Evening journal., 1910-07-15
REPUBLICANS
TO FILL PLACES
Men Elected in 1907 Decide
to Elect Formally the
Present Administration
DEMOCRATS MAY
BALK, HOWEVER

The Republican members OF the /
city administration that went out OF
Office IN July. 1909. held a conference |
yesterday afternoon and decided TO go
ahead and put through their proposed
plan 60 give Wilmington a legal gov
ernment The officials who retired
I'm 1909. along with those returned
as reelected at the June election.
1909. which election was Illegal, are
contended to be the only men who
have a rightful claim upon the city
offices as hold-overs, since the last
election was upset by the courts de-
clsion of June T. The Democrats
claim that the men elected in June.
1907. were elected for a term of two
years only. but Robert G.. Harman,
Democrat and former city solicitor.
and Robert II. Richards, Republican
and counsel In the election contest
cases. claim that the men were elect
ed for two years or until their sue
cessors were elected" There is no
provision In the providing for an cleo
tion until their successors are elect
ed, but the claim is made that under
the common law this can be read into
the city charter, and that there are
numerous court decisions to that eff
feet AS no successors could be
elected at the Illegal election OF 1909,
Il is contended that the men who sur
rendered Office on July !, 1909. and
the men who We're returned as re-
elected then are the only ones hay-
Ing legal right TO the offices az
present
The Republicans will go ahead with
their proposition as made in the mid
die of June TO the Democrats In Coun-
Gil and rejected by the latter n is
proposed that all the dc iure officials
Chose elected In June, 1907 hold a
meeting and resign one by one and
then elect formally 60 the vacancies
the men returned as elected in June,
1909
Plan Contemplated.
The plan Is 10 elect a successor 10
n former Councilman William p. White
u first. Mr. White has moved out OF the
Eighth ward he represented I'm Cts
Council, so to have the body intact L
will be necessary to have his ware
represented. This successor woul,
therefore be Norman Downs. the Re
publican Councilman. who was electe
la Juner 3 909 The next procedure VII
be for former Mayor Horace Wilson {
tender his resignation His successo
I'd would then be selected Or. J. Harve
n Spruance, according TO the agreement
ln Former President OF City Council
a william G. Taylor would then resig
ip and James l.. Banning would be elect
W. ed to succeed him The City Council
T. men would then resign. according 4
~ the order of the ward they represen
a. and their successors would be elected
I'd the mon who succeeded them in June
ar 1909, being chosen ia their place. Th'
DO Councilmen who succeeded them
b. selves would not have TO resign.
s. When the Republican de jure Off
cials, from former Mayor Horace VII
p- son down, made this proposition II
a June 10 the Democrats I'm Council. The
e. necessary designations. resolutions
lf etc, to put through the procedure haS
le been drawn by Mr. Harman and Mr.
g. Richards and everything was ready
But the Democrats rejected the plan
and are trying to make political CAPT
D. tai by calling for a special session o.
lt the Legislature that would entail an
le expense OF from $4,000 to $4,000.
c. Would Remedy Situation.
IN The above plan Is outlined wouls
IA give Wilmington a valid government
te It Is believed, from the time Council
pr should take the action OF formal.
IN electing the present administration
el That would leave a period from June
TO the time the plan shall be consum
Mt mated during which Wilmington hal
re not had a legal government The mex
70 Legislature IN January 1911, coul'
/ make valid the acts of the "usurper
cd government during this interim, AM
the State would be spared the eXpens
IS OF an extra session Of the Legislature
After the de iure Council had elect
u ed a valid administration-com mprisin
ed the men now holding the offices with
ne out legal right-arrangements coul
be made for another bond issue q
ed 100000 for street improvements, an
er other details of government that no'
a cannot be performed legally could b
carried on as usual
as Time Not Fixed Yet.
IL Just when the Republican de jur
IN Councilmen will meet is not knowr
er but Il probably will be within a FEY
ad days The present Democratic admin
ht istration Is expected to balk at thi
r. Republican plan. Many conference
Of Democratic lawyers have been hel
daily TO advise the Democratic admin
ol- istration These Democratic lawyer
ng do not agree with the conclusion
nd reached by Mr. Harman. On the 9th
2, er hand leading Republican lawyer
think the plan outlined by Mr.. Har
lid man and Mr.. Richards will solve Oh
Ise situation satisfactorily. and the nez
Legislature can take action TO val
re. date the acts Of the administratio
ne during that period In which the cit
'ut government has been Illegal
GU Democratic Scheme.
Back OF the Democratic manoeuvei
ny ing Is said to be a scheme 10 try
ey have the Legislature IN special sel
sion 20 declare valid the last cit
n election and the acts of the Admin
MS istration since July 1, 1903. Shoul
Ter such action be taken by the Legisli
ture the Democrats would be in
position to try to oust from office Cit
Treasurer Ross and City Councilma
Rash. The Republicans know
these Democratic schemes, and d
AL not propose TO walk into such an an
bush, especially when they do not r
-, gard a special legislative session ;
necessary, either.
tee Hawkins. Delafield and Longfello'
ETY. the New York lawyers who have gi
ion en- their opinion that Wilmington h;
be no legal government. will be asked
lay give another opinion taking into col