Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-08-22
CITY AT MERCY OF LAWYERS.

It may be rather startling announcement but it is fact nevertheless that the city is at the mercy of the law finn of Alfred Whitcher and on the face of the proceedings it appears that the members of the city council, through either fear, timidity or some invisible force are subselvient to the dctations of these ar rogant and presumtious attorneys. If it does not suit the city attorneys office-and that takes in both Little Nose and Simon-any measure proposed to the city does not go, and is strangled by closely drawn restrictions, or is bluffed completely out of the council cham bers. And all this is in perfect accord with a prediction arrangement, which made if impos- sbe for the aforesaid legal luminaries to lose out. If the democrats were successful, Little Nose was to have the job; if the republicans won out, the name of Simon was to be inscribed on the portfolio. In either event however it to be a partnership job, and the law firm was not to suffer, or one member to profit at the expense of the other. In number of in stances the beauty of this joint holding has been apparent, even to the blind.
 That the work of the city attorneys office is of high-handed order and faithfully repre- sents concentrated effrontery was demonstrated in city council Thursday night, when the com
 
 against the measure), made its report on the railroad right-of-way question. Alderman Rose, fair minded, intelligent and always willing to give hearing to those who are entitled to it, suggested that the railroad representatives be given an opportunity to speak on the report before a vote was taken on it's adoption. Mr. Alfred jumped to his feet almost instantly and informed the acting mayor that no person was 4. that the report had been forwarded to Tucson, where the head officers could look it over. This statement was made in the presence of Mir. Tay Tor, attorney in the office of Mir. Randolp for the railroad and who was here for the purpose of looking after the company $ interests. Mr. Reppy, right-of-way agent whose business it is to look after just such matters, was also present Just why Mir. Rose did not squelch this cheeky little barrister; just why he did not tell him to take his seat, and remain seated until his legal advice was asked the Silver Belt does not know. Mir. Alfred has no more right to butt into the regular run of business of the city council than has the city pound master He IS employed strictly the city's legal adviser and that is where his laborS should commence and terminate. But 1t is not at all uncommon for little Nose to take foremost position in the discussion of questions where law points are not involved, and it goes without saying that he has on numerous occasions influenced the action of council, and it may be- not always in the interest of the city
 The Hunt street car franchise has been held up for six months by the unwarranted restrc- tions wrapped around it by the cty's attorneys.
 A transcontinenta railroad line through Globe, wanting to come, willing to come hesi- tates at the gateway because it is given unfair and unreasonable treatment, and may cut the city out.
 How long will the people of Globe stand for this!
 Do the people realize that the city is now held tightly within the selfish grasp of the law