The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-16
Ex-CoRPORATION ATTORNEY OAR
RAGH BEGINS AN ACTION
AGAINST THE CITY.
THE CUT THAT WAS ORDERED
WAS, HE CLAIMS, CONTRARY To
THE PROVISIONS OF THE
CHARTER.
HE PROTESTED AGAINST 1T.
Now He Proposes to Show That the
Act of Cutting 1t Off Was Not
JustifiabIe.

The curtain has risen on the second
act of municipal drama which had
its inception more than a year ago.
Corporation Attorney Darragh has
served notice on Mayor Doran, as the
chief executive Of the city of st. Paul,
to appear in district court as defendant
In suit to recover salary alleged to
be due for services rendered while in
the employ of the city as corporation
attorney.
1t will be remembered that in the
wave Of reform which swept over the
city at the beginning of the year 1885,
several of the city officials received a
cut IN their salaries, very much against
the will of some of them, and among
the dissatisfied ones was Mr.. Darragh
Mr. Darragh was absent from the city
at the time it was decided to make the
cut and was called back in a hurry by
the rest of the officials in order that
they might ascertain his views on the
matter. A consultation was held upon
his arrival and it was decided to abide
by his actions. The officials were all
summoned before the council and asked
/ if they would consent to a cut Of 10
per cent in thier salaries, and Attorney
Darragh's reply, as spokesman for the
entire party, was a fat refusal
After rather stormy session, dur
ing which Mr.. Darragh gave notice
that if the cut was made he would, at
the end of his term sue for the amount
taken from his salary, it was decided
to make the cut without the consent Of
the officials
Attorney Darraghs term of office
closed March TO- and true to his word
he has begun suit to recover the
amount which has been deducted from
his salary since Jan. 1, 1896.
The complaint and summons which
he will today serve on Mayor Doran is
as follows:
That during the year 1896. and prior there
to, and until March 10, 1897 said plaintiff
discharged the duties of said office and rem
dered service for the defendant as such cor
poratton attorney aforesaid and that by
chapter Of the Special Laws of the State of
Minnesota for the year 1891 entitled IAN act
10 amend the charter of the city of st. Paul,
ana the acts amendatory thereof" approved
April |, A. ID. 1891, which act is still in force
ana erect, the salary and compensation of the
pialhtiH, as such corporation attorney afore-
sald, Is fixed and established at the sum of
$1,000 per annum, payable in equal monthly
city.
That the salary and compensation of the
said plaintiff aforesaid for the year 1886
and until March 10, 1897, excepting the sum
Of land here follows detailed list of the
the sum due as salary and compensation for
the above period Of time. has not been paid
although the same has been duly demanded
since the same became due and before the
commencement OF this action.
wherefore, the plaintiff demands judgment
against the defendant, for the sum Of 1922 20
with interest, on the various sums since the
time due, together with the costs and dis
bursements of this action.
In an interview with Attorney Darragh
yesterday afternoon. he said: st is nv in
tention to show these people that law is law
and that the statutes cannot be dallied with
at will. They had not the least right in the
provides that the salary of a city official can
not be changed during his tenure in office
without his consent. I have extremely
confident that will win this suit"