The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-01
He Alleges Ill Health as the
Cause of His Action.
g. ". HALL TAKES HIS PLACE,
SHARP Debate Over a Proposed Res
olution of Regret.
me Resignation Il Accepted by the
Council In Joint Session Debate
over the Necessity of Special Eiec-
tion-Intsrview with maxor white.

M.yo, y nite handed In his resignation of the
mayoraity last night to the CITY couucil His
letter was complete surprise. and although
tne proceedings OF the body in accepting the
se.isnation we're orderly and calm, there was
Intense excitement
Last night while the two bouses Of the CITY
council were in session a summons was re-
49, llom mayor White, calling joint assem-
~ ~ shortly afterward President Hall, to whom
me communication had been delivered. an
1ounceo the fact, and call was or
1ereu ana voted upon. The summons was
snen sent to the delegates, who expressed
tneu Willingness. The aldermen then pro-
ssuso 20 the chamber OF the delegates. There
wefe present Aldermen Hall, Miller, Pontius,
8ogardus, Sweeney, Wilcox, Ingraharn. Korn,
nyoer; delegates, Jones, Furry, Moriord, VIII
ps, Auidoon, Hart, Barnes, Barton, Cowden.
pans ana Bagley. President Hall ascended to
ne cnair ana announced message from the
nsyor' winch Clerk Miller then read, as follows:
MAYORS oFFfCE.
HARRY WHITE, JOHN WALLACE
mayor. Secretary.
SEATTLE, Wash, Nov. 80, 1891.
Io the Board OF Aldermen and House OF Dele
&esee OF the City OF Seattle -GentIcmen:-My
1sath navlng been falling me for the past few
months, have concluded that in justice 20 N.Y.
ell could no longer perform the duties Of
mayor. therefore have decided to render you
HARRY WHITE, Mayor.
Ar. Bagiey moved that it be accepted, and Mr..
1ngraham seconded
President Hall-Mr. Jones raises the question
whether this is n legal assembly. He asks If it
was regularly called. Ny answer is: Yes. that
Ills addressed to "the city council in Joint SEES
sion assembled"
The charter provides" said Mr. Wilcox,
shat resignation must be acted upon imme-
diatsly."
Mr. Bogardus replied: "The mayor has re-
eagned; that's all there is to it."
Clerk Miller then called the roll and each an.
oWered "aye,' except Dr. Sweeney, who voted
no." In stentorian tones. The chair declared
the resignation accepted.
MI. Wilcox-I move we do now adjourn.
The motion was carried and the aldermen re-
surned TO their chamber, the whole proceeding
not occupying more than ten minutes.
When the delegates had reconvened Mr. Bag
ley said question of legality had occurred to
nim He would therefore propose to make the
xos1gnation take effect week from tomorrow,
that would save special election by carry
ing It within the three months limit. The char
ter provides that If the mayor resigns, unless
within three months OF the general election, q
special election must be held.
Mr.. Jones thought they had better have White
serve for another seven days than .aave special
election.
Mr. Bagley said the council need not call
UPectal GiSCtiOu, anu InaL would leave the preSt-
N14nt OF the board,Sf aldermen acting mayor.
nWaffalalSed to hold another joint session
20 consider this point
Mr.. Willis asked leave to introduce a resolu-
tion, and read the following:
WHEREAS, The resignation of Mayor White
sewers our connection with him n the official
head OF our city government, therefore,
Resolved By the board of aldermen, the house
q delegates concurring. that we extend to him
our thanks for his courteous treatment and gen.
erous conduct while in Office, and hereby
press our confidence and esteem OF him per-
6onally.
Mr.. Bagley thought the friends OF Mr. White
would be wise to let the matter drop. This
resolution might only stir up feeling
Mr.. Willis-This resolution expresses the
views OF Willis.
"a Mr. Bagley--Just so, but happen to know
that this resignation is forced, and it will not
~ good for Mr.. White to have this resolution
rssssd place myself To- on record as opposing
Wult OF a demand which Mr.. White has consid-
4 red II best not to resist / would not have
poken thus had the resolution not been in
oduced.
SesNevertheless," replied Mr.. Willis, ar move
adoption"
VI Muldoon said that owing to his long alb
y lpe he was quite in the dark as to all these
Deedings, and as he could not vote intelli-
~ he asked to DO excused.
Barnes also desired more information be-
0YDting, and he therefore moved that action
Y11fponed for a week.
Nh few dissenting cries of "No'' the mo-
UnnNAs carried.
M u he meantime the aldermen on resuming
E6Ifn1 informally OF the resignation.
arovon days notice ought TO be given" said
11dosman Wilcox, "before joint session is
I'D This joint session should have been
6nlied By join. resolution, or held at the meet
d M OF the frst Monday of tho month.
nThe charter provides that if the Office of
FAVOR becomes vacant inside of three months
liz IL,
{ hoard OF aldermen shall be acting mayor Tor
that intervening period; but II the vacancy oc-
curs previons to that three months, then a
snecial election shall be called to I'LL the va
cancy."
Tho consideration of these propositions
plunged the aldermen into an animated discus.
sion.
ave hadn't ought to have opened that mes
sage for seven days." said Wilcox.
az think we might ask the mayor to with
Av.v his resignation" said Ingraham. s'He
vas surely not acquainted with all the oircum-
etances of this matter.
.That may be So" exclaimed Snyder. ''but the
man who has held ofieo az long as Mayor
white has and then doesn't know what he is
vesigning for is bigger chump than ever Ia
take him 10 be-
aThis speedy action may interfere with the
huxiness of the city," suggested Pontius. ~
shinl the resignation ought TO be recon
sidered."
chairman Hall said he was sorry the members
affair raise all their points in the joint session.
FINALLY. on motion of Ineraham, five min.
ga. recess was taken, the delegates were con-
s.,i.ed. and tho two houses met together once
-cre : haif-hour succeeding the joint session.
when the council was again Ia joint session,
wr Hall said a question had arisen upon some
1egai points. ,-,,.
ssI am not quite clear as TO the legality OF the
49,, session. said Mr.. Jones, but the charter
g -erv clear as 10 special election when the
.v,r resigns II IL occurs outside OF three
-crshs from general election.
s.yr rlaces where there is no provision for
..a..sor the law must be vigorously inter
--s..a replied Mr. Baglef, "tor IN this case
p charter provides an immediate successor.
rSa interests OF the city will noi suffer, but
sh.x w,ll suffer il special election IS called.
me mayor has resigned; that makes the va
-s,,cv i don't believe the vote OF thts body
~sarss any difference whatever No election
-.ed be called unless the eouheH osc1des 10
call one" -. .h. rnx,rrs,,c, v,,,,,s
-. 49,, .ssset until accepted. This had been
nos so ia saw no way out but 20 have q
special election. o,,,ton thar IL x,,,s
~. sarlous to have mayor whose legality
= ~ called into question signing bonds sud
49,. We Gan stretch over week. Dur We must
s.nsect the homer OF our paper. -, IL.
- SNYDER said any three members eoatd cal
-. .sss;an. lie was quite sasisae0 thA' the
ss..,x was regular, ~ ell haa !elhe1 ~ re-
s.sS yosa in the call The fssAsuA'lVn haa
Saae sasa,,,e mart OF the recorus. Legally TIE
.s,w q row without MAYER. ,
Sass .n considered the rssignaNoa was