New-York tribune., 1918-06-01
Mount Vernon Aldermen
Refuse to Rescind Ordi-
nance Against Papers
Only Two Votes Cast
For the Resolution
Secor Introduces Measure; !;
Influenced by Pro-Huns, "
Says Caygill

MOUNT VERNON, N. Y, May 81
This city stands fast by the guns which
it trained on William Randolph Hearst
when "The New York American" pub
lished President Wilson's Memorial
Day proclamation in mutilated form.
The Common Council refused tonight
to rescind the ordinance prob biting
the sale and circulation of "The New
York American" and "The Evening
journal and papers printed in the Ger
man language. resolution providing
for the resembling of the ordinance was
thrown out by an to vote.
The original ordinance was adopted
on May IA by vote of seven to three.
Since then, therefore, the anti-Hearst
forces have gained one aldermanic
vote. When the speeches of aldermen
defending the original ordinance had
been completed and the applause and
cheers of citizens who occupied seats
in the council chamber had quieted,
the clerk called the roll.
The only men who voted in favor of
the resembling measure were Alder
man r. j. Secor, who introduced it,
and Alderman Fred Wood, both of
which contains Mount Vernol's Ger
man colony. Alderman Sherman
Haight, who voted against the original
antiHearst ordinance, added his vote
to those who opposed the resembling
resolution.
Awaits Decision of Court
81 felt the original ordinance should
have been tabled said Alderman
Haight; that is why l voted
against it; but the council now has
adopted the measure, and l feel it is
op1 rioht hot cbo,1lI 70 Eo
no further action until we get de-
cision from the Supreme Court on the
legality of the measure. vote mo-
on the resembling resolution"
Mayor Brush, who had been absent
during the early part of the meeting
when routine business was being trans
acted, returned in time to take the
When he called for resolutions
Alderman Secor arose and attempted
an explanation of why he was going
to introduce his measure.
"Read it first admonished the
Mayor, then We'll know what you're
talking about"
Mr.. Secor, however, continued his ex-
planation. and Alderman Everett A.
Sheridan called from the floor:
"Chohe that off! Read the resolu
tion!"
Alderman Secor read, while the crowd
outside the railing shifted restlessly.
Text of the Resolution
1t follows:
Whereas, on the fourteenth day of
May, 1918, this Common Council did
adopt an ordinance which, in substance,
among other things, prohibited the sale
newspapers known as The New York
American and The New York Even
ing Journal and,
"Whereas, question has arisen as to
the validity of said ordinance; there
fore be it
Resolved, That said ordinance be
and the same hereby is in all respects
annulled, rescinded and made void"
Il appreciate the loyalty and senti-
ment of the men who voted for the
original ordinance" continued Alder
man Secors "But it is the taxpayers l
am thinking of.
"If the court refuses to grant per-
! fully believe the publishers of the
barred papers can come here and collect
every cent of loss we have caused
them. The taxpayers will suffer
want to avoid that This is my only
purpose.
"if the Hearst papers were disloyal
the Federal government would act
against them. Why should we condemn
them without a hearing? You would
not do that to spy. We ought to give
them chance to come up here and de-
fend themselves"
Calls Action Peculiar
81 want to ask Alderman Secor how.
when and where that resolution was
drafted" challenged Alderman William
u. Dawson His action is a peculiar
one. Who inspired it?
"We have shown where we stand bv
passing the original measure and we
stand by our guns. ask how he came
to offer this resolution and who sup
gested it,
1T is the result of my own thought
and conviction" replied Mr.. Secor. "I
drew 1T up myself. There was no in
spiration."
We all know the whisperings. the
threats. the letters, the talk here since
measure that put Mount Vernon on
the map said Alderman Caygill.
Alderman Secor has fallen a victim
to the whisperings of the pro- Huns
among us. l don't say Germans for
sae great majority of them here are
loyal. say pro-Huns.
We all have felt the pressure and
he has succumbed. But he'll find Nn,, W.
doesn't even represent his own ward
Ihe people there will repudiate his
action tonight. which is an insult to
every member of this board.
Measure Passed in Good Faith
I'VE passed the anti-Hearst measure
IN good faith. We had good cause to.
AND we are now awaiting the action of
the court. This resembling resolution
is an outrage Nothing like it has ever
happened here. Every man who votes
for this resolution votes against the
city he has taken an oath to protect"
There were cheers when the clerk an
nounced the result of the vote.
A resolution calling on the Commits
sioner of Public Works to supply the
Board OF Aldermen with list Of the
streets in Mount Vernon bearing Ger
man names was also passed. The
streets, according to the resolution, are
TO be renamed for Mount Vernon =
heroes in the war.
Stirling, N. j., Joins Move