The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-25

HE ARGUS is badly mixed on the right
of the mayor to vote at meetings OF the
council, In one issue informing us that the
mayor of Peoria voted on his own appoint
ments, and in the next telling us that our
mayor can't vote on his appointments even
10 case of tie.-Jnioa.
Our neighbor seems incapable of distin-
gushing between the publication of a mere
news item, and the approval Of the act
stated in the news item. If it will be any
satisfaction to the water board organ The
ARGUS will say that it never has thought
and does not now think that the mayor has
the right to vote on the question of ap-
pointments. He has the right to appoint,
and to reappoint, and to continue to reap
point, but he has no vote on the question.
The law requires him to submit his list of
removals at each regular meeting,
with his reasons for removal, and un-
less two-thirds of all the aldermen accord
ing to Judge 'Pleasants) vote to disapprove
Of such removals, the persons so removed
are restored to Office. The mayor cannot
be counted $50 Judge Peasants decided in
making up the number. nor can he vote,
for the law says two-thirds of all the mem
bers land Judge Peasants says mem
bers" means ''aldermen'') shall be neces-
sary, by yeas and nays. to be entered on
the record, to disapprove of removal.
And so in case of appointments, the law
says tina; il shall require majority of all
the members, land Judge Peasants says
member" means aldermen by yeas and
nays, to be entered on the record, to con.
firm an appointment. The mayor can not
vote at all, or be counted at all. Unless,
by call of the yeas and nays, a majority
Of all the members. land Judge Peasants
decided that members means "alder
men vote to confirm an appointment,
then such appointment is net confirmed.
But, according to Judge Cochrane's deci
sion. in order for the mayor to keep his
appolntee in he must remove the incum-
bent who is holding offer, even if his time
has expired, and then reappoint his new
man as often as the council fails to approve
the appointment. The mayor is not re-
CURED to report on these matters except
at regular meetings, and therefore he would
not have to reappoint his man only II times
to keep him in Office during the whole year
The mayor don't need the help of the alder
men in order to carry out his parti
san scheme-the mayors law gives
him ample power; and since he has
shown no disposition to harmon.
ize the council by a fair division O.
the appointed officers, assigning to eact
party its fair share and leaving each party
to select its men, he can find DO fault if thu
! Democrats decline to aid him in carryin.
out his party scheme just let the Dem
ocrats stick together and act together, anC
not help him cut off the heads of thei
friends by indorsing his party scheme. LIE
him show disposition to drop party ant
all work together for the good of the cit!
and he will have no trouble. But if he i
bent on being Dictator" and carrying GU
the behests of Parks, Gest & Co, let hin
go ahead-but don't let any Democratic
alderman aid him in the scheme by votin!
to confirm his party slate. Let him fal
back on the mayors law and take the res
possibility of carrying it out without tn
help of single Democratic alderman.