The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-09-22
For Settlement of Case Of
Alderman D'Alemberte,
Which Is Now
In Court.
PROPOSES THAT MATTER BE
SUBMITTED TO VOTERS OF PRE-.
CINCT IL IN A PRIMARY ELEC-
TON AND BE SETTLED BY
THEM.


berte's tenure of Office has been de-
layed until December, or perhaps lat
er, for settlement. l will explain why
regret the delay and suggest more
expeditions plan for an earlier settle
ment which will be just. and fair to
all parties alike.
1t is known to very few but now
say publicly that it took much EFFORT
OH my part and on the part OF others
to prevent this question being sprung
a few months ago when its agitation
would have certainly proved disas-
trous to the interests OF the city. Al
though the acts of Alderman DAlem-
berte would bind the city and could
not affect the legality of the city
bonds, even though it be held he was
holding Office illegally, yet an agitation
of the subject and declaration OF one
of the city daily papers to the con-
trary would undoubtedly had the Ell
feet of lessening the number OF bids
for the bonds and materially lessened
the desirablity of the issue, and the
certain result would have been real
ization of thousands of dollars less if
the bonds were sold at all, The Daily
News was determined to raise the
question at the time the bond sale
was advertised, claiming the city had
no moral right to sell illegal bonds to
innocent purchasers, but was finally
prevailed upon to not do SO in the
best interests Of the city.
In a short time the city will want
to sell the remaining $450,000 bonds
and the agitation of this question can
not possibly have any effect except y
bad one. Therefore the matter should
be settled with the least possible de-
lay.
Now the question of regarding the
seat of Alderman D'Alemberte is a
technical one and one which the courts
may settle one way or another
The matter Is to be submitted to a
jury and the decision of the jury will
depend almost entirely upon their
mental makeup and their favorable
ness Or unfavorablenness to Alder
man D'Alemberte., The question is
purely technical and may be decided
one way Just as easy as the other.
Undoubtedly the attorneys on both
sides will cite cases where the ques-
ton has been decided both ways. It
is a resident of precinct u so long
as he claims that as his fixed home.
On the other hand it will be shown
that he docs. not live there's So the
responsibility Of the decision will rest
entirely upon the Individual construc-
tion of the jury and no living man
could be. certain. what that will be.
And the question is SO purely techi-
cal that 1t is very probable the jury
will disagree which will be mis-
trial and make further delay.
Now l desire to propose plan of
settlement that will be both expedi-
tious and fair. The office held by
Mr.. D'Alemberte is one or honor.
There Is no salary attached to it and
all the remuneration he receives Is
| the good will of his constituents. If
| his constituents do not want him to
represent them then there is nothing
| in the office for him. No gentleman
would insist on holding an honorary
office after IL those who gave 1t to
him asked for his resignation. Now,
| the plan / propose Is for Mr.. D'Alem-
berte to submit the question OF his
resignation to the voters Of precinct
10, and if they vote for him to re-
sign he should do so at once. and If
they vote for him to continue in of
fee then his opponents should forever
hold their peace.
The opposition 10 Mr.. DAlemberte
comes from two sources. First, a
large number are opposed to their rep
resentative living out of his district
This, however, is the minor objection,
The other is they are dissatisfied with
his record as an alderman. II how
ever, the objections come from the
minority they should go unheeded, but
If from a majority then they should be
respected, for majority rule is the
just law of democracy.
Both the friends and opponents OF
Alderman D,Alemberte should be glad
to submit this question to the voters,
and forever settle this detrimental
question. A number of voters will
cheerfully bear the nominal expense
of the election. l would suggest that
Alderman D'Alemberte appoint com
mittee to meet committee appointed
by Mr.. Andrews and his associates
and arrange for the holding OF the
election, giving the voters two weeks
notice, and agreeing the matter will be
finally settled and forever dropped &C
cording to the results of the election
The question to be submitted would
be a simple one: Should Alderman
D'Alemberte resign from the city
council? Put cross before your vote
Yes.
No.
I wish TO again impress upon the
public the potent fact that the questio-
is purely technical and at present
status Is to be left to the decision OF
the votes of tweleve men who will de
eide 1t (if at alb according to their
ideas whereas my plan is to leave
the same question to the decision OF
the entire constituency OF precinct
i12.
/ suggest this plan purely In, the
interest of the entire city and the
friends on both sides are virtually In
terested in our prosperity and viii
do we'll to agree upon this plan al
the earliest possible moment. Very
IreSDactflIlly cuhmitfod