The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-19

Carried Out-Policeman Draws Re-
yolyer in Gallery and Cops Guard
Councllmen When They Leave the Hall
-Onicials Evidently Feared to Clear
Galleries-Belief That Mayor Weaver
Will Veto the Enactment and That
Il VIII he Passed Over His Head.
PHILADELPHIA, May ls.-In the face OF
the most riotols demonstration Of pro-
test ever seen in City Hall, Councils to-
night jammed through the lease of the
Philadelphia gas works, turning down
practically without consideration the bid
OF the syndicate Of New York capitalists
known as the E. B. Smith 4 Co. syndicate.
The offer of the United Gas Impro vement
Company, the present lessee Of the city
plant, for seventy-five year lease, amended
40 that the city will get 30 cent gas in 1858,
now waits the Mayors acton. In Common
Council the vote was "a to Q, and in the
upper branch the result stood 81 to 4.
The afternoons proceedings were accom-
panied by the widest disorder ever seen
within the walls of City Hall. At O'Clock
the finance committee received the report
Of the subcommittee, recommending the
acceptance OF the U. G. LIS proposition. The
chamber in which the committee meets Is
not commodious and the crowd Of eager
citizens that jammed it made it rather
ditncut for the members OF the committee
10 move about.
In the corridor hundreds pushed, tugged
and tramp!ed over each other in a mad
effort to see what was going on inside.
Some one in a spirit OF fun started singing
well hang Tom Dolan on the sour apple
tree" but the crowd was not in joking
mood and when the several hundred voices
took up the strain it was in spirit Of grim
determination.
Indde the tension was great, and once
or twice Alexander De Haven, chairman
OF the finance committee, threatened to
clear the room. The report throwing out
the Smith bid was heard, however, with
breathless interest. The reasons given
we're hazy. 1t was declared that the terms
we're not clear and what benefit the city
would receive was defined in terms too
problematcal for consideration
The crowd jeered, and when Mr.. De
Haven shouted: I'll have you all thrown
out, the sergeants at arms We're not per-
ceptibly enthusiastic. "Robbers." shouted
some one from the rear Of the room. and
from then until the close of the meeting
similar gbes at the committeeman were
made at frequent intervals. ~
Charlie Seger Boss Durham's right hand
man, then ordered the reading of the re-
port rejecting the Smith bid and approving
the U. G. |. offer. A man in the rear wanted
TO make a speech in opposition, but the
committee wouldn't allow it.
Our time is limited" Chairman De Haven
explained. .We have other meetings and
a caucus at O'Clock"
1t was then 80 O'Clock and the crowd
thought it saw a shadow Of gag.
Shame! Shame! Shame!" followed by a
storm Of Kisses, greeted De Haven. IF
you go on like this III fire you out he
shouted.
Try it," retorted the crowd.
The chair then signifed that it would
hear from John G. Winston Of the COM
mittee of seventy, but he waived his right
to speak in favor of ex-Judge Gordon.
The latter demanded that a letter from
the Mayor urging postponement be read.
1t vas the first time Mayor Weaver's name
had been mentioned and the crowd hootei.
The letter was read and there was an
awkward pause.
Move to postpone consideration Of the
Mayors message, said committeeman
There was not a vote of dissent. Ex-Judge
Gordon then gave Charlie Seger and Jake
Henderson a very bad half hour. He told
them he did not blame Tom Dolan.
'Dolan is shrewd Scotch-Irishman, -
he declared. 'He Is acting for the best
interests OF his corporation, and is not to be
blamed. But you gentlemen also have a
corporation to look out for-the corporation
Of the city of Philadelphia which her citi-
zens have entrusted to your hands. Why
don't you be shrewd Scotch-Irishmen,
.oo?"
Gordon drew from seger tine admission
that he did not know the earnings of the
L, G. /. for last year, nor had he taken the
trouble to look the matter up. ES-Minister
to Italy William Potter protested and evoked
cheers. Then. after hearing three solid
hours Of speeches, the committee imme-
diately voted to present the report of the
subcommittee to Councils without any
recommendations.
The crowd upon hearing the result
gave howl Of Indignation, then moved
bodily upon Councils. There we're 1000
OF them by this time, and az they marched
along the corridors singing We'll hang
Tom Dolan on a sour apple tree the
echoes revcrberatsd throughout the
building.
Tha-e Vas a mad scamper for seats in
'ne galleries OF both chambers, and stall
wart lrishman upon gaining seat in tho
front row threw a rope over the railing
to which was attached sign: This Is
for Our Councilmen." This was the signal
for the others, anc in an instant number
OF ropes were dai cling down.
As the Councilman took their seats those
in the galleries above changed their lay
to, Hail! Hail! the Gangs All Here
"Order Order!" shouted President
McCurdy.
Shut up retorted galleryite.
Clear the galleries cried McCurdy
Try it, you thieves!' shrieked dozen