Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-05-05
COUNCIL REFLECTS
PRESTON INSPECTOR
Democrat Aids Republicans,
Whose Ranks Were
Split.

CITY Council last night ro-clectcd
rnia 4. Preston building inspector FOR
a term of thrcc years. but his selection
wa. net accomplished until after five
haiint, had been taken and then the
Republican majority members OF the
Council had 10 have tho assistance OF
one ~ the Democratic members 10 give
Mr.. Preston majority. owing 20 a
sprt IN their own ranks, brought
about when two " the Republican
members refused 60 abide by the choice
~ the majority caucus. Following
rreston's election. efforts were made
o. elect an assistant building inspector
o. succeed William =. Anderson. the
incumbent but tho deadlock was con
tinuod ON this office. and "a there was
mo- Indication OF any or the Democratic
members swinging from that party's
candidate, the selection of an assist .
ant inspector was postponed in
definitely. Mr.. Anderson VIII there
fore remain IN the position he now
holds. His term expired last Decem-
her, hut he has continued 60 hold
office because of the Republican mem
hors Inability 20 elect a successor.
The split In tho Republican ranks
caused much surprised. but not as
much as when one ~ the Democratic
members swung from Thomas Ryan,
the Democratic candidate, 90 Preston
md savc him tho required majority
There wns emple evidence of some de
velopments over the choicc Of n build
ine inspector and assistant whom
prior Co tho hallotine. there were many
whispered conferences on the floor
snd IN committee rooms Council
man John q. Hopkins. who was one
cf the Republicans who refused &c
support Preston. 'madc n plea FOR har.
mony and unity and referred TO the
bad cfect tho evident discord would
havc on the party succa~s at tho elec.
uona next fan. but hts remarks haC
no effect on the majority who continu.
cd 10 vote solidly for their candidate
Councilman Taylor. Democrat, wa,
not nj the meeting. Councilman Nul
Ncna LETT the room just before tho bal
lu,lng for inspector started. This lef
three Democrats. Councilman McNabh
murray md Henry, present All IN,
Republican members were I'm IN,
room. Councilman Harry r. vincen
moved that thoy 10 into the .eleot,or
or a building inspector and immediate
" MT Hopkins was on his feet CD
'eetine, and he wanted 20 know n the,
could DO that when one OF the mem
hers. Mulvena, had been excused. lit
ohiecuons were swept aside and Mr.
Vincent nominated Mr.. Preston
councilman Henry nominated Thoma,
Ryan and Councilman Hopkins n,pi
mated Charles r.. Anderson. Mr.
Anderson is the father OF William :
Anderson. the present assistant build
ins Inspector and served as buudins
inspector some years age
The nrst ballot resulted: Preston
a. Ryan. o. Anderson, 2. As IL re
ouir~d . majority OF tho Council I,
elect scvsn votea President Wan,
declared the rceuit no election. Tn,
TWO votss given Andersen were gen
orally supposed 20 be those OF Mr.
Hopkins and Councilman Faulkner
second. third and fourth ballet wer
taken md the result stood the sam,
on tho NTH hallo, Preston got .cve,
votes. or the required majority an
President Ward declared him electes
Hysn got two votes and Anderso
Two. Councilman Evans and McNab
were the tellers and when Mr.. Nc
Nahe announced the winning vote 10
Preston and no realized ono of n,
own party members had Deserted the.
esndidsse. HIS face wore a look {
blank Amusement and there was el
pressions of surprise from all III
other members.
Councilman Murray Jumped 10 n
feet and Declared with emphasis ths
he has always believed that a ma
has tho right 20 vote the way n
wants 20. bu; he wanted IL under soc
That he had voted for the Democrat
candldate on every ballot Councilns