The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-06-01
RED HOT MEETING
Chairman ZeIiuS Applies the Lie
to Alderman D'AIembsTts.
MAYOR CHARGES THAT D'AuEM-
BERTE TRIED TO INTIMIDATE
zELIUs INTO REsIeNINe-AL
DERMAN MAKES A WARM DE.
NlAL AND CHARGES VIOLATION
OF CONFIDENCE.

4 Mayor Bliss, Chairman Zelius Of the
Board Of Public Works and Alderman
/ D'Alemberte of the Twelfth Precinct
figured in a sensational episode at the
4 special meeting of the city council
which occurred last night. Parliamen-
tary language was forgotten by Mr..
! Zelius and without qualification he ap-
piled the lie direct to Alderman DIAL
I emberte when he replied to a denial
made by the Alderman from the
! Twelfth Precinct by saying You are
liar"
The cause of all the unpIeasanrness
was the Board Of Public Works chair
! manship matter, and the request Of the
council for the resignation of Chair
man Zelius of the board, and his sub
sequent refusal to step down and out.
Mayor Makes Charges.
/ The following communication from
| Mayor Bliss to the council, which Is
| self-eXplanatOry started the ball OF
| sensatiOnalism rolling:
! To the Honorable Board Of Aldermen,
City Of Pensacola.
Gentlemen regret that circum-
! stances have arisen in which my OFF,
/ cial duty cOmpelS me to bring TO your
attention serious charges against a
member of this council.
! Some weeks ago this council saw
/ fit to order an investigation OF the
/ Board of Public Works. The investi-
cation was conducted privately and &C.
| cUpied several weeks, but nothing ser
iOus was discovered, as was shOwl
by the report of the committee made u
this council. Action on this report
was made a special order for a subse-
quent meeting. In the meantime a
member of the investigating commit
tee called on Chairman ZeliUs and en-
deavOred to get him TO resign from
the craftsmanship Of the Board of Pub
lie Works. He intimated to Chairman
Zelius as an inIucement that the in
YestigatiOn would be dropped if he
would resign, and intimated further
that if he did not resign the council
would likely call for his resignation.
It is a very serious matter for a
member of this council TO attempt to
secure the resignation of a public Of
ficer, either by inducement or intimi-
datiOn, whether done officially or other
wise. especially when the said officer
is under investigation, and more es-
pecIally when the particular council
man is member of the investigating
committee.
Therefore, 1 ask this council to in
vest gate the action Of Alderman
D'AlembeTte who is a member of. the
finance committee, and who IS the par
ticular person charged with endra-
vOring TO induce or intimidate Chair
int
connection it is due to the entire in
vestigating committee that it should
be investigated and the fact ascertain
ed whether any other member Of the
committee had any collision tacit I'M
derstanding or other connection def
mite or implied with Alderman DIAL
emberte in this action.
In case the Investigation sUstains
these grave charges f. will be highly
proper for this council to at once in
stitute Impeachment proceedings
against the guilty parties.
Respectfully submitted
CHAS. II. BLISS.
Mayor.
Zelius Absent.
As soon as the communication OF
the chief executive was read Alder
man Muldon asked that unanimous
consent be granted Chairman Zeiiu5
to address the council.
A call was made for Mr. ZeIiUs and
he failed to answer. Alderman Mu,-
don moved that the chief Of police Sc
cure the attendance OF the absent
chairman Of the Board Of Public Works
and that in the time intervening that
the council take a recess. The motion
prevailed.
Chairman on Scene.
Chief Schad returned, accompanied
bv Mr. Zelius. and the crowd that fill
ed all vacant space in the council
chamber moved forward to catch
every word uttered by Mr.. Zelius.
Mr.. Zelius secured seat within the
council railing and the mayor order
ed the clerk 10 read the cOmmunica-
ton, making the allegations against
Alderman DAlemberte.
The communication has been read
said Alderman MuldOn. What we de-
sire 10 know is what transpired be-
tween Mr.. Zelius and Alderman D'Al-
emberte"
The mayor explained to MI ZeIius
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