The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-08-31
TOMLINSON A
 NEAR WINNER Would Have Won $350 Job If He Got His Full Party
 Strength BUT HE DIDN'T AND
 THEREBY HANGS A TALE
 TWO TIMES LOSER IS HE More Fuss Over Trolley Co.'s Peti- ton for 1O-Foot Centers, Which
 Is Finally Refused

Is Finally Refused
 CT cannot find 25 votes among 24 a1- dermen," said Mayor Lee last night at the meeting of the Common Council. It was when the tellers announced that 13 votes had been cast for James Fa1vey, Democrat and 12 for F. w. Tonnlinson Republican for military enrollTnent registrar. This gave a to- tai of 25, although the full quota of A aldermen was sitting at the time. As such a ballot was defective Alder men Bertilson and Tague passed the ballots again and again the result was the same. This caused Alderman Primrose to inquire if some penalty did not attach the stuffing of the bal lot box, to which the mayor replied that the only punishment he knew of was a late return home for the alder men. The third experiment brought better results, as 13 votes had been cast in favor of James F'alvey and Il for F. W. Tomlinson. James Falvey was declared elected military enroll ment registrar, an office that carries an annual remuneration of $350. The board is evenly divided politically, the mayor having the deciding vote. Had each party merely shown it's full strength tie would have
 
 cast the deciding vote in favor of the Repu blican candidate. As it turned out one of the Republican aldermen voted for the Democratic candidate, connected with the D. M. Read Co.,, and is a popular young man, residing in the Seventh district. This is his first political office. F. w. Tom1in- man from the eth district was can. didate for enroller three years ago, when he was defeated by Robert w. Van Stone, a fellow Republican. At caucus of his party and voted for Van Stone whom he regarded as a more deserving candidate. This caused a breech in the relations between Jack that last nights flop on the part of some Republican to the Democratic candidate is am aftermath of the incl dent of three years ago. Four years ago Tomlfnson represented the Ninth district in the Board of Aldermen.
 Tomlinson was nominate ed last night by Alderman Wilson, and Falvey by Alderman Carroll.
 The irregularities in procedure did not cease with the election of mili- tary enrolment registrars, as the question of allowing the traction con- pany a ten-foot center on Main street brought forth another odd situation. The vote finally resulted in a tie, the mayor breaking it by voting with those who opposed granting the com pany the privilege. The matter was brought to the attention of the Coun- cil by Alderman Gould, who moved that the action taken by the Council at the last meeting when the company was refused permission for the in creased centre be rescinded.
 When rising vote was taken the result showed 10 for and 10 against re- Scinding the action taken. The may CT then broke the tie by voting to re- scind, thus showing his personal stand in a matter about which he evidently changed his mind later in the evening. At this point Alderman Griffin said that it was the rule of the Council for all members present to vote. Alder man Hartley was of the opinion that on the affirmative side of the question. The mayor insisted that every alder man should vote, but again mem bers declined to arise.
 Alderman Near explained that he was one of those who did not vote, and said that he did not feel convinced one way or the other as yet, but as alderman Mahoney. who is a team ster, felt that the enlarged centre would not interfere with traffic, he said that he supposed he might as well vote to reScind. At the next call for a vote the former action was re- scinded 12 to TO- Although Alderman Griffin had said that all the members should vote there were still two who had remained seated, but this side Of the matter was dropped.
 Alderman Gould then moved:
 That the N. Y-. N. H. & H. R. R. Co.,, be and it is hereby granted per- mission to place, locate and relo- cate it's tracks on Main street in the city of Bridgeport, in approximately the position now occupied by said tracks, but so that the said tracks shall from East Washington avenue south to the terminus at Seaside park be upon ten foot centers, so-called.' D
 The question was referred to the committee on streets and sidewalks and after a recess of ten minutes a re- port was returned favoring the adop- tion of Alderman Gould'S resolution.
 Four members of the committee signed it, Aldermen Hartley, Bertil- son, Fletcher and Tague, but Alder man Griffin refused either to sign or to present a minority report. He did ask for a "yea and nay" vote. After much debate the vote on the report resulted in a tie, the mayor was again forced to vote and this time he voted to reject the report, although he had previously voted to rescind the action taken at a former meeting concerning the same matter.
 In the debate Alderman Gould said that we could not expect increased traffic facilities unless we made some concession to the trolley company. AL. derman Mahoney said that if the com panx was granted this Qetittous