The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-26
PEOPLE GIVE GREAT
OVATION TO MAYOR
Latter Believes He Is Under
mining Strength Of Machine.
Situation Growing Hourly
More Tense Rumor That
Effort Will be Made TO
Inpeach Weaver.

tBy Associated Press, /,

Ell PHILADELPHIA, May 25.-Tho bitter
feeling that has been engendered by the
gas lease fight was intensified o-day
when Mayor Weaver practically elected
from the offices OF the Departments Of
Public Safety and Public Works his two
former directors and again Installed the
men appointed by him on Tuesday night
Sg The action Of the Mayor to-day 5Wrls
the most sensational moyo that he has
yet made. The moment the news flashed
through the great city building that the
old directors we're out and the new men
in, ru,nors flew thick and fast that q
wholesale dismissal of Il bureau chiefs
and other officials was about to occur.
While the Mayor was ordering his old
directors out Of their offices. his attor-
sneys appeared in the Supreme Court and
obtained special supersede deas suspend a
ing the temporary injunction granted to
the old directors yesterday by the Coun-
Bty Court. 3s3 * ~ I88.s
i IA dramatic incident OF the day was
the great ovation given Mayor w eayer
by several thousand persons, while on
his way from the City Hall to the Union
League Club for lunch: RI!
Move to Impeach Mayor.
IN the thick OF the fight this ter
noon came the story. but from where
no one appears to know. that the Mayor
IS to be sinapeachea, but for what par-
5ticular offense was not clearly defined.
one runor had 1t that he would be
brought before the bar OF City Councils
for his conduct OF an election fraud case
while he was district attorney, and an;
other rumor had 1t that he was to be
made to answer for some alleged lapse
of duty while In his present position.
All attempts to confirm the 81 impeach-
3ments Is ruInors failed, but at the same
time no one could q bo Il induced & To- deny
them. 53FS
I5t-5The organization 4 leaders say they con-
tinue to stand pa. on the gas lease,
and that their ranks are tsolid ALI along
the line. 4 On the other hand, Mayor
Weaver announced late to-day that he
had assurances that n no vote in both
Council chambers. when his veto IS con;
Ssidered will be changed ma terially from
the vote taken last week. .S One council-
man publicly ANNOUNCED to-day that he
would 4 change his vote. and It is under
stood 4 that the Mayor has the direct
promise from u several others that they
will sustain him. & RI q, {
Situation Tense.
The situation is u daily growing moro
tense. III In all sections Of the city,, the
reform; organizations and tho newspape
have aroused citizens to take n hand In
the fight. Tho council Imen who favor the
gas lease are having a hard time OF 5sit.
They are being swanped with protests.
and delegations Of neighbors are calling
on them ut their homes or places OF
business or are holding them up on the
streets Many&o them reply that they
are for the leaNe 50 long as the peer
less leader as Commissioner Durham
is affectionntely called by the organs
zation men, is for | t. s.y
Mayor B Weaver Is receiving hundreds
OF letters and kilograms OF congratula-
tion. Among them was the following:
II congratulate you on the firm stand
}you have takenSin behalf OF the people. &
"EDWARD FL DUNNE,
Ii Mayor OF Chicago.!,"'3ss8s
Councilmen Coming Over. 5
AS a result Of the agitation against
the lease. three select and Six common
councllmeni have now announced that they
would change hteir vote on tho lease.
This would make the vote in select
council stand 81 for the lease and 8
against, and In common council. 6S for
and 16 against. 1t takes two-thirds
voteyto pass an ordinance over the may
or's veto. ]l