The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-02-06
MERRILL WILL
Be THE NEXT CITY
CLERK OF RICHMOND
Although His Appointment
Was Apparently DiSIiked by
Council. in Special Session
1t Will Accept Him.
TOOK PAINS TO DRAW
UP RESOLUTIONS.
Members Desired in Some
tangible Way to Show to
That They Desired RepubIi-
can Instead of Democrat.
MERRILL SWORN TODAY.
AS SOON AS HE MAKES ARRANGE
MENTS WITH BONDING CON-
PANY HE WILL TAKE CHARGE
OF CLERKS OFFICE.
RECOGNITION COMES SOON.
At the Next Meeting of Council. Mer-
rill Will Receive the Crown at
The Hands of the City Fathers
Tassart Is Not Clerk.

Although council at a special meet
ing held last evening refused TO con
firm the appointment of Clinord W.
Merrill as successor to John +. Tag
gart, city clerk and adopted a resolu-
ton presented by Councilman Deuker
To the effect that a Republican should
be appointed to fill the vacancy. this
action on the part of council was for
the sole purpose of placing the city Ia
theirs on record as being opposed 10
the appointment of a Democrat as city
clerk. After adopting the Deuker res
olution council adjourned to consider
the appointment of Merrill at the next
regular session, at which time Mer-
rill's appointment will be confirmed.
Knowing that council will take this
action at its next meeting. Mr.. Merrill
was today sworn in as city clerk and
as soon as he makes arrangements
with a bonding company TO furnish his
bond he will assume his new Office. Mr.
AerTill will not tender his resignation
as member of the board of public
works until council has confirmed his
dBIolu tuitHl dS tilS tltIk-
City Attorney T. J. Study states that
Taggart is no longer city clerk. not
withstanding the fact that when he
rendered his resignation il was with
the understanding that he would MI
retire from Office until his successor
had been appointed and the appoint
ment confirmed by the council. He
When Merrill informed Taggart this
morning that he intended assuming
the duties of city clerk as soon as he
secured his bond. Taggart replied Go
ahead and do it if you can" 1t is prob
able that Taggart will refuse To give
up his Office until McrrilTs appoint
ment has been confirmed by council. in
which event it is not known what
action Mr Merrill will take
At the council meeting last evening
+ the following resolution was presented
by Council Deuker:
Resolved by the common council Of
the city of Richmond that a vacancy
having occurred in the Office of citv
clerk by the resignation of John F.
Taggart. ii is the sense of this council
that a Republican ought TO be appoinc-
cd 10 fill the vacancy thus caused. for
the reason that Mr.. Taggart was elect
cd to the Office by the Republicans OF
this city. as was also his honor the
mayor, as it is well known and under
stood
Now that vacancy has occurred in
such Office. which by right belongs 10
the Republicans of the city. advantage
ought not TO BE- taken of the condition
which exists whereby the mayor hae
the appointing power under the law 10
fill the Office with an app0intee Of diff
ferent politics.
The council does not wish to be
understood as making any objection 10
the man who may or will receive the
appointment, which is personal, but 20
express our sense Of the prOprieties
and the matter Of political and alb
stract justice. as above indicated
/ After this resolution had been read
. by Acting Clerk Otto Williams and
adopted. Councilman Won Pein made
motion to adjourn and consider the
matter further at the next council
meeting. Mr. Merrill. IN the mean
/ time. acting as city clerk Mr.. Study
! arose to explain that Mr. Merrill could
| not act in this capacity. but he was
! interrupted by Councilman Bartel. who
arose to a point Of order. Council then
voted TO adjourn.
After this action had been taken
/ Councilmen Won Pein. Deuker, Nc
Aahan Leftwick. and Englebert
| spoke. Their remarks were TO the ef~
feet that they had nothing personal
| aga inst Mr.. Merrill. in fact they
| thought that he would make a good
! clerk. but that il was unjust for the
mayor 10 appoint Merrill or any othef
/ Democrat.
/ Mr.. Englebert said that az the last
municipal election the Democrats had
! entered into an agreement with ths