The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-12-06

Chairman Cornell will not ask nor press the prosecution of the man or
 men involved unless forced to by the Republicans, and will not disclose Ihe identity of the parties concerned ex- cept at the request of the proper authorities.
 spokesman for ,Ele Republican alder man was insistent today in his de- mands that the investigation be car ried through, and the Prosecuting Att torney be appraised of the full facts of the case.
 The entire city today is astounded l by the sensational charges made last night by Mir. Cornell following a mix up in the counting of the pallets in | the boards presid dential election. Speculation is rife as to the identity of the parties implicated in Ihe brfbe, but the deepest secrecy is being main- tsined by Chairman Cornell who pos- Etively refuses to make any d1sc1os- ureS.
 According to authentic information, which has been confirmed by Chair
 man Cornell, a Democratic alderman was approached yesterday by a Re publican politician with an offer to pay $500 for his presidential vote for the Republican nomineee. The Dem
 ocrat is said to have effected a delay,
 and arranged for a later meeting.
 During the interim he conferred
 with Chairman Cornell, who arranged
 the second meeting, and instructed
 the alderman to go through with the
 transaction and secure the evidence.
 When the second meeting took place
 eye-witnesses were secreted nearby;
 overheard the entire transaction and
 with essed the passing of the money.
 As the initial payment, a $50 bill,
 was given to the Democrat, and was
 to be followed by $250 more.
 As soon as the money was passed,
 the Republican was confronted,
 charged with having attempted to
 bribe an office holder, and in a com
 1-1l +a1 Iii
 The $50 bill that was used was con-
 fiscated by Chairman Cornell, togeth-
 CT with other evidence now in his
 possession.
 by MT. Cornell when, following a
 general mix-up Alderman David w
 Price was declared elected president
 of the board. Only 23 ballots had
 men Hfbbert. Republican, and Kelley,
 Democrat, of which number Price re ceived 12 and Alderman Alfred B. Veness, Dem ocrat, II.
 The result of the ballot was a. yer itab1e bombshe1l to the Democrats who previously had been assured Of the election of their candidate. Hardly had Mayor Atwater declared Price president sof the board, than Chair man Cornell stepped to the open space in front of the mayors ros- rum and asked permission to speak. At once, Alderman Caldwell was on his feet. with a motion that the may or appoint immediately a committee nf three to investigate the charges or Cornell. He strenuous1y objected to the Democratic move for a new bal lot but was curtly ruled out of or der by the mayor, who again named Aldermen Hilbert and Kelley as tell CTS.
 "Are you sure that new vote has been ordered ?' Alderman Brown de-
 handed. "I ask that a aye and nay vote be taken"
 The mayor compiled and Brown contested the result, but was ig- nored.
 Throughout the proceedings, the widest uproar and confusion reigned. The chamber was densely packed with friend sand relatives Of the new all dermen while an overflow filled the corridors.
 Alderman Hilbert took the floor and said that in all fairness to himself h. had as a teller, full right and power, to handle the hats and ballots, but l he missing ballot had been found in the hat that was used by the Demo l cratic teller.
 Chairman Cornell took the floor, re- | iterated his previous charges and 1 produced in the full view of all, the l $50 bill.
 It was several minutes before or 1 der finally prevailed, and the second | that 12 had been cast for each can didate Mayor Atwater used his ! perogative cast @ vote for Alderman n | Veness, and declared him Democratic l president of the council. ! Immediately, frenzied protestatfons were made by the Republican alder 1 men, Hibbert and John Y. Caldwell. Alderman Hilbert. especially, was
 particularly bit er in opposing MT. Cornelrs request, and raised a. point
 of order that permission must be | granted by the board and not by Mayor Atwater.
 1 Mayor Aawater overruled Hibbert.
 and, amid a. tumultuous uproar from l the closely packed throng that sur ] rounded the chamber on all sides,