Evening star., 1902-04-21
NEWS FROM LAUREL.
City Government Muddle Now in the
Courts
pecial Correspondence of The Evening Star.


Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star
LAUREL. Md. April q, 1902.
Copies of a petition for a mandamus to
compel the surrender by the old mayor and
town council of all property, books, papers,
records, corporate seal and archives of the
corporation of Laurel have been served on
Messrs John P. Poe and Charles NJ. STAN
ley, attorneys for Mayor Edward Phelps
and the old town council The petitioners
are Mayor G. B. Timanus and the newly
elected town council, and are represented
in the case by City Solicitor Charles w.
Darr and Attorney James c. Rogers. The
petition was filed Saturday at Marlboro,
and 1t is expected that the answers of the
defendants, namely. Mayor Edward Phelps
and the former council. Will be ready to-
morrow. A hearing viii be given the case
by Judge Merrick of the circuit court of
Prince Georges county Wednesday. The
attorneys on either side have been notified
to appeal from the decision handed down
by Judge Merrck should the decision be
against them. and it is thought the records
in the case will be in the hands of the
court of appeals for its action by the latter
part of this week, probably by Thursday or
Friday. An early settlement of the mat
ter is desired by both parties in the con-
troversy, but there is little likelihood that
a decision will be rendered by the court OF
appeals prior to the time set forth for the
next town election. Saturday of this week.
The petition sets forth that the certifi-
Gates of election were not delivered until
the 10th day of April. the day after the
date set forth in the charter for the quail
fication of the mayor and council. 1t also
asserts that the new mayor and council
qualified by taking the prescribed oath OF
office before justice of the peace. The
petition also shows that every effort except
the use of force has been made to obtain
from Edward Phelps and the old council
the books, papers and records Of the town.
but without success. and that by reason OF
this failure the petitioners are unable to
properly perform their duties.
The action of the old mayor and town
council in issuing a proclamation calling
for a special election, to be held Saturday,
the 26th instant, the petition further con-
tends. Is illegal and without any warrant
in law and against the rights of the peo-
pie and taxpayers of Laurel The petition
ers also ask that they may keep and hold
their said offices undisturbed by and with
out the interference of the said defendants
or of each or any Of them, and that the
title of said office of mayor be adjudged as
belongong to Gustavus b. Timanus: that
the title and right to the offices of city
councilmen be adjudged as belonging to
Robert L. Frye, H. H. W., Thies. James A.
Brown. Gilbert A. Haslup and Walter A.
Martin.
An effort will be made by both sides of
the controversy to have the election procla-
nation for Saturday next postponed until
after the court of appeals has rendered its
ueClS1On, ana II the OeClSlOn SuSIdtnS Cne
contention Of the new mayor and city
council the election. of course, will not be
held.
The Evansville Farmers Club held its reg
ular monthly meeting Saturday night at
Montpelier. the residence of Mr.. Edmund
Pendleton. about three miles to the south
east OF Laurel. The club was called to
order by the retiring president, Mr.. Charles
H. Stanley, who in a few brief remarks in
troduced the new president, Mr. l.. E.
Dorsey.
The question of public highways was the
topic for discussion at the meeting and an
excellent paper the subject was read by
the host
A spirited contest for the supremacy in
this district was waged in the republican
primaries held here Saturday. The con-
testants were Mayor G. B. Timanus and his
following and Mr.. James p. Curley among
whose supporters were Postmaster Charles
F. Shaffer. jr., and Mr.. 2. p. Castle. Quite
large vote was polled, resulting in the
election of the Curley ticket, Delegate
rockingham running far ahead of his
ticket. The following delegation will par
ticipate in the county convention, held to-
day at Marlboro: James P. Curley, Charles
A. rockingham. Laurie Burke. Joseph
Watkins, coiored, and VIM. H. Shorter. col