Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-24
CENSURE DELEGATES
Takoma Park Voters Resent
Loss of Two Blocks.
LEGISLATURE CONDEMNED
Nominations for Mayor and Four
Members Of Council ArosMade
at Meeting.

The Montgomery county delegation in
the Maryland legislature was strongly
condemned for its recent action in con-
nection with the passage Of the law
eliminating blocks 81 and IS of the town
of Takoma Park. Nd, at the political
caucus held last night in Takoma Park
The caucus was called for the purpose
Of nominating mayor and four council
men to be elected May 2. Three of the
councilmen are to serve for two years
and the remaining member one year.
The latter nomination was made neces-
sary by reason Of the resignation of
John H. Saunders. for the last year a
member Of the council and resident OF
the section which was removed from
the town. The new law practically
legislating him out Of office, he resigned.
1t was after the nominations had
been made that the ball was started
rolling: Up to that time everything
went along peacefully Members of the
council appointed to represent the town
at a hearing at Annapolis before the
Montgomery county delegates were
called upon to make a report
The resolution disappearing the
ture was to the effect that "it is the
unanimous sense Of the voters Of the
town OF Takoma Park, assembled in
meeting, that the action OF the Mary
land legislature and Of the delegation
to the legislature from Montgomery
county agreeing to the alteration OF the
boundaries of the town at the request
of a few parties and without paying
heed to the voice and protests of the
representatives Of the town at large
ing, is emphatically disapproved.
Mayor Is Renominated.
The meeting was called to order at 8
o'clock. Ben G. Davis was elected chair
man and James o. Macallister secre-
tary. w. w. Dyar. corporation counsel,
nominated Wilmer G. Plat, the present
mayor, for another term. There were nc
other nominations. w. A. Kroll NOM
mated H F. Taft for two-year term coun-
Gilman, ]. B. Derrick named r. D. Rush
and Homer Guerry nominated L. R. Gra-
bill. All three Of the candidates are mem
bers of the present council. H. Van
Houten nominated S. W. Williams to
serve one year.
Then followed a complete history OF
the secession Of blocks 81 and IS in
the town, and the conditions which led
up to it. The discussion lasted a couple
of hours, and, incidentally, the name OF
J. H. Sanders crept into the discussion
it being suggested that he also be
nominated for councilman.
Mayor Platt jumped to his feet. He
said that there had been a suggestion at
the last meeting to Mr.. Saunders that in
asmuch as Gov. Crothers had signed the
bill removing the two blocks from the
town, and that as he (Saunders) resided
in one of them. and represented that dis
trict, in order not to cause any legal
complications in connection with the pass
age of important ordinances which were
about to be passed, he should resign.
Mr. Saunders accepted the suggestion and
announced at the meeting that he rendered
his resignation, which was accepted with
regret by the council. 1t was also stated
that when it was suggested that the res
ignation be in writing he promised he
would send 1t to Town Clerk Ben G..
Davis in a few days. Mayor Platt said
he reconsidered his action and did not
send 1t in in writing. Instead he sought
legal advice and was told not to rAsign.
Resignation Must Stand.
The voters. after hearing the status
of the case from the mayor and several
members of the council, decided that as
Mr. Saunders had rendered his resiena-
ton and it had been accepted, he was
not eligible to reinstatement on the coun-
o,I a,I oo,,Jd mt ha noYntnofod