Evening journal., 1910-07-14
REPUBLICANS MAY
TAKE ACTION
CONTINUED from First Pagel

lawyers udu wrong impression.
Part of the opinion of the New
York lawyers is based upon mistaken
PREMISE and in all probability some
of the Republican Councilmen will
put the proposition up to the New
York firm. In their opinion Hawkins,
Delafeld and Longfellow say
"eW also understand that the mem
bers of the Council elected in 1907
have filed a resignation, so as to pre-
vent their being considered in Office
as hold-overs."
AS a matter of fact the Republicans
have not resigned. They merely Offer
ed to resign to assist in carrying out
their proposition for restoring a legal
government that was made the middle
of une. Whether the New York law
yers would have reached some other
conclusion had they known that the
Republicans had not resigned is an
important question, and it is alto
gether likely that the Republicans
comprising the last administration
will ask the New York firm for their
opinion under the conditions as they
actually exist. Just who told the New
York lawyers that the Republican de
lure officials had resigned is not
known 1t is contended by some per-
sons that the fact that the Republi-
cans did not resign changes the legal
situation entirely regarding the status
of the government.
There was much speculation to
| day as to whether Governor Penne-
will would call a SPECIAL session of
! the Legislature, now that Council
has requested a special session.
There is a sentiment that there
! should be no special session, with
! its consequent expense upon the
State, IL the situation can be clear
ed up by City Council. Governor
! Pennewill yesterday said there would
! be no special session unless he was
convinced that every other method of
giving the city a valid government
had been exhausted. The Governor
said he would consult competent le-
gal authorities about the subject, and
It is thought he will confer with the
State Judiciary about It. An impress
sion seems to prevail that Governor
Pennewill will not call a special ses-
sion with its expense Of from $4,000
to $4,000.
State Senator S. E. Reed is dead
and Senator W. H. Miller, of the
Third district. of this county has re-
moved from the district. making two
vacancies in the Senate II would
not be necessary to fll these vacans
cies before the Legislature could con-
vene. however.
The statement was made yesterday
In thees columns that Mayor Spru-
ance had married thirty couples since
June Z, the day of the courts decision
This is wrong. About seven mar
riages have been performed by the
Mayor and President Of Council since
then, and not thirty as stated.
Mayor Wants Special Session.
Mayor j. Harvey Spruance in an
interview today relative to the action
of the Republican members of City
! Council last night in voting against
the resolution requesting the COVER.
nor to call a special session of tbs
Legislature said he was much sur
prised as we'll as disappointed thai
they acted as they had. IF they are
so anxious to straighten out the mud.
die" said the mayor. Il can't see why
they did not vote for the resolution.
ITO my mind the action taken by
Council last night in requesting the
governor to call the special session
of the Legislature is the only course
TO pursue. II the proposition of the
former city officials to resign one by
one and elect the present officials e
the offices they hold will legally rem
edy the existing condition, the COVER
nor will be able Ito get an opinion
from the judges on this phase of the
question quicker than we could by
taking the case to court and arguing
il there
Il would never feel satisfied TO ac-
cept an office from person who in
my opinion has no legal claim to the
Office and I would hesitate more than
ever about performing the duties of
my office.
"The Republicans think one way
and we another, and to settle the