St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1905-09-13
AN OPEN LETTER.
Members Of City Council Should
Heed These Remarks.
Mr.. MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN:

Mr.. MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN:
We write this with the belief ano
understanding that each and all oi
you are conservative men and thai
all are anxious TO continue St
Johns as a growing municipality
We are farther filled with the idea
that you have been handicapped by
charter whose limitations are sc
wonderful and fierce as 10 provoke
laughter from those who carefully
read il.
You-each and every one OF you
were chosen to the Office you nov
fill by the voters of this town. 1t is
true that some votes were cas-
against you-a most natural condl'
ton: but having been elected it /:
understood that all previous differ
ences were dropped: that everyone
desired you to do what was best fol
the progress and government of the
city.
Until the matter of Mr.. Edwards
resignation came to the front there
was a spirit of unanimity at each
meeting Of your body; and the city
throve as it should. As soon as his
resignation was filed a pressure was
brought to bear upon him to cause
him to attempt its withdrawal. As
to the legality Of the acts imme-
diately following we are saying
nothing. II he had the legal right
to personally vote upon a matter in
which he was so intensely interested
or whether common courtesy
would allow him to vote upon a
measure where he was vitally con-
cerned--is not for us to say at this
time. That he had the inherent
right to withdraw his legislation
from a community he was about to
leave is patent to all: and that is a
point we desire TO emphasize.
Mr.. Edwards has stated at various
times that he wished to withdraw.
One of his close friends has verified
the assertion but added He is
being forced into this fight by
several who have inhuenceH Mr..
Edwards has told us at divers times
that he intended to resign as he was
to move away. And yet, through
some semi-hidden influence lie is
kept upon the teeter-board against
his wishes, to the detriment of
himself and to the blockading Of all
city legislation
You will bear in mind, gentlemen,
we are not presuming to dictate
nor to cite points Of law for or
against the legal aspect of whether
or not Mr.. Edwards is a member Of
your council. II is merely the right
of Mr.. Edwards to withdraw from
a body Of lawmakers to which we
refer, Upon this point Il seems
there can be no weighty contro-
versy. Were he under bonds his
would have to have the
consent Of his bondsmen before he
could rclinquiSh his oitice-but this
does not exist. So far as
his desire to withdraw is concerned
Mr.. Edwards Is his own master
but for his actions in delaying any
legislation he is answerable to every
one of his constituents and To the
whole city OF ST. Johns, lie cannot
be forced 10 hold his position II he
sees III To do otherwise no power
OH earth can force from him his /
AYE" or may"
In view OF all surrounding condi, |
lions We would ask YOU, gentlemen
Di the council, would Il not be better
10 drop all attempts to keep him
where he does not seek to remain
md 10 elect a successor who would
promptly qualify: thus allowing city
business 10 be legally conductedl
The one reason for this insistance
'f his remaining is to "have him
'xonerated J." Exonerated OF what
)i selling his property Ot being
II business in Albinal OF present
ny his resignation to the council2
Dr. WHAT There is no charge
gainSi him-save that he. himself,
lesires To be released from his duties
5 councilman and from that is il
ecesSary To 'exonerate' himl
In all honesty, we believe that
ome OF the members of your council
re crlppllng the city because OF the
resent blockade. There can be no
rgument over this assertion: the
pinion is unanimous. Mr.. Edwards
hould be allowed the right of his
esire to withdraw, aud a successor
hosen immediately.
NomatteT who the man may be, let
i'm qualify and let the council do Y
isineSs. Such a course will be
leaper financially, socially, NOR u
ly-than 10 use the courts: and b
Ill be much quicker. Will You do II