Telegram Herald

Quarrel About Election Laws

As the meeting of the Common Council last night all the Aldermen were on hand except the Mayor. It was decided to take up a thing but important business. Bills to the amount of $1,123 were allowed.

The assessment roll for the improvements at Fourth St. was presented and accepted, also the roll for the improvement of Quarry St. also for Jefferson St.

An appeal from John D. Papp and others from the assessment roll for the construction of a sewer in the alley between Concord Ave. and Hanover was read. The roll was laid on the table for one week.

ae committee on Buildings reported in favor of permitting the judge of the Police Court to occupy the rooms lately vacated by the Police and Fire Commissioners and the Marshal. Directed to notify the detective force to vacate the rooms occupied by them. Adopted.

Alderman Davidson presented the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Superintendent of Police be requested to station one patrolman at each polling precinct Nov. 4th at the general election held in this city.
Carried.

The Aldermen then spent some time in questioning the City Attorney to regard to the election laws and in the disposition of the ballot boxes.

The question was asked when the returns must be made. The Attorney said that they must be made before adjourning.
Alderman DeGiraaf said that he did not propose to begin work at 8 o'clock and eat cold lunch for dinner and work all Tuesday night. He did not propose to make out his return blanks until Wednesday whether it was legal or not. It had always been the custom to make out and return these blanks the day following the election. There seemed to be a diversity of opinion to regard to the matter and Chairman Shanahan requested the Aldermen to conform strictly to the law and return the ballot boxes as soon as the votes were counted. The city has had some experience in this matter, and it was not very pleasant. At the close of the chairman's remarks several voices shouted a motion to adjourn, which was nearly drowned out by the frantic efforts of others to get the floor. After jangling some time longer the motion to adjourn prevailed, but no understanding was come to in regard to the points in dispute, and they were discussed by the members as they gathered in groups after adjournment.