Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-01-24
FGEORGErowN.l
Corre,pondenes of Tas Star.

Correspondence of TIE Star -
GRoReErowN, January "a, 1851.
Inc Board Of Aldermen, on Monday evening
49, passed resolution Of Inquiry, and one from
tne otner board authorizing the Mayor to accep,
the services Of volunteer patrol -. ,N>ef'
IN tne Board Of Common Council, Mr. Stake
pfessnsea certified copy Of the writ served on
s.I. aoalson, which was read, and Mr.. Stake was
Pfoceeolng 10 make motion, when - =
mt.t Fenney rose and asked, "w hen does tina,
paper say Mr.. Crawford was elected Mayor i
nave per desire to have read" - -,
MI; stake said before Mr. Tenneyh paper was
read he wished to make a motion for The appo;nt.
ment OF a committse Of two - --'F1 60.
MI. renney hoped the gentleman would extend
Inc same courtesy to him, he had himself received
This paper might have a bearing on the motion
IL was then read, being a written opinion OF the
Recorder that Mr.. Crawford being MAYO, nv
holding over, it was not necessary for him TO re
peat the oath. AK go -
Mr.. Stake said there might be no actual neces.
shy; He would not set up his Judgment against
the Recorders, but there had been one. two and
tnree swearings In Of the late Mayor-the peoples
and IL s. 81. IN friend SMr TeHneyl called him.
was elected by the people, and HIS right confirmed
oy the court, to install him In the presence of the
TWO boards 1t was mere form to give dignity
the advice of able counsel, had adnipIstered the
oath to Mr.. Addison once, twice and three times
Inc last time Mr.. A. was SO excited that he mir.
S.aael afeaded to see him clasp the Bible. Mr..
CraWford was dignifed, high-toned gentleman.
not nkeiy TO be excited. He mir. 81 had a HIGH
regard for Mr. Addison. He was an able man.
ana well fitted to be Mayor as any other; but,'
ss,J mi. sake MT Crawford has the same ca
paclty In my judgment " He then spoke of the
action OF the late boards when he was in minor
lily, and had to remain SILENT but said that by no
acs Oh MS, then and since, had he recognized Mr..
Addison az Mayor. He then argued that Mr. Adj
Olson not being legally Mayor, his acts Were not
legal; that tax payers had refused TO pay taxes
while he was acting; that Mr.. Crawford would
nave to legalize all Mr.. Addison's acts or the
Corporation would get into trouble; and that Mr.,
Crawford therefore ought to be recognized by
this Corporation as Mayor. Under the provisions
OF the Charter, according to good legal advice we
In In presence Of the two boards. A higher court
than this had decided in his favor, and we must
humbly submit
Mr.. Tenney Must humbly submit,
Mr.. Stake.-Yes sir, humbly.
Mr.. Tenney will submit NOT humbly but
because l can't help II.
MI. Stake continued at some length, saving he
would as readily contend for Mr. Addison ar for
Mr.. Crawford, il their positions were reversed
ana arguing that Mr.. Crawford should be sworn
In as matter Of courtesy not only, but of rig bit,
ana a. 70 H saye the. the cooperation trouble,
acting as Mayor for the last two DAYS
Mr. stake said he (Mr. Crawford) had been
careful to do no act to bind the corporation, until
he wa. recognized by the Boards.
MIR Tenney wanted to know IL Mr. Crawford
had been elected Mayor Of Georgetown since be
was sworn in In 1857, Ifso, where was the proof
OF IT! Not in that writ
Mr. stake said that was a lame subterfuge, and
went on to compliment Mr.. Tenney for his as
tuteness and readiness In debate; thanking him
Tor what be had learned him since he had been
mere, and then proceeded to argue the case again
at some length, Which,
MIR. Tenney rose and wanted to know what
was the regular order of business; Whistler we had
met Tor any special business; IL so, he did not
know IL. Petitions and memorials were first in
AIR Stake hoped the gentleman would not per-
slst he then moved suspension of the rules;
which was carried. s
Mr. Tenney now rose to speak, when some con-
fusion ensued-cries Of Question! question. order!
being heard; and Mr.. Tenney, in an angry voice,
contending for his right to the floor and to speak
Order being restored
Mr.. Pearson moved to ad iourn II we yye,e n
listen to long speech.
