The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-10

audience
The houses met in separate session, the board
OF aldermen, under the presidency of Mr..
Amasa Miller, at once calling upon Clerk Miller
20 read concurrent resolution which had been
laid on the table by the corporation counsel, as
follows:
WHEREAS, The Hon. Harry White, mayor of
tne city OF seattle, did, on the 30th day of No
vemoer, A. d. 1891, address the following COM
nionleaIion 10 the city council o. Seattle;
MAYORS OFFICE
SEATTLE. Wash, Nov. so. 1891
10 the Board of Aldermen and House OF
Delegates of the City of Seattle-Gestlemen: My
meath having been failing me for the past Jew
months, have concluded that in justice 10 my
sell could no longer perform the duties OF
mayor. therefore have decided to tender you
my resignation. to take effect at once.
AND, WHEREAS, The said Hon. Harry White
0id not call ans joint session of the city council
OF the city of seattle; and.
WHEREAS, No motion was made and passed IN
either house of the city council authorizing or
calling joint convention; and,
WHEREAS, No resolution, joint or concurrent,
was passed by the board of aldermen or the
mouse OF delegates, or either of tnem authoriz-
ing or calling q joint convention OF the city
council aud no petition signed by three or more
members OF the board OF aldermen, a>klng for
joint convention of the city council, and no
unanimous assent OF all the members OF either
branch of the city council was ever given for
any Joint convention 10 be held on the 30th day
OF November, A. u. 1891; and,
WHEREAS, There is no joint rule or standing
order OF the city council and no charter pro-
Vision authorizing Joint convention OF the city
council 10 act on any rendered resignation OF
the mayor, but such rendered resignation must
be received, acted upon, accepted and q vacancy
declared by the board OF aldermen and the
house OF delegates before joint convention
can be called TO fill such vacancy; and,
WHEREAS, such attempted Joint session OF the
city council, attempted to be held at such last
mentioned date, was not legally summoned,
anu all OF its proceedings are therefore void and
without authority of law; and,
WHEREAS, The said communication of the
Hon Harry White, mayor of the city of Seattle,
has not been acted upon and it is necessary for
the city council. to act on the same in legal
ana formal manner, and il accepted to declare
vacancy and to call joint convention TO elect
his successor, that the rights of the city and
all concerned may be preserved: therefore,
be it
Resoired, BY the board OF aldermen, the house
OF delegates eoneurring, first that the said ten
Ger OF resignation be, and the same hereby is ac-
cepted, and that vacancy in the Office of mayor
OF the city of seattle, be and the same is hereby
declared to exis.; therefore, be it
Resotred, Secondly-By the hoard of aldermen
OF the city council of the city of Seattle, the
house of delegates of said city council concur
ring, that there be joint convention or session
OF the city council to be held at the ASSEMBLY,
chamber OF the house OF delegates on the even
ing of Wednesday, the ninth 9th day OF De-
cember, A. d. 1891. at seven Cd O'Clock p. M, to
elect mayor for the unexpired term
1t was adopted without discussion, Mr..
Sweeney merely voting against it.
The resolution calling for a special election,
introduced by Alderman Sweeney at the pre-
vious meeting, was put on final passage under
suspension of the rules.
Mr.. Sweeney explained that the resolution was
introduced in order to comply with the mandate
of the charter providing for special election in
such cases. The resolution was lost, Sweeney
alone voting aye.
recess was then taken, pending the
action of the house of delegates On the concur
rent resolution. After few minutes q commu-
nication was brought in from the house OF dele
gates announcing the passage of the resolution.
Sweeney objected to the reading of the resolu-
ton, declaring that the former meeting was legal
land that the chairman had no right to call a
~ Joint session for the election of mayor, as the
matter was in the hands of the people.
Wilcox tried to make speech, but President
Miller declared that there was no question be-
fore the house. Wilcox insisted, but was again
suppressed, and the communication was read.
The chair then declared the separate session
of the board in recess, and the aldermen filed
out into the delegates chamber, Wilcox protest
ing that he would have the law on the council
and Sweeney saying: "This is as bad as Reed"
Meantime the resolution was being read in
the house of delegates.
Mr.. Willis said that in order to avoid another
mistake he counseled them to go slow. They
had taken two hasty steps already which they
and the other in accepting it. He thought they
ought to hear from Judge Jacobs.
Judge Jacobs said he had drawn the resolu-
ton after close examination of the subject, and
was satisfied this was the proper course to pur-
sue. He could find no authority in the city
charter authorizing joint session to act on any
communication OF a mayor. The facts must be
ascertained by the houses separately. They
must first find the fac's and then take action
upon them. Mayor White should have adj
dressed the communication TO the board of
aldermen and house of delegates, as they must
first separately accept the resignation and de-
clare a vacancy. Then, the charter says they
must meet in Joint session to elect mayor
after the TACT OF vacancy has been ascertained
by the properly constituted authorities. 1t is
necessary TO have fixed and stable govern
ment, and he adj ured them TO do something de-
cisive and stick TO 1T, and they might be sure
they would be sustained
Mr. Shipley also thought the subject should
have considerable thought. but as a lawyer, he
declared his approval OF the course sug sest ted.
When he read in the papers what had trans
PRED he was amazed that the joint session had
assumed tn act rs il did, knowing that they had
no authority whatever.
Mr. Hanford moved the adoption of the reso-
luton.
Mr. Morford said he would vote aye although
he though; they were doing wrong. Tie reso-
men was notified OF the action Of the house.
When the aldermen filed in TO hold the joint
session the lobby was packed President Miller
took the char, and when the roll was called
there responded Aldermen Poniius, snyder,
Kern. Sweeney, Bogardus, Ingcahan. Delegates
Furry, Bagley, Barnes, Hanlo.d, Cowden, Davis,
Lan,iag. Barton, shiPley, Aorford, Muldoon,
kitiinger, Hart Willis and Jones.
President Miller said he desired to make a
statement before opening the business of the
session, ami as he did not desire TO be misun-
derstood he had put his remarks in writing. He
then read as follows:
The board of aldermen and the house OF dele
gate acting in their respective capacities have
received and accepted the eslgnation OF Mayor
Harry White, heretofore rendered 10 the board
OF aldermen and the house OF delegates OF the
city OF seattle, ami have declared IA vacancy in
said Office as appears by the passage OF the con-
current resolution, which the clerk will read !;
and US the time is less than three months TO the
next general election have called tbls joan con-
yeution 10 eject Il mayor 10 MI the vacancy, as
provided by section II OF article - OF the
charter
Nj Sweeney as ked il il was not necessary to
read the minutes OF the last meeting
President Mi!ler-The clerk viii read the con-
current resolution.
This being done the chair said the minutes OF
the attempt to hold meeting had been de-
clared illegal, but as they were called Tor he
would direct the clerk TO read them.
This being done Mr. Sweeney moved that the
minutes be adopted
Mr.. Jones said they were called for special
purpose and need not confirm the minutes.
Nj Bagley moved and Mr. Barnes seconded
49,. cha T,snutes H. 6isapproSei and the meet