The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-05-05
THE MAYORALTY QUESTION.

GU tne Oln OIL Aprl was i'HiJ az" hohee''y
conducted no one pretends 10 doubt. And
that Colonel John Stone received a msjority
of the votes cast at that election every one
admits. After the election WAS held, the
votes we're officially csnvassed by the city
council and the certificate of election as mayor
was accorded to Colonel Stone. Before the
time arrived for him to be sworn into office
the question Of his eligibility to the office
arose and upon the assumption that no had
not been citizen of the city OF Dallas for
twelve months prior to his election. pro-
test in writing signed by some OF the citizens
of the city against his taking the seat Of ma
yor was filed with the city council. When
the time arrived for the mayor elect and the
new councilmen elect 10 be sworn ard take
their seats, this protest WAS read, aud that
action might be taken OIL it aud proper in
quiry DO made into tho matters Of
fact alleged, the swearing. in OF
tho mayor elect was deferred and
the whole affair referred to committee of
three, which committee was invested with
power 10 examine witnesses and hear evi-
dence as to The eligibility of Colonel Stone
to the position. Counsel appeared pro and
con in the case and after diligent investiga-
ton and the patient hearing of witnesses,
the committee reported to the council. The
question came up then upon Colonel Stones
taking the position, and it was decided by a
vote Of six 10 two against him. This ended
the matter SO far as the city council is con-
csrned and unless the courts of the country
decide that Colonel Stone is eligible, and
entitled to the office of mayor, why there is q
vacancy, and to I'll that vacancy if it exist.
the council has already ordered an election.
Whether Colonel Stone intends to appeal to
the courts or not, we cannot say. As to the
legal merits Of the case, II is not our province
TO express an opinion, and we have none to
give. As to the eligibility of Colonel Stone,
while we may have our views about it, 1t
would not be proper for us TO express them,
In view of the fact that the case may come
up in the courts for adjudication. We have
briefly stated the facs in the
case, and the causes that led
to the msyoralty complication
that people abroad may understand them
What opposition was expressed against
Colonel Stone during the municipal canvass
was to his being republican and being what
is called a liberal or skep!ic in bis religious
views, but his being a republican did not
prevent many democrats from voting for
him, and his being skeptc was not bar to
the votes of quite number of church
members, There are hundreds of voters in
Dallas, both democrats and republicans, who
are not influenced by political coasid-
erasions in municipal elections, tdeir
aim ard desire being to secure
the best men for the offices and their votes
being cast to that end. So it was neither
Col. Stones political procivities or want of
religious faith that caused objection t. be
raised to his taking the scat to which he was
elected by u majority Of the votes cast II,
the election in April. 1t being urged that he
had not been citizen of the city for twelve
months prior to his election as the city
charter required, it was suggested that if he
was installed into the office of mayor, tina,
his acts in that capacity would be illegal
and that the possibilities were that ii
might involve the city in serious litigation
in the future. Suppose" it was said, ",ha
when the tax bill TO raise revenue for tn,
current expenses of the city, and to meet it
other obligations, Is passed by the council ant
approved by Colonel Stone as mayor, IA,
payers refuse to pay on the ground that Col
onel Stone was ineligible to the position o
mayor, could they DO made to pay thei
taxes In the courts? Could their prosert,
be sold rs delinquent property? Even
the courts decide thut he is do facto tn
mayor Of Dallas, will not the testing of th
question put the city to great inconvenience,
delay in collecting the taxes and OK
pense in attending to the matter i
thu courts 2" These are tho question
that arose in the minds of citizens and thes
questions led to tho demand for an investigs
ton Of tho issues involved. Personally Co
Stone is esteemed and respected throughor
tho city, for he has proven himself worthy c
It. Asa business man no rank, high, Nh
these qualities, coupled with bis quick INTEL
gence, bis general Information, his appr
citation OF the wants and capabilities If th
city and his energy, were earn,sts to ths
majority Of voters who supported him,
well rs to many others who did not vote
all that he would make Dallas an eflicier
mayor, tho question of ineligibility q,
then having been raised. On the other han
Il Is urged by those who think that Colon
Stone should have been seated by the cou,
Gil, that the requirements of tho charter n
only technical; that practically Colon
Stone has been citizen of Dallas ever Sin,
no has been here, some years. albeit he liv,
just outside tho corporate limit, for lor
while. They argue that his business bell
in the heart Of the city, that the taxes he b
paid since he has been here having be,
; paid on his bushes, and his goods, to II
city, that no has virtual