The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-01-26
BROKE DEADLOCK
IN UPPER BOARD
Alderman Palmer Elected
President by Party Vote
Democrats Thanked Him for His Ex-
hibition of Courage at
Last Hour.
COMMITTEES ARE APPOINTED

After casting his vote for first
one and then another of his col
leagues during the "a hour session
of the board of aldermen, in the hope
that the three Democrats present
would join him in electing one of
them president, and impelled to
face a crisis by the statement of the
city solicitor That he would institute
legal proceedings soon, Alderman
Earl Palmer broke the deadlock last
night by obeying the mandates of his
party caucus and voting for himself.
1t was either Palmer or Hannah at
the last hour, and as Alderman Ham
nan is i'll, his election would have ac-
complisned nothing toward the solu-
ton of those urgent problems. legis-
lative and ministerial, which must be
disposed of by the board Of alder
men within four days.
How satisfactory his action was to
everybody Immediately concerned
was indicated by the action of Alder
men Smith and Baker who shook
MIN by the hand after the adjourn-
ment and said they were glad he had
the courage to break the deadlock.
I'VE are through with politics in the
board" they said. eve wish the
deadlock had been broken last night,
but we appl eciate your position"
President Palmer just as warmly
replied that he would be governed by
the best interests of the city rather
than politics in his course.
Then Alderman Stewart whose
sense of humor we'll known to his
friends. finds as ready subject in
himself as another, shook hands with
the president, ana remarked in mock
reproof: THAT was bit ironical,
putting me on the cemetery commit
tee"
On assuming the chair President
Palmer said:
Gentlemen of the board:
81 realize that you are all sur
prised by the action just taken by
me and it is perhaps unnecessary for
me to state to some of you how alb
solutely distasteful the action was to
me.
''No personal ambition could ever
have induced me to take advantage,
in any manner, of a political oppon-
ent when Frustrated upon a bed Of
illness, but tonight, we are confront-
ed by conditions where the welfare
Of the city is placed in jeopardy by
further continuance of this alder
manic deadlock.
"The city solicitor has just ex-
planned to us the urgency of the sit
uation and the results which would
follow If the condition had been fur
ther prolonged. AS citizen of Pa
ducah, was anxious to see this con-
dition improved, and as an alderman
of the city of Paducah, it was my
duty to work an improvement in the
condition if possible.
"An all wise providence opened the
way, and while none can more deep
ly deplore than I, the fact that one
of our fellow members is Frustrated,
1 believed it to be my duty to avail
myself of the opportunity thus Offer
ed to bring about a better condition.
''In this decision, l was guided by
the advice Of no one. did my duty
as l saw it and the consequences of
my action rests upon my head alone"
The real cause of the breaking OF
the deadlock is attributed by some
to Solicitor James Campbell, Jr. He
spoke briefly after ten ballots were
taken with no result
"This deadlock is growing seri-
ous," he declared. 81 do not want to
be considered as 'butting in but
feel it my duty to interfere If these
conditions continue. 1t will ultimate
ly result in costly litigation, and I
warn both factions alike. If this
deadlock is not soon broken, If some
compromise is not effected, I shall
mandamus you to pass bills. ac-
counts and other financial matters
that can not stand delay"
With this Solicitor Campbell sat
down. Clerk Bailey took up his roll
call pad and began to sing out the
names on the eleventh ballot. There
was a little ripple of surprise heard
when Alderman Palmer called out
clearly and distinctly Palmer" but
the applause seemed general.
City Clerk Bailey who has been