The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-19
BRUNSWICK'S MAYORALTY.
The Supreme Court Holds That Lamb
Was Illegally 0uStCd.

His Term of OfHca Under the Law Had
Another Year to Run-Dunwoody IL
legally Filling the Position for the
Past Six Months-Lamb in the Mean
time Appointed Collector of the Port.
A Question of Salary Involved.
: Atlanta, Ga. June 1S.-The supreme
court to-day decided that Mayor Dun
woody OF Brunswick has no legal right to
his Office. but that Hon. Thomas Lamb,
who was defeated in the election held for
mayor by Mayor Dunwoody last Decem-
Der, is the rightful mayor. Mayor Dun
woody has been in Office since January.
nearly six months. The supreme court
does not pass upon the legality of his acts
during this time. but merely declares
that The Office of mayor belongs to Mayor
Lamb until Jan. /, 1895. This question
will doubtless yet be raised. as well as the
ques tion of Mr.. DunwOody's right to the
Office, even at the expiration of Mayor
Lambs term. At the time of Mayor
Dunwoody's election Mayor Lamb did not
give up the office without protest. He
claimed that he was entitled to hold over
until January 1895, term of two years
instead of one year under an amendment
to the charter of the city passed by the
legislature. This new amendment. which
provided for term of two years for the
mayor, had not been approved by the gov
ernor at the time of the election and on
this ground Mayor Dunwoody was given
the Office by Judge Sweat, before
whom proceedings were brought to GUST
Lamb. The supreme court holds, however,
that Mayor Lambs term was covered by
this amendment and therefore Mayor
Dunwoody will have to step down and
out.
Mayor Lamb is now holding an appoint
ment under the government and could
settle the confused condition of affairs in
part by resigning, but the fight against
him by the Dunwoody faction was so Bit
ter that he may not feel disposed to yield
them any point. Besides Mayor Dun
woody has been drawing the salary that
should have gone to Mayor Lamb for six
months past and this will have to be set
tied up. Altogether the situation is ex-
ceedingly interesting.
THE HISTORY OF THE CASE.
Brunswick, Ga, June 1S.--Local inter
est was thoroughly aroused over tele-
grams received to-day announcing the
supreme court decision that T. w. Lamb
was unlawfully unseated, and H. j. Dun
woody unlawfully placed in the mayors
chair last January Mr.. Lambs Office was
thronged with friends, who rejoiced with
him over the decision. The facts of the
election of MIR. Dunwoody are as fol-
lows: Last December while Mr. Lamb.
then mayor was in Washington hunting
for the position Of collector of customs,
meetings were held, and Mr. Dunwoody
and four aldermen were nominated An
election was held, the Lamb side contend
ing that Mr.. Lamb was elected for two
years in 1892, and therefore putting forth
no opposition When Mr.. Lamb returned
to Brunswick he claimed the chair, and in
the contest Mr. Dunwoody was
recognized by the aldermen The
case was carried to court. Judge
Sweat decided against Mr.. Lamb, who
carried his case to the supreme court
with the result reached to-day. In the
meantime MIR, Lamb caught the collector
ship plum and is now filling that office.
When interviewed tonight he stated
that he felt fully indicated and that
justice had been done him He declined
to state his future movements, but said
emphatically that he would do nothing to
in1ure Brunswick.
The question arises whether Mr.. Lamb
can hold both the mayoralty and collec-
torship, and the public mind is agitated
over it. Lawyers say his salary will be
due him for the six months he was out of
the mayors office, amounting to $500.
DUNwoODY PHILOSOPHICAL
Mr. Dunwoody, when interviewed, said:
81 do not see anything to do
but to accept the decisions of the
court. L have not decided whether
to await the Judgment of custer from the
superior court or simply notify Mr.
Lamb. I will not await that; he can as
sumo Office as mayor My counsel, Judge
Atkinson, is out of the city, but in my
opinion the court of last resort having
settled the question there is nothing for
me to do except to abide its decision and
surrender the office"
In response to a question he said: sT
have drawn my salary at the rate of 800
per year. Further, L was called to the
mayors Office by the people of Brunswick
and accepted it at their earnest solicita-
ton, and | vacate the mayoralty not
by their desires or wishes, but
in obedience to the laws of the
land. In the event Mr. Lamb
retires and council mas to elect man. If
they see fit to pay me the compliment of
electing me mayor for the unexpired term
when Mr.. Lamb resigns, l will accept the
same, but as to being a candidate for the
position, I am not and will not be-" 1t is
the opinion of lawyers here that Mr..
Dunwoody being mayor the facts will
legalize all the proceedings of council
during his term, thus abolishing all points
of law arising from the signing of con-
tracts, etc