The herald., 1897-12-17

lions made therein are about In the
| same language a. the writ itself.
Taking their seats. the members care
fully read both documents and soon AZ
terward the session was called to order.
City Attorney Dunn appeared before
the council and stated that. pursuant TO
instructions, he had prepared an ordi-
nance calling a special election In the
Seventh ward. He said that It would
be necessary for the names OF the cleo
ton officers to be included In this ordi-
nance and asked that the names be given
him. There were to be eleven polling
places in the ward and 1t was necessary
that eight election officers be appointed
for each, or lightweight In ALL 1t was
If course impossible for the council to
name that many persons who could
aerve. and the matter Of their selection
was left to Councilman Ashman. who
represents that ward. He will be as
sisted in his selections by the other
councilmen.
Continuing, Mr.. Dunn stated that the
council had been served with a restrain
Ing order which was returnable NJ z
o'clock In the afternoon. The city's inter-
est in the matter would be looked after
by himself and Major Lee. MIR. Dunn
suggested that when the council ad-
iourned it be until this morning at 10
o'clock, which was agreed to.
About the time of adjournment the
news reached the city hall that Judge
Smith had sustained Webb's demurrer
to the indictment and that subject was
about the only topic discussed. Most or
the councilmen supposed that that set
tied their power to suspend Webb, as
they thought it disposed of the only
criminal charge against him. They had
forgotten that about the same time that
the indictment was returned the grand
Jury also filed an accusation against
him the purpose of which was to re-
move him from office, and so far as the
councils power in the premises Is con-
cerned this accusation could be used as
n basis for their action the same as an
Indictment. In the morning Webbs
stock began to rise, as 1t was supposed
that for a time at least he had escaped
punishment and could continue to hold
his office. 1t was not until the fight
against the alternative writ OF prohibi-
ton was made in the afternoon That the
members were informed that they could
act upon the accusation, and as soon as
the restraining order was dissolved the
councilmen began to make preparations
for today's meeting.
That Webb will be suspended from Of
fee this morning, unless he re-
sorts again to an injunction
which is not now considered
possible, is almost certainty. At the
request of some of the councilmen City
Attorney Dunn prepared the resolution
which will do the work when 1t Is
adopted. 1t would not be surprising II
the resolution was adopted by unani-
nous vote, the only negative expected
being that Of Mr.. Blanchard. who rep
resents in the council the same ward as
does Webb in the school board.
This mornings session will be a brief
one. The ordinance calling the special
election in the Seventh ward will be
passed and adopted without division. 1t
Is thought. The resolution ousting Webb
will then be taken up and passed. As
soon thereafter as the clerk can OFF,
cially notify Webb Of the action Of the
council he will be, temporarily at least.
a private citizen.