Mr. fenney having agreed to occupy no more
time than was allowed him by the rule said II
maze no difference whether we swear Mr.. Craw-
lord In, or not This was the Recorder opinion
which accorded with his own before he had con,
suited any one. Mr.. Crawford was mayor since
1877 and that paper from the court does not saw
ne was elected In 1859, nor did the decision Of a
democratic jury say so
Mr.. Stake.-Were they all democrats,
MI Tenney All, or so near it
Mr.. stake.-They were honest men, then.
MI. Tenney said the decision of the Jury was
that there was tie vote. The court had oyerruIed
the decision Of the people and the Representatives
Of the people Of Georgetown But we would
have TO submit, as we did to Acknowledgement of
our town BY Congress, without rebellion and
without revolution. But Il was some sill y bit con-
ISOLATION TO know that the days Of democracy were
numbered, and though not a member Of the party
coming into power, he hoped their first act would
be to reorganize the Circuit Court of the County
Of w ashington.
Mr.. Hill asked for information, whether our
acts here might not involve the Corporation in
paying two salaries! Mr. Crawford had heen
acting as Mayor two days. why swear him in
He was willing Mr.. Crawford should get his
salary, but not out Of the Corporation
MI. stake said 1t was question he had not
wished TO raise, and spoke Of Mr.. Addison's
securities being responsible.
Mr.. Dunlop said by the record Of the court Mr.
Addison was prohibited from acting as Mayor I!
we were now, therefore, in the same position al
at the beginning, when Mr.. Crawford presented
himself before the joint convention with the GER
tfcate Of the judges of election. 81 was willing
70 swear him In then" said he, ''but was over
ruled by majority OF the convention | am
willing nGY.n
after some irregular discussion by Mr. Hill and
Mr.. Tenney asked what election was Mr.. Craw.
FORD to be sworn In on; that Of 1857 or 1859
MIR. Stake said that Of 1859
Mr. Tenney wanted to know where was the
rrOof Of his election then.
Nh Dunlop said the certificate Of the Judges of
election that Mr.. Crawford brought with him
here before.
Mr.. English said that Mr. Hilrs position was
not Snooic, anu went on 10 argue that the COrpo-
fSaon was response BILE for Mr.. Crawford's salary
"a he was Mayor by holding over, and II Mr'
Crawford did not get indemnify when comInenc.
Ing this suit. we were bound to pay twice and
could not help ourselves
The vote was then taken on Mr. Stake,sm motion
and other proceedings had, stated In our letter
Of Tuesday r--I
After being sworn in f-.r
Mr.. Crawford said this was memorable occa.
sion. The current biennial term of the mayoralty
OF Georgetown expires in few weeks The
whole OF this period bad been occupied, to the
present time, In cOntesting the election in 1859 10
that Office; and as but few Of the members have
had an opportunity Of pursuing the controversy
through Its successive stages, In order that It's
merits might be more clearly understood, he in
vited their attention to a brief and temperate
review OF the case. He then read the obi cial
notice to him from William Laird Clerk of the
Corporation, dated March 2, 1859 that he was
returned In the official reports Of the Judges of
election In the several precincts received
majority Of votes over every other candidate for
the mayoralty, and as elected Mayor Of the town
and requesting his presence in the Council Cham
Der "for the purpose Of qualifying and stated
that In conseq uence Of such election and returns
aud notice, he presented himself at the appointed
time and place TO take the oath of office and
claimed that the same should be administered 10
him, but that the Boards, alleging that there
was mistake in the returns and that there