The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1908-05-07
OBJECTS TO ECKERSON
Lawyer Says That He Is Not
ELIGIBLE to Act on Council.
Eckerson Tenders His Resignation

Attorney Sherlock created sensation
at the meeting of the city council on
Tuesday night, when, after the vote on
the second reading of the ordinance
granting the Idaho & Washington North
ern Railroad franchise over certain
streets was finished, he arose and asked
permission to address the council.
He said that he would object to the
legality of the ordinance or any other
ordinance passed by the council on the
ground that one of the parties voting
for the passage of the same was not
resident of Newport, but resided outside
of the state.
The remark brought Councilman
Eckerson to his feet. He said that he
understood that the remark was di-
rected at him, and that he desired to
explain h@ position. He claimed that
he was at Spirit Lake temporarily only,
that he t1n:,intaint-4 IA room in his house
in this city that was furnished, and that
he occupied it whenever in this city.
While it was true that his wife was
living with him at Spirit Lake, they
still claimed this place as their home.
He had invested in real estate in the
new town and was improving the same
by constructing several houses. He
could not tell when he would return to
Newport, but would probably return be-
fore winter. He was doing large share
of the work of building the houses him
self.
MIR. Sherlock then quoted the law re-
garding the residence of officials, and
maintained that Eckerson had forfeited
his right to the Office by removing to
the Idaho city. He thought that Mr.
Eckerson should, in justice to the citi-
zens of Newport, who elected him to
office, resign from the position. He
claimed that Spirit Lake was dominated
by the railroad company, and that in
t1uences might be brought to bear on
officers of this city who resided in that
place.
This statement brought Mr.. J. c. H.
Reynolds. of the Idaho K Washington
Northern, into the game He resented
the statement of Mr.. Sherlock that the
railroad dominated the town of Spirit
Lake, and stated that the company had
nothing whatever to do with the town.
but that the town site was owned bv
Mr.. F. \. Blackwell.
MIR. Sherlock again stated that it was
an open and notorious fact that Mr..
Eckerson had taken up his residence in
Spirit Lake, and again called upon Mr..
Eckerson to resign. The latter gentle
man again explained his position, and
stated that he had talked with a number
of his constituents and members of the
council previous to going to Spirit Lake,
and they had all advised him to retain
his office. His attorney had also in
formed him that he would not lose his
office by removing there during the
period that was necessary for him to
construct his buildings. However, he
would withdraw his vote on the first
and second reading OF the railroad ordi-
nance, as he did not desire to do any
thing that would cause a question of the
legality OF the ordinance to arise
He also rendered his resignation as
councilman, and asked the mayor to
have vote taken on its acceptance
The mayor said that he was sorry
that the question had arisen, but that
he had considered it several times as
parties had spoken of the matter of Mr..
Eckerson acting as councilman. He
considered the gentleman one of the
strongest members of the council, and
would be glad to retain his services if
they could be retained legally.
The clerk was instructed to call the