The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-11-27
Al DERN|AH SEAY
May BE- RE-ELECTED
Is Advised to Resign Federal
Position.

It developed at4the meeting of the Board
of Aldermen last night that the conten-5
tor Of Mr.. NJ ELL Seay. of Clay Ward.
"A that he is still q member of@the higher
branch of the City Council, the opinion of
City Attorney Pollard to the contrary not
Wi,hstanding, is not seriously regarded by.
President William N. Turpin and a NUM-
bcf of other Aldermen. as a result Of
which no matter, whether of serious con-
sequence or not, will be passed upon
Where he has the deciding vote. In other
words. it is the opinion of President FUR
pin, whoEis an able LAWYER, that the de-
cison of City Attorney Pollard in regard
to the eligibility of a member of either
branch of the Council who holds posi-
ton under the&Federai Government, is
sound and will stand the test in the courts
Of the State. He simply regards the seat
of Mr.. Seay vacant. he having been incl
igihlesa at the time he was elected by the
voters of Clay Ward.
The meeting had been called to concur
in the action of the Common Council ap-.
propria ting $500 with which to construct
a ncw sewer along Broad and Thirty-tirst#
Streets, 10 relieve deplorable state of
affairs caused by break in the old sewer.
Under the charter Of the city a two
tnrds.EyoteEis necessary in order to pass
~, appropriation of any sum in excess OF
s1tU
A LONG WAIT.
Although the call stipulated Z o'clock
as the hour of meeting only few mem-
hers# were on hand at this time. At I'D
there were in the chamber thirteen Alder.
1r1en. including the president One more
member was necessary. and just at this
moment Mr.. Seay.s figure darkened the.
dcor BY many it was thought that the
body would be called to order and the
work disposed of without further delay,
hut@AIr Turpin refused to do this, stating
that under the existing conditions ne.
deemed it unwisea to make an appropr1a-
ton while Mr.. Seay's vote was necessary
10 pass the measure He said he would
not proceed until another member put in.
his annea rance thus insuring the action
against any contest. During all this time
.8e.e. man Seay# vas couversinS IN ms
usual pleasant manner with some OF MS
fellow members and only few We're
#on the inside as to the real9c cause of the
delay.
Finally Mr.. Burton. who had been de-.
tanned by a meeting of the School Board,
in, and City Clerk August called the
bodv to ORDER after which the pproprla-.
ton was voted without delay the rules
having been suspended on motion#of Mr.
Minor. Following this action Mr.. Gordon.
aoftered a resolution. which was passed.
81 Ing the Finance Committee authority
tv negotiate loan OF s-2,"oo VIII Witt,
to conduct the a1alrS OIL 4tiesci uutil
the first of the year.
After the meeting Alderman Whittet Of
clay Ward. Alderman Minor, of Lee Ward.
and Alderman Cottrell, of Clay Ward, all
warm personal friends OF Mr. seay, dis
cussed the situation at some length with
him. but he refused to make known what
action he would take in regard TO the
natter
from the Board and offer for election
They assured him that ne would nave no
r,,,,,osi+inn and that in the future he would
he 4 legal member of the body, provided
he resigned his Federal Office
From present outlooks it would seem
thai Mr.. seay will resign his position
with the Federal Government IN favor
&c so,,,e member OF his family. and then
5.eecr for election to the seat in the Board
from clay Ward There IS little doubt
but that he would be elected.