Arizona republican., 1895-07-03
Question of Alderman
 Lewis Disability.
A Possible Penalty for Invest
 ment in Outside Property.
A Reasonable Opinion that tn Councilman Himself Knows
 ''Where He Is at."

Last nights meeting of the city council was devoted almost exclusively to the question of the residence of Councilman Lewis, of the Second ward. The question was raised a week ago by persons living in that ward who eaid that the fact that he had purchased property without the ward and had built house upon it disqualified him for further service.
 The councilman was not then present and the matter was postponed until he could be given hearing as to whether he had really removed from the ward. In the meantime the city attorney was instructed to prepare a written opinion upon the subject.
 When the case came up last night, the councilman declared with some emphasis that he still resided in, and in- tended to continue to reside within the ward from which he was elected. It was true that he was guilty of the enormity of owning ard improving real estate outside of his ward. He had indeed removed or caused to be placed in it certain furniture and had rented house and furniture to a tenant. His offense had been aggravated and his ineligibility intensified by permit ing his wife to leave not only the ward, but he had even let her go on visit be- vond the city limits, the county limits, and the territorial limits.
 She had indeed gone SO far as Boston, Mass, where she would probably pass the heated season visiting relatives and friends. The councilman offered in attenuation of the apparent heinousness of his of fense that she intended to come back and that in the meantime he had never removed from the ward, had not in- tended to remove from it, but was oc- cupying and intended to keep on oc. cupying rooms in the Fleming block. He also owned property in the Fourth ward he had furniture there and if his residence was to be determined bv the location of his property and his furni. ture. he ight with as much reason be esteemed to be resident of the Fourth ward.
 The city attorneys written opinion was that the councilman was the best judge of residence which had come to be disputed. It was solely matter of intent and he had expressly stated that it was not his intent to leave the ward. In proof of his intent was the fact that he was in it and had no other place to go since his property outside the ward was occupied by tenants.
 There was no other expression by the council than an opinion by an adverse member that where mans property and furniture was there must he be also.
 To further determine this ludicrous question another meeting of the coun. Gil was called for tonight st which wit nesses will be summoned to enlig hten , Councilman Lewis upon what he really intended to do with himself when he permitted his wife to go to Boston. By these self same expert witnesses , aided by the council he will learn if in. vestment in outside property constitutes an official disability. The adjudication of this matter tonight will be breath
 lessly awaited by all classes of p1blie officials below the grade of president ei the United States who may own and improve real estate anywhere at least within his own dominions.
 MT. H. W. Ryder was before the council in the matter of his application for an omnibus, telephone and tele- graph franchise. The council was in. clined to believe it is too general.