The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-04-09
Kansas City Man Illegally Put Into Position Of Superintendent Of Poor, And Clerk Dennis E. 0'Nei|| Illegally 0usted --0'Nei|I Will Contest Action
 And Will Retain -
 Office

In clear violation of both letter and spirit of the revised charter of the city of Bridgeport, and by means of a political trick which it's authors considered sharp, but which legal au- thorities declare will hold no more water than dilapidated sieve, Mayor c. B. Wilson aided by his two ap- pointees to the board of Charities yes terday declared Fred R. Johnson of Kansas City elected superintendent of outside poor. and Thomas F. Cox of this city elected combined pharmacist and clerk. in place of Clerk Dennis E. O'Neill
 The so-called elections were made in a manner that deprived two of the thew Judge and Judge Patrick Kane of an opportunity of making nomina- tions. establishing a precedent, which. if upheld, would upset the recognized parliamentary procedure of the world.
 The so-called election" of Johnson was brought about by a motion by Commissioner Behrens to declare him excluded all other nominations and deprived Commissioners Kane and Judge of the opportunity of naming anyone for the place. The vote was by voice, instead of by ballot. and the whole procedure throughout reeked with illegality.
 The charter of the city of Bridge tions or appointments to any office or position within the gift of the Com mon Council or of any board shall he by ballot having thereon the name of the person voted for and the person receiving plurality of ballots, with the limitations herein provided. shall be elected" No ballots were cast Tn ciare6 elected and the charter was clearly violated. t-
 In the, vote for Cox. two ballots were cast for him and two, were blank. Mayor Wilson counted the blank ball. lots as a tie and declared Cox elect ed. Clerk Dennis E. O'Neill. the pres ent Incumbent of the office, will con there was no tie and the mayor had no right to vote. Attorney Thomas M. Cullinan will represent him.
 Judge Kane protested against the illegality of the whole proceeding. His protests were noted on the records and then the Republican members of the board with the aid of Mayor Will son proceeded to another illegal step. Commissioner Richardson moved that the salary of Johnson be $2,000 a year. There were two affirmative votes, and one negative, Judge Kane not voting. Mayor Wilson declared that Judge Kane voted in the affirma- tive, despite Section 16 of the charter of Bridgeport. which declares that all business of the charities board shall be conducted by the active concurrent vote of three members. As Judge Kane did not vote. his action could by no stretch of the imagination be construed as the "active concurrent vote'' called for by the charter, yet Mayor Wilson so ruled it.
 With these three glaring illegalities as the main feature of its special meeting yesterday afternoon, the Charities board proceeded to elect it's entire staff of officers and employees. with the exceptions thus noted. the morning, the entire slate was agreed upon with the exception of superintendent of outside poor, phar- macist and clerk.
 Dr. Hermann Schulz and pr. B. F. McGovern are retained as ambulance surgeons, but cease to hold the re- spective positions of physician for the view Home. Dr. H. R. Bennett re- mains relief ambulance surgeon.
 Dr. Andrew McQueeney was given the Lakeview Home work, and Drs. D. B. Wason, c. J. Leverty and Ar thur scrimageour were appointed physicians of the outside poor
 Dr. J. w. Parker was appointed night ambulance surgeon. Drs. Par ker and Scrimageour are new ap- pointees, all the other physicians and surgeons having been some time in the service of the board.
 Other positions remain as follows:
 Investigator, A. F. Morrissey. Merle c. Cowles.
 Matron of Lakeview Home, Mrs. M. c. Cowles.
 Steward of Lakeview Home, c. E. Miller.
 Nurse at Lakeview Home. Bessie Lavin.
 Driver of Transfer Ambulance, Da-
 Emergency Hospital Matron, Mrs. David Jack.
 Driver of Auto Ambulance, Aubrey Burlison
 Eye Specialist, Dr. D. c. DeWolfe.
 Yesterdays meeting was called to ballot had been prepared, containing all the names. Upon motion of Judge Kane this ballot was unanimously adopted with the exception of the of- fees of superintendent of outside poor and charities clerk, Commissioners Kane and Judge taking exception to the nominations on the ballot for these offices.
 Rev. J. M Richardson then nominat- ed Fred R. Johnson of Kansas City for superintendent of outside poor. Rev. Father Judge nominated Thomas Hallen, and Judge Kane nominated Thomas F. Reilly, recently assistant tax collector.
 A ballot was ordered and resulted In Johnson 2, Hallen 1, and Reilly1.
 After some discussion 8 second bal lot was taken and resulted in the same way. It was then that Wilson, Behrens and Richardson decided to slip over trick to get their man into office.
 ''I move that we appoint Mr. John son as superintendent" said Commis- sioner Behrens, ignoring the charter provision which declares that all of- ficers shall be elected BY BALLOT.
 Rev. Richardson seconded the motion and it was put in that form despite the protests of the other two commissioners as to the rank illegaI-