The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1909-03-13
Los Angeles Mayor There
upon Attempts to Throw
Choice of Successor To
Hands of Friends.
RESIGNATION Is RESULT OF
THREAT TO PUBLISH OFFICIAL
AND PRIVATE RECORD Of
HARPER-POLITI TURMOIL

LOS ANGELES, March IA re-
markable situation in the city gov
ernment has arisen through the res
ignation of Mayor Harper His res
ignation is understood to have been
forced by a threat of publication of
his official and private record.
Some time ago, owing to the
charges against Harper, the recall
feature of the city charter was in
yoked and a special election called
to choose a successor to him. This
special election is to be held in two
weeks.
The faction supporting Harper
claims that his resignation has now
vitiated the recall election and that
the city council is empowered to
choose his successor. 1t is stated
that following the resignation of
Mayor Harper, Chief of Police Broad
head and all members of the police
commission will also resign, this as
result of conditions extant in the
red light district.
George Alexander, candidate of the
recall element, stands practically un-
opposed on the official ballot, except
ing for socialist candidate. The
supporters of Alexander claim that
the resignation of Harper in no wise
affects the recall election. Owing to
the legal complications the situation
is very confusing and has created a
great uproar in political circles of
the city.
For several months two of the
leading newspapers of this city have
been publishing articles alleging that
Mayor Harper has permitted vice of
all kinds to be protected In this city,
and that his own official and private
acts have not been above reproach.
An unsuccessful attempt was made
by Thomas Lee Woolwine, a former
assistant city attorney, to bring be-
fore the grand jury of the county,
specific charges of grating and mis-
conduct against the mayor.
Following the resignation, which
was presented to the city clerk, there
appeared in an extra edition of an
afternoon paper a letter to the man
ager, in which the mayor said;
"In fulfillment of my obligation,
entered into with you, when | prom
ised to withdraw my name from the
ballot In the present recall election
whenever you demanded that l
should do so, | hereby notify you
that in compliance with your demand.
made this day, | have requested the
county clerk to withdraw my name
from the ballot"
In explanation of its action in max
ing the demand for his withdrawal
upon the mayor, the paper asserts
that 'the reasons that it has taken
this drastic action are unpublisha-
ble," and 1t did so in order to safe
guard the people of Los Angeles to
the approaching election, after
searching Mayor Harper's official and
private record.
Further. the paper says, disclos-
ures have been made which are In no
way connected with the alleged dis
closures of the grand jury. The
grand jury in its final report. had
scored Mayor Harper for alleged acts
of indiscretion and cited several in
stances of alleged offensive actions,
but as a private citizen and in his Ca
pacity of mayor, but no indictment
was found against him and no action
taken by the district attorney con-
cerning the work of the grand jury.
1t is the mayors contention to-
night that his resignation at this
time makes the calling of the recall
election null and void. and that the
power to name his successor to fill
out his unexpired term lies with the
council of the city, which will meet
tomorrow for that purpose. Attor-
neys disagree on this point
Mayor Harper was elected on the
Democratic ticket in a three cornered
contest, for a term of three years,
and has served two years and three
months.