The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-18
ELECTION CONsIDeREDLEGAL
A Review Of the Situation, and Causes
Thst Aotuatsd the Republicans In
EIectins o New Police Com.
mission for Astoria.
Astoria, Dec. II.

Prael. and II. v. Jones. the newly elec-
ted police commissioners. appeared
before the auditor and police Judge,
olof Anderson. and requested him to
take their oaths OF Office. and issue to
them certificates OF election. The au-
ditor, refused TO administer the oath,
and refused TO issue the commissions,
because forsooth, the city attorney
told him not 10 do 30. OF course the
motive OF the city attorney, as well as
of the auditor. is well understood
their political welfare depends en-
tIrely upon the maintaInance of the
present police force. not only that the
very existence OF the democratic
sometimes called "citizens" party is
dependent upon It. Remove this
force. and the democratic party. and
it's quondam friend citizen" dissolves
In thin air. Let the people OF Astoria
consider this question. regardless OF
fractional feeling, let us throw aside
the question as 10 what people ought
OF right control the republican party,
and discuss this question fairly and
honestly.
That the city charter, expressly pro"
vides for the election and maintain
ance OF three police commissioners
whose duties are 20 have control OF
the police force OF the city, and en-
force and order. and the ordinances
OF the city is not to be disputed. That
there is not and has not been a police
commission for a number OF years Is
equally true. Who Is to blame for
this? Ii the republican party? or Is
the democratic party? The charter
provides, that all vacanies caused by
the resignation OF any official OF the
city, shall be filled. II police COM
missioner. by the mayor with the con-
sent OF a majority Of the council. and
shall hold Office until the next general
election. II any reader Of this paper
doubts this statement, let him ex-
anime. sections 81. 2s and 1877 of the
charter. Mr. S. S. Gordon, against
whom there can be said no evil, was
appointed by the mayor, and council
to fll vacancy caused by the resig-
nation of John Kopp; this appoint
ment was made prior to the general
city election for the year 1902; his
term OF Office expired, II the charter IL
To be followed, at the general election
held IN this city In December, l. But
were the people allowed to select his
successor? Did the council call for
the election OF commissioner to fill
this vacancy? not any. W. J. Cook
has been absent from this city, for
many years, he with mis- family has
taken up his residence outside Of the
county. This has been for years, W. II.
Barker has likewise removed from the
city. and with his family Is now living
nj Vancouver, B. C. Yet no sound
comes from the common council. why
all this? The answer is plain. by the
aid OF the police force OF this city a
OF the common council are
that taken with the fact
that the city attorney is also demo-
cratic. or citizen, as best suits his pur-
pose Is all sufficient.
The people are considering these
questions. No city will long submit
10 have It's politics controlled by a
police force. yet such is the case right
here in this city and that, too, in the
ace OF the charter, requiring this force
o be under the control Of police
commission comprised OF three elect
,rs of this state, each of whom is re-
lulred to be resident and taxpayer |
Il this city.
While the methods adopted by a few
epublicans may not have been the
'est, neither the democrats nor the
itizens have an right to complain, for
7 the position taken by these republic
ms is correct, the shame and disgrace.
nd blame of It all rests upon the
houlders of the democratic party, and
Is offspring citizens, IL the law is
gainst the contention Of these people
hen no harm can come of it, and they
re to blame But II 1t should turn out
hat they are correct, then what pos
lble excuse have the emocratic-citi-
ems to offer, for this deliberate usur-
alton of power. 1t is up to the COM
ION council to do It's duty regardless
( party or small politics; the people
re now awake, they propose to have
police commission, and If 1t is not
lven them by the council, the courts
i'll surely be appealed to, and the out
pme seems to be with the people.
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