Albuquerque morning journal., 1910-12-30
Recount of Ballots in District
Court Shows EeleCtion Of DR.,
John W, Elder by Majority Of
One Vote,
NEW INCUMBENT TAKES
OATH OF OFFICE AT ONCE
Special Meeting Of City Council
Passes Resolutions Laudlng
Retiring Executive for Splen-
did Work Accomplished,

dld WORK Accomplished, \
pr John w Elder Is mayor Of AL
buquerque. Following the decision
reached in the district court yestsr-
day morning as the result OF the re-
count Of the ballots cast for mayor in
the mayoralty election last april,
Mayor Felix III. Lester, who has held
the office since last spring, pending
Il final disposition OF the contest,
called special meeting of the city
council at o'clock last evening and
formally turned over the chair TO Or.
Elder.
The special meeting was called by
Mayor Lester late yesterday after
noon, after IL had been definitely
decided that Mr.. Elder was entitled to
be seated az mayor, the recount COM
pleted at noon yesterday showing that
a total OF 102i votes We're cast for
Lester and 1,022 cast for Elder.
Promptly al o'clock last evening
Mayor Lester called the council to
order, with Aldermen Auge, coen,
Clarke, ConroN sherwood, Reidy and
Wroth present, Alderman Thomas
being absent from the city.
Briefly Mr.. Lester stated to the
council the purpose OF the meeting,
saying In part
"Gentlemen, as you are doubtless
all aware. MIR, Cider, the republican
candidate for mayor al the last cleo
Ition, has been declared entitled TO the
office as the result OF the recount
of the ballots I believe everybody
knows that | have always been per-
fectly willing TO have a recount Of
the ballots and 10 have the office of
mayor 20 10 the men who received
the most votes. The other side to the
controversy. however was not willing
to accept our proposition for a re-
count at the time of election and we
were compelled to bring an action in
the lower court TO determine our
rights In the matter The district
court upheld our contentious, but
the controversy was taken to the SUI
preme court on an appeal. The SUI
preme court affirmed the decision of
the lower court In the principles in-
volved, but remanded II for n re-
hearing on certain technicalities. Re-
Gently, however. the contestants
agreed among themselves to recount
the ballots, which was what we re-
quested In our first legal step. This,
as You all know, was done today and
Or Elder was declared elected on the
face of the returns, clearly emitting
him TO the office of mayor,
And before turning over the office
to DR. Elder, | wish TO thank all you
gentlemen for the courtesy, consid-
GRAFTON and assistance which you have
extended to me during my term. You
have all worked diligently, faithfully
and conscientiously. and ! assure you
that | appreciate It highly.
And | bespeak for the incoming
mayor the same courtesy considera-
tion and assistance watch you have
given me. / now take pleasure in
turning over the office 70 DR..
Elder"
DR. elder. TO whom a certificate OF
election had been issued previously
by city Clerk J. b. McManus and
who had been sworn into office few
moments before By Probate Clerk A.
u. Walker. then formally took the
chair and picked up the gaYel which
the retiring mayor had just laid
down
Before Dr. Elder made any state
ment, DR. J II. Wroth secured the
floor and paid a high compliment to
Mr. Lester and his work as mayor.
DR.. Wroth concluded by making
motion. which WAS carried unan-
imously. that there shall be spread
on the minutes OF the city council Of
a proper resolution, eX-
did work done by Mr.. Lester.
Or. Wroth said IN part
"Mr Mayor aud Gentlemen of the
Council. | desire on behalf OF the
council and of myself, to express AT
This time our appreciation OF the
work that hns been done by our re-
firing mayor, Mr. Eester. Mr.. Lester
has said that he always received from
he council courtesy consideration
md appreciation As member of
he council for three wears, l believe
hat I voice the sentiment OF all the
aldermen when | return the compli-
nent and say that we have always
md AZ all times received from Mr..
lester every courtesy. consideration.
md assistance. We have differed
With him from time 10 time. but on
very occasion he has always consid- !
rod our differences patiently and
With consideration and with an earn
st and conscientious effort to see
he other side of the question. And
II Is permissible and agreeable TO
ou. Mr. Mayor and gentlemen of the
ouncil. / make a motion that there
,e spread on the recorS Of the coun-
in a resolution indicating our re-
poet and appreciation for the uni
orm and successful work done by Mr..
ester during his term Of office"
Mr. Lester seated on the bench re-
erved for the spectators at council
neeflngs. arose and simply said, Il
hank you Or. Wroth."
Mayor Elder than put Or. Wroths
notion before the council and IL car
led unanimously The new mayor
hen addressed the council briefly.
lying that he was much IA the same
Continued ON Page 0. Column 81