The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-26
MOB CONVERTS A COUNCILMAN
ANGRY CROVD EFFORTS PROMISE
TO OPPOSE GAS LEASE.
Philadelphia Gang Plans 70 In,peach Mayor
weaver on Malfeasance Charge nj
Special Councils Meeting To-day
DISCHARGED Ofholais Out Again

Special Councils Meeting To-day
Discharged Offiolais Out Again.
PHILADELPHIA. MAY 25.--Walter T.
Sykes. Mayor Weaver's Select Councilman
who voted for the gas lease. was forced
tonight by mob which threatened him,
his house and his factory, to promise to
support the Mayors veto Of the gas lease.
Sykes is rich manufacturer. He was
called upon first by delegation Of wealthy
business men and was told that he must
either resign from Councils or support the
veto. Tonight a mob OF thousands sur
rounded his big automobile works and
with boots and threats moved 10 his house.
The police were powerless against them,
and when the mob came to the house they
yelled for him to come out. Sykes APP
peared white and trembling.
There were cries of burn the house II he
won't consent" and kindred EXPLANATIONS.
Finally Sykes. almost weeping with fear,
swore with uplifted hand to support the
veto Then the mob moved away Three
more Select Councilmen went over to the
Mayor tonight. making seven out Of forty,
and OF the eighty-four Common Council
men fourteen are now for him. He must
Select Councilmen to win.
After mass meeting Of 1900 men at
Over brook, the Mayors home, had add
journed tonight, the whole audience pa
raded to the home Of Mayor Weaver, where
they cheered shouted for the Mayor and
Mrs. Weaver and finally sang MY Country,
IT'S Of Thee
Through a writ Of supercedeas obtained
by Mayor Weaver and his counsel, ex-Judge
Gordon from Chief Justice Mitchell and
Justice Potter of the Supreme Court, Direc-
tor Of Public Safety smyth and Director
of Public Works Costello were removed
to-day from the offices they had resumed
by virtue Of Common Pleas Court lnjuno-
ton. Directors Potter and Acker, whom
the Mayor appointed on Tuesday. then took
their places. The Mayor, himself, fanked
by detectives, elected his former officials.
In reprisal it Is probable that to morrow
the organization leaders will impeach the
Mayor for malfeasance in Office. All this
afternoon Durham, State Senator McNichol,
Councilman Charles Seger and the principal
leutenants Of the organizatio were in con-
ference with number Of lawyers. headed
by A. S. l.. Shield. the most successful
criminal lawyer Of the local bar.
A bill Of particulars has been dra wn up
and. il the program goes through. councils
will be ca He'd in special session to -morrow
and the impea chment proceedings will be
rushed through. II they are successful
the Mayor " Ill be forced out OF office by
@ clock. OF course tho courts will be
appealed to in that case and he won't stay
out long.
The charges against Mayor Weaver
will include using his office to further the
business of his law firm accepting gifts
from city contractors in violation OF the
Bullitt bin, accepting gifts from municipal
employees in violation OF the same measure
and various acts having to do with the trial
of Samuel Salter, ballot box stuffer, who
was acquitted with Weaver as District
Attorney.
Only the most rabid partizans Of the
organization believe that Impeachment
proceedings will help the organize ton.
The Mayors supporters are praying for
such action. 1t is the one thing needed,
they say. to make his position impreg-
nable. 1t would appear to most persons
to be persecution, would make Weaver q
first class martyr and would change the
already formidable fire Of public opinion
to a raging fame.
Councils are beginning to weaken. De-
fections from, the ranks are beginning
and under the terrific pressure being
brought to bear upon Councimen il is
grave question how long they can be de-
pended upon by the. machine. This will
make the organization push through the
impeachment proceedings while there Ia
still a working majority or 1t will result in
message from the U. G. l. that they cannot
accept the amended lease, and prevent
the Mayor veto in the measure from going
TO Councils next Thursday.
Directors Costello and Smyth were
elected from Office to-day on the ground
that they were treaplssers and usurpers
They had gone to work as OF old, in spite
by the Mayor. relying on the injunction
by which they had prevented their sue
cessors from taking Office. Capt. Donaghy
Of the Detective Bureau was sent for by
the Mayor, and with two Of his men he
delivered letters from the Ma yorito Smyth
The Mayor allowed the two deposed
officials about fifteen minutes. to read his
communications and then, before they
could intrench Themselves behind any
real or legal barriers, he went to the De-
partment Of Public Works with the de-
tello was found in his office and the Mayor
briefly but pointedly repeated his de-
mands that he get out. Costello glanced
at the detectives.
Il always oboy the law he said.
The Mayor. after placing Detective Bond
in charge Of his inner office, left the de-
part ment and, with Judge Gordon at his
side, and Donaghy and Detective Duey
folio wing, went through the Same cere-
mony at the Depart ment Of Public Safety
wi, h Director Smyth. Donaghv later ex-
planned the Mayors movements as "a tech
meal eject ment by force"
Not long after Costello and Smyth had
left Directors Potter and Acker appeared
and took heir desks. Throughout the rest
= the day they exercised their powers ss