The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-09-20
THE CITY ATTORNEYSHIP.

| Perhaps everybody III the CITY Is ac-
quainted with "the Cunningham election
case,n which dates back from the last NUM-
cipal election held on the 10Th day OF April,
this year. Everybody knows that Mr.. j.
r. Cunningham made the race for city at
torney in that election and received seven
hundred and ninety votes, or sixty four
more than were cast for Mr.. W. E. Hen
bricks, who was voted for in spite of his
declaration that he would not make the
race. Mr.. Cunningham was, Of course,
elected; but he was not licensed attorney
and could therefore not qualify for the Of
fee, which was 80 declared by the city
council at its meeting on the 22d of April,
in the following resolution:
'And, inasmuch as the said Justus r..
Cunningham, who received majority of
the votes cast for city attorney, is, under
the laws and ordinances and by virtue of
not being a licensed attorney, Ineligible to
hold or perform the duties Of said office, it
is hereby declared that no person was legal
ly elected city attorney at said election"
Mr.. Cunningham felt himself insulted ;
he was satisfied that the council had done
him wrong Many of his friends likewise
INDUCED in severe criticisms of the council,
saying that, under chapter IA, article Nv,
section 81, it was that body's duty to Eek
anime and canvass the same (the returns)
and declare the result of the election, ETC."
They further held that the city council had
the right only "of Judging of the election
and qualification of its own members"
under chapter "a, article III, second a..
Mr.. Cunningham of course shared this be-
lief and, being urged on by his friends,
went into the circuit court and commmcnc-
ed mandamus suit against the council
with the intention of compelling that body
to declare his election. But Mr.. Cunning
ham was defeated in this acton by the cor
poration counsel and since then TN
til now it was believed thac
he had succomed.
1t appears now, however, that, instead Of
having resigned himself to what appeared
to be his fate, he, together with several OF
his friends, has been indefatigible in his
effort to provide himself with the papers
which would compel recognition from the
courts and the council. He has now OBJ
| tanned these documents and has returned
to the attack with greater vigor and better
| weapons than ever. These documents con-
sist of certificate OF good moral character
signed by three worthy citizens; certi-
ficate of two years study in the law office
of the late states attorney of Pulaski coun-
ty, James Anderson, with affidavit of ]. r.
Cunningham attached certificate Of nine
months study in the law office of Judge j. II.
Mulkcy, and last but all important, Ii
cense ITO practice law in all the courts of
record in the state of Missouri" This docu-
ment was procured by Mr.. Cunningham
on the 18th instant, through the influence
of friends, from Judge j. d. Foster, judge
of the circuit court of the tenth judicial
circuit of Missouri, and reads as follows:
To whom 1t may concern:
Whereas, Justus II. Cunningham, after
having filed his application for license to
practice law with the clerk of the circuit
court Of Penniscot county, in the state of
Missouri, fifteen days before the first LAY of
September 1881 of said circuit court.
Whereas, At said term of said circuit
conrt, he produced to said court satisfactory
testimonials of good moral character and
underwent strict examination IN OPEN
court by judge of said court and regularly
licensed attorneys present, it was then and
there ordered by said circuit court that he
be licensed to practice law in all the courts
of record in the state of Missouri. A true
copy. j. ID. FOSTER,
Judge of the circuit court, 10th judicial
circuit Of Missouri.
Attest with the law of said
court, w. j, Hudson, clerk.
With the exception Of the seal of the
state, the above is faithful copy of the
document in Mr.. Cunningham's possession,
and to it is also attached the following
| oath:
STATE OF Mo-,
COUNTY OF PENNrsooT, '''
l, j. r. Cunningham, having been, by
the circuit court Of said county, licensed
as an attorney-at.law, do solemnly swear
that will support the constitution of the
United States and the constitution of tho
state of Missouri, and that will faithfully
demean myself in my practice to the best
of my knowledge and ability, so help me
God. j. Il. CUNNINGHAM.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this
18th day of September, A. D., 1881.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set
my hand as clerk, and affixed the seal of
SAID court at my Office in Gayoso, the day
and year aforesaid.
W. ]. HUDSON, Clerk.
There appears to be no doubt but that
Mr.. Cunningham can practice in the courts |