The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-02
THUNDERBoLT CONTEST ON.
ARGUMENT FROM BOTH SIDES
HEARD IN SUPERIOR COURT.

Claims of the COntending Factions.
Each Wants to Control the Gov
eminent of the Little Burg of
Warsaw-SimpIy the Old Fight Be-
tween Doyle and Desvergers That
Has Been Going on for Years-Did
the ThunderbOIt Contest Have Any
Effect on Savannah's City Elec-
tion.
The suit of the contending factions for
the control of the government of Thun-
yesterday by Mr.. It. S. Morgan, Jr., rep
resenting the REALTORS and Mr. w. p. La
Roche, representing the respondents.
The REALTORS, as named in the petition
to the court, are Messrs. M. j. Doyle,
George o. Howe, L. w. Nelson, II. L.
Gragg, John f. Rotureau, f. ]. I4aRoach,
Emanuel D. Christ, John H. Grimm, Died
rich GRIMM, d. H. Scheuneman, Henry
Tubessing, A, NJ. Barbee, James Gardner,
Philip M. Russell, Henry Ambos and ].
A. Sawyer Their petition is directed
against Maxine J. DesveFgeFs, William
f. Cler, F. V. Toomer and j. A. Shep-
pard, who now hold as commissioners OF
Thunderbolt, and against w. w. Aimar'
alleged treasurer"
The points in the case have been previ-
ously stated. The fight against the pres
ent board is based Oh the claim that
three of the four commissioners now hold
ing office have been elected since the last
popular election to fill vacancies caused
by the designations of members elected
at that time, and that the fourth and only
member elected at that election is now a
resident of Florida. 1t IS claimed that
these elections by the board were Illegal,
and should be declared void.
The answer of the respondents denies
that Messrs. Doyle, Howe. Nelson, Grimm,
Scheuneman, Tubessing, Barbee and Rus
sell are residents and citizens of Warsaw
or that Mr.. Christ is a lot owner of the
town. II also denies that Commissioner
J. A. Sheppard has permanently removed
his residence from Thunderbolt, The re-
ply answers the charge of iIegaIity as TO
the manner of filling vacancies by citing
the fact that Mr.. Howe was elected by
the board under the administration Of Mr..
Nelson, who is charged 9Th instigatlng
the present proceedings, to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of James Mulllgan.
While admitting that vacancies could
not properly be filed by the board under
the old charter, the reply AYERS that the
only authority now existing for the hll-
ing of vacancies which have occurred or
may hereafter occur is conferred by Sec
ton five of the act OF 1898 amendatory OF
the charter. The point Is further made
that under the terms of this act no cleo
ton for Mayor and aldermen can be held
until May l, 1899, so that a judgment of
custer by the court would leave the town
without a government. The two sides of
the question were argued at some length
by the opposing attorneys. the charter
amendments coming in for considerable
discussion The attorneys will submit
briefs to the court for its consideration.
The Thunderbolt contest is simply the
old fight between Doyle and Desvergers as
to who shall control the local govern
ment. Mr.. Desvergers was the local Dick
Croker of Thunderbolt for number OF
years, but was succeeded several years
ago by Mr.. Nelson Mr. Doyles son-in-law
Mr.. Nelson was chairman Of the present
board, but got mad because his colleagues
took a different view Of the regulation of
the Sunday business at Thunderbolt from
that held by him and resigned. Two other
designations followed, and in the melee Mr.
Desvergers slid back into his old place
at the head Of the town government.
Incidentally, Mr. Desvergers had some
very extensive amendments to the town
charter put through the last legislature
aldermen of Warsaw, to be
elected blennially, with municipal pow
crs. The eligible voters are limited TO
resident lot owners and a registration is
provided for. The registration and election
will be in the control Of the council This
is the meat in the cocoanut. As the terms
of the present commissioners will expire
May / it does not make so much difference
whether they were legally elected or not
but the fact that which ever faction IS in
power viii control the registration and
election Is of vast significance to those
interested.
II may not be far guess to surmise
that perhaps the passage Of Mr.. Desver-
gers charter amendments through the
legislature by the Liberal representatives
had something TO do with Capt Doyle's
decided opposition to Mr.. McDonough and
the Liberal ticket in the recent city cleo
ton. II such was the case Il may be that
Thunderbolts politics decided the mayo
rallty election In Savannah e
---a-ers-
Sixth Regiment Reviewed.