The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-30

of the board present as follows: A1der-
men T. u. Meares, r. w. Hicks, W. c.
VonGlahn, w. II. Northro,.,. Jr.. T. ],
Gore and D.. d. Camero.l. Absent, AL
dermen VIM. Z. Syringer. democrat,
and Aldermen. Walker and Nixon, re-
publicans.
On motion Of Alderman VonG1ahn,
Alderman Northrop was made temper
AIRY secretary.
The mayor announced that a quorum
was present, and stated that the meet
ing was ready for any business TO come
before it.
Alderman Meares arose and said:
Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen:
A you are aware, an election was
held in the city yesterday, under an
act of the general assembly, for men,
bers Of the board of aldermen. There
are also parties holding certificates Of
appointment from the governor as al
dermen Of the several wards, it being
intended that those elected and those
appointed should constitute the new
, board Of aldermen for the city. The
members of this board having reason
to believe that a contest will be made
over the constitutionality OF his act
OF the Legislature, and that there would
be several bodies claiming to be men,
bers of the board OF aldermen of the
city either by appointment or by cleo
ton or both; and not knowing what
their duty was in the premises, sought
legal advice, and, as appeared in the
city papers this morning, hav been
counSeled that it would not only be
improper for them to turn over the
city government, under these condi-
tons, but their duty not to do SO. We
are both willing and anxious to sur
render the city government into the
hands OF whoever may be lawfully
entitled to take charge Of it, but at
tho G a Ypa tir,1n We uiGh m dice q rDQ
our duty as public officers in accord
ance with the law, End to turn over
the city government only to that one
Of the contrasting boards, which I
learn are being organized today, that
has a right to take charge OF it. Ger
tainly none Of us hav any desire to
obstruct in any way the officials OF the
city in the discharge of their duties,
nor cause any friction whatsoever in
the engagement Of the city's affairs,
but I think have a right to ascertain
who are the lawful officials. Actuated.
therefore, by a sense of duty, and that
only, and wishing to avoid an improp-
er surrender of the city government
into the hands of those who may bo
hereafter declared not entitled to as
sumo it's duties, it would seem best
hat we hould continue to hold the
same until the courts decide who are
the rightful claimants. Surely no harm
can come from this action. as this
board must necessarily be prepared
cheerfully to relinquish its duties to it's
rightful successors, whoever they may
be, and as soon as they can be as
certained by due process of law. With
these feelings and under these cir
cumstances, I offer the following reSO'
buttons, and move their adoption:
Whereas, This board has been legally
advised that there are grave doubts as
to the constitutionality Of the act of
the Legislature under which the recent
election for aldermen was held, as we'll
as the legality Of the appointment of
aldermen by the governor, and
Whereas, More than one set Of citi-
zens are now claiming the city govern
ment upon the basis of said election
and appointment, and
Whereas, This board is legally adj
vised hat under the conditions exist
ing it is not only improper for this
board to surrender the city government
unto the claimants, therefore, but their
manifest duty not to do so, until the
rights Of the proper claimants are duly
and legally established. Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, By the mayor and board
OF aldermen Of the city Of Wilmington
in meeting duly assembled that they /
decline to surrender the city govern
ment to any body of citizens claim
ing the same until required to do so by
the courts"
Alderman Northrop seconded the mo-
ton and the resolutions were unani-
mously adopted on a call by Alderman
Meares for the ayes and nays.
Alderman NorthrOp said the terms OF
the city clerk and treasurer and the
chief Of police having expired by linn
i~tatiOn, he moved to go into election of
these officers. The motion was seconded
by Alderman VonGlahn and was
unanimously adopted.
The mayor declared nominations for
city clerk and treasurer as in order.
Alderman Hicks nominated for that
Captain Walter G.. MacRae.
The nomination was seconded by AL
derman Gore, who moved that nomi-
close. Alderman Gore seconded
the nomination and it was adopted.
Alderman VonGlahn moved that the
clerk cast the unanimous vote Of the
board for Captain MacRae for city
clerk and treasurer. The motion was
adopted and the vote was so cast.
The mayor announced that the NOM
.ination OF a chief Of police was in or
der.
Alderman VonGlahn nominated ex-
of Police R.. B. Glove for that
position, saying he had served faith
fully and efficiently in that position for
two years. The nomination was second
ed by Alderman Cameron. and On mo-
llol vi 1A1ldA lLC SCSs
rotary cast the unanimous vote Of the
for Mr.. Glove.
Alderman Hicks moved that a COM
OF two be appointed to wait on
Captain MacRae and Mr.. Glove and
notify them Of their election and ask
them to qualify. The motion was Sec
onded by Alderman Gore. and was
The mayor appointed Alder
men Hicks and Meares as the commit
tee.
At 11:4k a. m. the board adjourned.
A THIRD MAYOR ELECTED.
After holding their caucus there was
4 regular meeting of the three demo-
aldermen who were electd on
Thursday and received their certifi-
Gates Of election. and the five demo-
who claim to have been elected,
On the ground Of the unconstitutional
Ity Of the act amending the city charter
were sworn In by Justice of the
Peace John j. Fowler, as follows: c.
L. Spencer. of the First ward; William
Springer and J. G.. Munds. of the ,