneedel
had been indicted for selling whiske.
On Sunday. 1t was Mr.. Bellamy's a
fusion to the latter charge that precip
itated the fight.
why gentleman Of the board" sait
Mr.. Bellamy. Mr.. Sneeden was no
indicted for selling liquor on Sunday
but it "a a neg named Ben one
for | defended him."
Here Police Chief Furlong asked per