Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-05-28
COLUMBUS, May "a, 1868.
Editors Ohio Statesman:

1UttOTS OHtO OtuteSWuR.
GENTLEMEN IL read in the STArEsMAN
OF this morning communication from j
OBJ: Renick in relation to what YOU term
commissioner Muddle," which I would
not notice through the papers If it did not
contain what is not true. Mr.. Renick saws
"Judge Pugh did not feel authorized by
law to accept his bond, and decided in his
opinion the office was vacant, but was will
ing to submit the matter amicably to the
Supreme Court. This Mr.. Edwards re-
fused to do, as he had the right to do.''
What Judge Pugh was '.willing" to do is a
matter of no consequence to me, and NAV
be true; but that l refused to submit the
matter to the Supreme Court, is untrue.
OF course Mr.. Renick only makes this
statement from Information, as he
will not say that l ever SO re-
fused to him. L have no matter or
question to submit to the court. | was
legally elected Commissioner of Franklin
county for three years, and commissioned
and sworn into office. and 1 can find no
law authorizing any one man or set of men,
to declare the office vacant, and if there is
no vacancy caused by death, resignation,
removal, or any cause other than the expir-
alton of the term for which Cd was elected -
or absence from the county six months
in succession " then there is no one author
lied to make an appointment, and I shall
flee to which was elected by the people
of Franklin country to the best of my
ability, and if Mr.. Renick or any other
man desires to obtain the Office to which
was elected by the people, they can in
stitute such proceedings, and before such
court, as they may see proper, and if the
proper authority declares that 1 have for
feited my commission, and that Mr.. Rem
ick is the legal Commissioner, then 1 will
vacate the position to which the people
elected me, not otherwise.
The statute provides that vacancy NAV
occur by resignation or death, or if the
Commissioner shall be absent from the
county for six months, which shall be
deemed and held to be resignation, or if
any Commissioner shall be guilty of any
misconduct in office, he shall, on conviction
thereof, by indictment before the Court of
Common Pleas OF the proper county, be
Immediately removed from office and fined
not by Probate Pugh, auditor RIle, or Recor-
der Co,e, but by the Court, and fined not
exceeding four hundred dollars and costs.
When vacancy occurs as above stated,
then Probate Pugh, Auditor Kile or King
and Recorder Cole may make an appoint
ment, providing the interests of the county
shall require such vacancy to be filed be-
fore the next annual election, not other
wise. t@- d
From the card of Mr.. Renick it would
seem that there were certain conditions
upon which he agreed to accept the office.
and was to vacate, to which was made
q party, but of which was not advised.
The conditions are as follows: Mr.. Rem
lex accepted on the conditions, that as soon
as the Democratic County Convention
nominated to fill the vacancy. am to re
sign. and they are to appoint the nominee in
my (Mr. Renick's) place, and in no event
is my name to be used as candidate foI
County Commissioner" My friend is yer,
unkind to agree to such conditions a.
would deprive the people of the county OF
the privilege of conferring the appoint
ment of the gentlemen officers who appear
to be so anxious to get rid of an officer
elected by the people 1 hope he will re.
consider this. But again Mr.. Renick says,
$50 the matter is now left to the Democra-
cy, and if Mr.. Edwards receives the nom-
ination, he will receive the appointment y
when a vacancy shall occur in the Board oil
Commissioners, or when the Auditor, OR his
clerk, and Probate Judge shall determine
that there is, or ought to be a vacancy, they
shall appoint such man to fill the vacancy
as a convention of Democrats or Republi-
cans Gas the case may be) may determine
subject to the approval of the man who
may be appointed "ad interim" With this
amendment, all would be right
VfuCh NY VI OnlCCs W bue
people elected, expires, or when l forfeit
that office, and it is so declared by the law
fal authorities, if 1 desire it again, 1 will
submit to the people, who elected me, an6
not to any parties unauthorized to declare
| offices vacant, but who act from malice OF
selfish motives.
In conclusion, 1 will say that have the
commission of the people. l have filed INV
bond, fixed at the very modest sum of 500.
600 by the Probate Judge, and which is adj.
mitted by him to be perfectly good pecun.
| iarily, and upon which and my sureties
are fully liable, and Mr.. Renick has the
commission of Probate Pugh, Auditor KilC
and Recorder Cole, with, of course, good
sureties. Now, am perfectly content thai
they shall proceed to try the validity of oul
titles to the office, and will gracefully sub.
nit to the decision OF the legal tribunal;
authorized to determine such questions.
Very respectfully,
! JOHN G. EDWARDS.