The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-02-10
Says That He Is Simply FOL-
lowing the Law and Wishes
To End His Service to the
City in a Legal Manner.
COMMON COUNCIL HAS TO
SANCTION APPOINTMENT.
Taggart Says City Ordinance
Specifically States This and
Quotes the LaW-No Feel
ing Against Merrill.

Today City Clerk John F. Taggart
tends his action in refusing to give up
his office until the appointment OF
C. w. Merrill has been confirmed at
regular session of the city council
Mr.. Taggart's statement, which is
self explanatory. follows:
To the Citizens of Richmond:
In addressing this communication to
the people of this city, 1t is my desire
to simply state the facts with refer
ence to my resignation as city clerk
and the appointment of my successor:
The facts in the case are as follows:
My resignation was presented in the
following words:
To the Mayor and Common Council
of the City of Richmond:
Gentlemen:
| herewith tender my resignation as
city clerk for the city Of Richmond,
and request that the same receive i'm
mediate consideration.
In the rendering of my resignation,
desire to say that | have the kindest
feelings for every person connected
with the administration of city affairs.
and also wish to express my sincere
thanks to every city official and en-
ploye for the many courtesies extend
ed to ME while acting in the capacity
of your clerk.
JOHN F. TAGGART,
City Clerk.
Mr.. Leftwick then moved that the
resignation Of Mr.. Taggart be accept
, ed when his successor is properly APP
pointed and qualified. This motion
prevailed.
The following resolution was then
| unanimously adopted:
Resolved that the thanks of this
| council are due. and are hereby tend
cred to the retiring City Clerk John F.
| Taggart, for the uniform courtesy and
efficiency with which he has admins
tered his office during his incumbency
| thereof, and that the best wishes of
council for his future welfare are here
| by extended to him
The above is the action of the coun-
Gil in the matter. On the Wednesday
| IL,
special meeting of the council was
called, land l might add in direct vio-
lation of the rules of the common
counciD at this meeting an effort was
made by those interested in the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Merrill, to have the
appointment Of Mr.. Merrill approved.
This the council would not do, but on
the contrary adopted a resolution de-
laying the matter until the next reg
| ular meeting of the council.
If those interested in the appoint
ment of Mr. Merrill did not think, and
in fact know that before my success
or could assume the office the appro-
val of the common council was a nee
this special meeting?
The day following the meeting
above referred to, Mr.. Merrill came
! to my office and informed me that
he had been appointed my succe ssor,
and that as soon as he could arrange
for and procure the necessary bond,
he would demand the office. | then
asked him If the council had approved
his appointment He informed me
that they had not, but that they would.
then informed him that as soon as
the council approved his or anybody
else's appointment as my successor, l
was ready and perfectly willing to de-
liver the office, but until that action
was taken | certainly would not relin-
quish the office.
The following Saturday morning.
Mr.. Merrill again appeared and in
| formed me that he had filed his bond
and demanded the office, | again in
formed him that 1 did not consider
him as properly appointed and would
not therefore deliver to him the office.
Now my actions have been govern.
ed entirely according to the statute
governing such matters which reads
as follows: Section As Of the Acts of
1905: In the event of a vacancy oc-
curing in An elective office of any city.
except the office of mayor or council.
man. by reason of death, resignation
or other cause, or in case of the dis