Evening journal., 1910-05-20
DEMOCRATS In
A MERRY ROW
Leadership Of James Kane in
Council and Other DOineS
Stir Up Things
TALK OF INDEPENDENT
LEGISLATIVE TICKET

Although they have had control Of the
city administration less than one year,
the Democrats are now having a merry
row among themselves which threatens to
have a disconcerting effect ipon the next
campaign and may disrupt the strongest
Democratic district in the state-the Fifth
o. Wilmington. 1t is all because of the
way things have been run in City Council,
where Councilmen Kane and McGovern
have been contending for leadership, with
Kane generally having his way.
The troubles have been mostly under the
surface until recently. but there had been
a few mutterings. A question Of leader
ship in Council among the Democrats
seems to be involved, TOO, as was eviden-
ced in March when Councilman James
Kane Of the Fourth ward and Council
man John J. AlcGovern Of the Eleventh
ward said a few tart things in a belliger-
e. way to each other over the actions Of
City Auditor Kurtz. The city auditor has
been keenly ION tho Job" scrutinizng
some bills for improvements made by
Democratic contractors to the city tax
ofnce and other work to please some Of
the Democrats, but Mr.. Kurtz has a
faculty Of digging into the law pertain
ing 20 his office.
But the real trouble came to the front
as the caucuses we're called to nominate
a building inspector. and it FIRST led TO a
brush between Councilman Kane. who has
taken the reins of Councilmanic leader
ship in his own hands. and Benjamin b
Allen who is claiming the CouncilmaniC
seat from the Second ward and who be-
cause he was permitted to sit in a caucus
several months ago also desired that priv
liege when the caucus for building in
spector was called. Kane told Allen some
things about trying to disrupt the party.
and, anyway. Allen didn't SIT in the eau
Gus. 1t was thought Allen wouldn't vote
the way Kane was voting.
The caucus for building inspector now
is history John J. Cassidy was nominated
after a hundred ballots or so had beer
taken. and after a deal had been entered
into whereby Cassidy got the necessary
vote and Edward J. Johnston was re
elected as an assistant city engineer. L
put Johnston in an embarrassing situation
for it was not unexpected that he woul'
not he confirmed by the Street and Sewe
Directors after he had resigned from thu
engineering position.
Electrical Inspector Job.
There is another part Of the deal yet e
be consummated it now is said-that O
the creation Of the office of electrical in
spector for Wilmington. II is said that
brother Of Councilman Edward Higgin
Of the Third ward, who was a Cassid'
supporter. is slated for electrical inspector
Report has it, however, that the Demo
cratic Councilmen are a little wary abou
creating the office this fiscal year Will
they are facing big deficit in the finance
of the city.
Some interesting developments ais
would not be surprising about the manne
in which the improvements TO the CIT
tax of6ce we're done. TO get around IN
stinulation that work costing more tina
iaftv dollars shall be awarded after CON
netltive bidding, and which has resulte
in the splitting UP of some bills Tor Wof
so they have been presented for paymer
in amounts less than $50 on each bill.
on ton Of the Councllmanic troubles
which are far-reaching, the resignation {
1A,is Huersohn from the Board Of liealt
because he believed the Democrats an
Atavor Spruance were not keeping fat
with him by giving him patronage ais
has caused agitation among the Demo
Gratis. Mr.. Hiuersohn has much inhuene
among the Democratic Hebrews. ano u
marty leaders are anxious TO see his att
tude in the next campaign
Faht Into Campaign.
The fight cropping out Of tho Dem'
cratic leadership in Council will be ca
ried into the First Representative di
trict in the November campaign to try
unhorse.. Councilman Kane. it was sa
to-day. And threats are made Of an ind
pendent Democratic Legislative ticket f
the Fifth Representative district compri
ing the Tenth Eleventh and Twelf'
wards. and the banner Democratic di
trict Of Delaware.
Peter j. Ford was advocated for Il
Legislature in this district, but II was sa
to-day that he will not be candidate b
that Thomas f. Gormley. deputy in Ci
TAX Collector Eugene M. Sayers' offic
and a well-known young Democrat W
be the legislative candidate Of the Dem
cratic organization and the Ford me
A movement already is under way for 1