The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-03-24

week las been the controversy existing
between Mr.. George W. White and the
Town Council Of the town Of Johnston
which has eliminated in a suit brought
10y him against the town to receive for
money spent while Overseer of the Poor
and for services ~ such overseer So far
As Wa are informed the council voted
To- pay Mr.. White for all money spent
and the salary due him MS overseer up Ia
the time Of the appointment Of Walsh.
Since which time Walsh has had the sole
charge and management Of the farm, and
how White can expect 10 recover a salary
performed. Is difficult for the common
mind to understand. IL there are any
merits even in the case presented 10y Mr..
White. il is difficult for those who know
him TO understand why he pursues this
controversy. The council have rendered
him all that he could have received up
to the time of walsh's appointment had
this controversy not existed, and even
IL VIII te had contracted any liability in
the interest Of the town subsequent To-
walshs appointment, the town would
undoubtly. upon proper application have
arranged the matter in such manner as
would have compensated him for any
loss he might have sustained in the
matter. In this light we can see no pc
cuniary advantage White IL to gain in this
controversy, Then what is it1 Every
one who knows White knows him to be
man burdened with business. an enter
prising and successful farmer. il would
seem that his whole time must be neces-
sarily devoted to the management ~ that
business alone; hut aside from that there
is no man who has taken greater in
terest In town affairs than he. There
has probably boen no session Of the
council held for many years but tina, he
has been in attendance To look after the
towns welfare aud TO prevent the council
from making just such mistakes NJ he
claims was made in the appointment Of
fact that the town has furnished no man
who in 30 well read and understands
probate law and the management of 80
tates Of deceased pcrsons as he. His
ability in this respect is recognized every
where. to such an extent. that the citizen
now looks forward 10 the fact that upon
his decease the settlement and distribu-
tion Of his estate M matter of course
will be administered upon by him.
Moreover IL In well known that for many
years there has scarcely been "A COM
mittee appointed by the council for the
layout and relay Of highways and inves-
LEGATIONS Of any character in which he
has not taken n prominent part az II
member of the committee. II IL 10 him,
perhaps more than 10 any other man,that
the people are now indebted for the many
beautiful roads which the town possesses,
II was his cnegy that led To the construc-
tion Of the new bridge near the Morgan
Mill, which now adds NO much 10 the
attractions Of that part Of the town. and
to which the people all point with pride.
Undoubtedly much Of Mr. whites time,
energy and ability has been devoted Ia
the welfare Of the Gown and for the benefit
IL the citizens at great sacrifice 10
himself, and possibly he may feel that lac
is not receiving that recognition and
remuneration which his great service To
the community enti,le him 10 receive.
himself Of the responsibility Of rendering
80 much service 90 the town and 10 his
fellow citizens generally, and has taken
this method to bring about that end n
this be his purpose we think be has
Nevertheless made n mistake In the means
employed. Ia our opinion II would have
reeA.d Co the council the desire 10 be
relieved 81 some of the duties imposed
upon him. which the council would, no
doubt, most willingly have consented to
do. The two prominent points in which
White thinks himself aggrieycd are first.
that the council, though elected by the
people. bad not been properly engaged,
consequently their acts were void, and
second, that the Overseer Of the Poor had
not been elected at the first meeting Of
the council after election. AS 90 the first
point IL is well settled that the qualiiica-
tions Of court cannot be inquired into
In such n manner. AZ 20 the second
point in town as in other corporations
there sre two classes Of meetings, one
general and the other special. The
council by by law has fixed the genera
meeting Of the board for the second
Saturday In each month. A special
meeting can be held only upon special
notice served upon each member Of the
council 10 assemble at time specified to
act upon matters set out in the notice
given. n IN evident that this was not a
special session. neither was IL the general
,uee ing Of the council. The record
shows that the council took recess for
two weeks until an absent councilman
returned. No one would question that
II the council being in session voting on
n anestion nj two o'clock and before the
vo,. had been taken one II the board
had been called out intending 10 return
at three. The vote taken IN his abscnce