The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-08-09


The people OF Slaughter precinct are
without a Justice OF rEe pesre- 1t
might lie incidentally aided that
James Hart. the erstg bile incumbent,
i without the Office OF justice OF the
peace for Slaughter precinct 4 COM
binasioa OF circumstances have
brought about this result
James Hart WAS Democratic candi-
date for every position on the ticket
from school clerk down 10 representa-
tive a. the last general election, and
was elected justice OF the peace by the
voters OF Slaughter precinct, IN which
i.sss, session Of the board OF
sinet was divided. By this division
Christopher's addition. where Hart
resides, was set of in the newly
created precinct, which was named
Chrisiopher's-
The residents of Slaughter precinct
then notified Auditor Forrest that q
vacancy existed in the Office OF justice
of the peace in their precinct, and
asked him to call special election
The election wss duly authorized by
Auditor Forrest Hart, who did not
propose being legIslated cut OF his
Office, especially az il was very Iu-
crative one, became q candidate and
received majority over NJ. II. Con-
ners, the other candidate. He az
once demanded that q certificate OF
election he issued 70 him. But Con-
ners filed contest. claiming the GER
tiiicate himself, on the ground that
Hart was ineligible because he WAS n
nonresident.
Auditor Forrest refused to issue a
certificate TO either, holding that a
vacancy existed in Slaughter precinct,
and that Hart was in TACT justice OF
the peace for Christopher's precinct.
bat was Ineligible to hold the office in
Slaughter precinct, lie refused TO
give Corners certificate because he
did not receive majority. Finally
| he submitted the whole matter TO the
district attorneys office, and yester-
day received the following opinion,
which fully supports his previous
action:
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS oFFIcE.
SEATTLE. Wash, Aug. ;, 1850
u. X. Forrest, Coastg audatsx. Answer
| ing yoDr question as to who is legally jus
| tee Of the peace for Christoyhers and
Slaughter precincts, in King county,
1 would ssy:
! I am satisfied from the provisions of the
code and the general rule of law upon the
subject that James Hart was left q justice
| OF the peace by the division OF slaughter
| precinct, bat with power 10 set only for
Chris opnes's precinct, and he is still sHeh
! justice.
2. That Hart is ineligible to be justice
OF the peace for Slaughter p-ecinct. and.
| therefore bis having received q majority
of all the votes at the special election does
nos render him qualified 10 serve there,
and no one else who is eligible bayiox re-
ceiyed such majority, AN of the opinion
/ that there 10 std no justice Of the peace for
| slaughter precinct. W. D. FEyToN,
Assistant District Attorney.
This Is how Slaughter is out JUS
tice and Hart is out the ONCE he
wants. The worst OF it is tina. another
special election cannot be held, IS the
law provides that special elections
shall not be called within ninety days
Of any general election.
The people OF Slaughter viii have to
struggle along without J. Z. until
the general election in October, and
James Hart will have to be satisfied
with holding down the Office Of justice
IN Christopher's precinct, which is said
TO be anything but reinuneratiye.