Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-01-29
THAT AUDITOR QUESTION.
1hc City Council Listens to the Law
No Action Taken.

communication addressed to it by the
Mayor a week ago upon the matter OF
the removal of it's auditor. All the
members were present and after the
call of the roll aud few introductor
remarks by the Mayor, S. E. Wilson
spoke to the council in behalf of Mr.
Parks. The latter read communica-
tion to the council by permission, in
which he asked for vindication ut their
hands from the injury done by the ac-
tion of the Mayor in peremptorily re-
moving him. Thefollowingis the com
munication:
"To the Honorable Council, Hot
Springs, So. Oak.
Gentlemen: Notice signed by the
Mayor of this city having been served
was removed from my Office as City
Auditor, followed by the somewhat
lengthy special message submitted to
YOU by his honor at your last meeting,
purportins to give the reasons for this
action of the Mayor. impel me to ask
your indulgence, while briefly state
my reasons for not coinciling with his
views in this matter. My further en-
cuse for trespassing upon your time
may be more apparent from the fact of
the Mayors undue anxiety to parade
himself before the public by airing his
views at frequent intervals in public
print. upon the duties of city and other
officials. and by the same means seek
ing to justify his action in my case be-
fore the public. If you and 1, and the
citizens of HotSprings generally, could
but believe that the Mayors anxiety
for the city's welfare and not his inor-
dinate desire to 'glorify the Major was
the handspring which moved him in
this wanton and uncalled-for attack
upon me, would resign this ..otfice,
notwithstanding, am conscious of no
wrong ever having been done, or con-
templated, against the city by me at
any time, either in accepting employ
ment by the Water, Light n Power Co.
or in any other way. Now am not a
lawyer as the Mayor is, and hence shall
not endeavor to present to YOU the
legal phases of this case; that will
leave to my attorney whom ask you
to hear in this behalf, but believe l
know my duties as your servant and
my rights as an officer of this munich :
pality. If have performed these du-
ties faithfully, efficiently, honestly and
acceptably. you know it and have a
right to say, as contend, whether
shall be dismissed peremptorily, with
out an opportunity to be heard before
this council, the body which gave me
this Office and the only power which is
clothed with authority to dismiss me
before the expiration of my term.
have had this Office since April. 1894
having received my first appointment
under the administration of the Hon
J. b. Dickover. and have served under
parts of observation-disclosures. Inever
sought the Office at any time, but wish
to here acknowledge my gratitude tc
the friends who were instrumental in
putting me in the place, for the salary
though small, was great help to me
in my Strengthened financial condition
The Mayor says in his special message
that 'rumors were rife upon the streets
as to in.perfections in the city's re
cords as to matters concerning the
Water, Light n Power Co, and numer
GUS protests were made to me (him) b,
leading citizens on account of thi
state of affairs by this cowardly in
sinuation he seeks to create the i'm
preston that my records were no'
properly kept. 1t seems to me thai
the highest executive officer of IL cit.
ought to have something more thar
tstrceS rumor' before he assumes til,
prerogatives of dictator or Il Gar
and pretends to dismiss an officer o
this council without making singh
specific charge orgiving that officer al
opportunity to be heard in his own de
fense. Now challenge the Mayor t,
produce the leading citizens and a
to the condition of the records, the,
are at all times open to his and you
inspection alike. Their CORRECTNESS
can be verified at any time and invit
the most critical examination that Cal
be made of not only the records of M
! office, but of every act of my official posi-
tion, and l shall be glad to have turne'
ON the search-light of the keenes
h Investigation My service as you
I Auditor covers period of nearly tbre
! years, during which time have earn
\ estly endeavored to perform the dutie
4 and all the duties of my Office, faith
! fully, conscientiously and honestly
! II my work had not been satisfactorily
done, it would doubtless have bee1
brought to my attention before this.
have heard no word of complaint iron
/ won. The Mayor himself has made n,