Evening journal., 1915-07-02
confirm Mr.. PIERCE
DESPITE A PROTEST
Councilmen McGoldrick and
Kaue Question Democracy
of New Assessor
HINT THAT QUESTION
MAY GO INTO COURTS


by the new City Council at its initial
meeting last night His protest was
on the ground. as stated by MIR. Nc
Coldrick that MT Peirce is a Repub-
lican and not a Democrat, which, he
claimed, would make the new board
consist Of two Republicans instead
OF two members of opposite political
faiths. as required in the legislative
act creating the board His protest
was as follows
Gentlemen: Il hereby respectfully
protest against the confirmation Of
the appointment of J. Bail PIERCE as
member OF the Board OF assessors, as
said appointment is not made in ac-
cordance with the provisions OF the
act OF General Assembly which
authorizes the appointment OF a Board
Of Assessors, and which specifically
provides that the two assessors so APP
pointed shall not be of the same politi-
cal party.
1T is conceded by all that Colonel
W. r. Slower Is a Republican, and as
such. ] am willing 10 vote to confirm
HE appointment. as / believe he is
fully qualified and In every manner
fitted for the office.
y. Bail Peirce, the other assessor
named. is recognized as Republican.
am informed that his name even appears
upon the block books Of the Republican
and Democratic parties as Republican.
personally have reasons to believe that
he does not vote the Democratic ticket,
and ! caution the Council against plao-
ing in jeopardy the whole city assess
ment, by confirming the appointment Of
two Republicans as assessors in direct
violation of the law. and thus giving an
opportunity 10 any person or corpora
tion that sees fit TO do 30 10 attack the
legality of an assessment made by as
SCISSORS illegally appointed.
~ trust that this Council will not
begin IT, career by hastily acting upon
this appointment, and thus making it,
self party 10 this violation, but that
action on said appointment win be held
up for week or until the question as
10 the eligibility of J. Bail PIERCE can be
fully and honestly ascertained."
The certificates were found TO be
correct and the members we're then
sworn in by Judge Churohman. who
later was given a rising vote of thanks
for his services.
Councilmen Draper Hopkins. Will
liams, Kane and MoDermott were ap-
pointed 20 draft rules for the new
Council, and after a recess their re-
port was accepted The rules are the
Same as those under which the retir-
ing Council had worked except that
a new committee is added. a commit
fee on health President Downward
then read the standing committees,
which are the same as announced by
him sometime ago
City Treasurer Hiehheld presented
his first report in the shape of a num-
bcr Of coupons from bonds which are
10 be destroyed They we're referred
70 the finance committee with power
10 act
Mr.. McGoldrick said ne would have
70 object most seriously 10 Mr.
Peirce's selection that u was a ques-
fion Of placing the whole assessment
IN jeopardy. He said there waf only
one way 10 tell whether Mr. fPeirce
was Democrat and that was by his
vote, and he did not believe that he
voted the Democratic ticket He de-
clared that some corporation or some
one else that was able might attack
the legality Of the assessment because
Of the composition Of the board He
asked Council not 10 act hastily in
the matter and moved 10 amend a
motion 10 confirm Mr.. Peirce's ap-
pointment by moving 10 hold up the
appointment for a week
Councilman Kane. Democrat. sec
onded his motion. Mr.. Kane said that
Il was a well known fact that MI
Peirce was not a Democrat and that
AT rr.~ar 4 -.
effect during the last two or three
days and had been asked BY many "a
protest against his selection He De.
cIared that II Mr. Peirce's appoint.
ment was confirmed action would b
taken in the courts 70 prevent hin
assuming the ONCE
A vote was then taken on the
amendment 70 hold up the appoint.
ment for a week and Il was lost b.
a strict party vote The motion Il
confirm the appointment was Their
carried also by the party vote Of
70 T. Councilman Williams. Republi.
can. did not vote
President Downward declared Mr
Peirce's appointment confirmed Mr.
Kane wanted 10 know whether a two
thirds vote was not required. Presi-
dent Downward said the city charter
specified a majority vote 70 confirm
Show me in the charter" Mr.
Kane demanded The charter was
gotten by Clerk Dillon and the sec
ton was read. whereupon Mr. Kane
said he only wanted to see II they
coald find II.
Mayor Prices other appointments
we're unanimously confirmed as fol
lows; Daniel o. Hastings, city solicit
TOT; William p. White. city auditor
William G. Coke. member Of the wa.
Ter Board; Ralph Saltzman. Mavor',
private secretary. Weller e. Stovar
republican member OF the Board q
Assessment
Council Organizes.
big crowd Of spectators was nres
ent 70 see the new Councilmen svor,
In William p. White. the retirin
president, who is now city auditor
was present and sat with Presider
Henry c. Downward during m
business of the evening. The ne
Council was called TO order by Cler
Dillon. who read the certificate
election of Henry c. Downward Z
president Of Council. Mr.. Downwai
was then sworn in by judge Churcl
man. Mr.. Dillon next read the ce
tiicate Of the board of canvas
Councilmen Grantland, Heal and Nj
Goldrick we're named a committee O
credentials.
The couccil allowed the Board
T1ucatinn 500 22Q fhc 6r.t ,,.o,tL