Evening journal., 1891-04-04
MAY OR HARRiNeroMs ATTITUDE

MAY OR HARRiNGToNs ATTITUDE.
We have the klndliest feelings and
the sincerest regard for Mayor Harring-
ton personally, but we cannot allow sen
timsnt TO obscure judgment In reference
to the conflicting calls Of his duty as the
chief official Of the city and his profit as
an attorney
There Is no question that as an attor
nsy ho should not accept fees from clients
whoss interests are in conflict with the
interests Of the city there is no question
that as attorney he should not accept fees
from clients whose dealings may in any
way come under his supervision or be
subject TO his influence as the chief
officer of the city. II Is no matter how
carefully the business Of the attorney
and the duties of the mayor may be
separated, the two interests should not
be in the hands Of one man. An editorial
In the Freie Press says:
mo man can serve two masters; for.
either he will hate the one and love the
other, or else he will hold to the one and
dospise the other." This Biblical Quota
tion enters our mind almost uncon
sciously when we view the spectacle that
is being enacted in this city at the pres.
ent time; at the same time 1t will serve
as the general verdict Of the public on
the conduct of Mayor Harrington in the
imbroglis with the 0xy- Hydrogen Gas
Company, j. Edward Addicks has
built large gas works here and maintains
that bis charter gives him the legal right
to tear up the streets Of Wilmington
without asking the permission OF the
city authorities. The Street. and Sewer
Department, on the other hand, denies
this right, and legal controversy has
been precipitated which will need the ia
tervention OF the courts 70 resch q de-
eision The Street and Sewer Department
Is a department OF the city government
and at the head Of all city department,
is Mayor Harrington, the chief executive
OF the city, whose sworn duty II Is tc
maintain and protect the interests of tbs
city again, Mayor Harrington, in a pro-
fessienal capacity is counsel for the Oxy
hydrogen Company. AS this company
is now involved Ia legal contest will
the city, eounselor Harrington is fight
ing the city. while Mayor Harrington /.
defending it. How q man can fill such !
peculiar dual role is an insolvable prob
leu. No one can deny Counselor Har-
rington the right to engage himself 81
Mr.. AddIckss attorney but nevertheless,
II will be the general opinion that h
SHOULD first resign his position as mayor
The conclusion arrived at seems by n
means q violent sns, namely. that Mr.
Harrington should not appear in tn
dual capacity Of attorney for Mr.
Adiioks's hyphsnated gaseous con.
glomeration and as mayor OF the city o.
Wilmington at the same time In a con.
test before the city authorities Til,
mayor, as the chief executive ofiser O
the city is certainly debarred from sp
pesring as the leading counsel for mai
contending against department of tn
city. II that is not correct legal prac
tice, it is certainly good morals.
The above conclusion is arrived q
without considering the fact that Nj
} Harrington is also bending his energie
, to obtain another important Office, ths
/ Of city solicitor At the suffrage Of th
people. 1t isa pertinent question in thi
connection whether Mr.. Harrington
I would still remain in the employ Of Nj
Addlcks in the event of being elected t
the Office Of city solicitor.