The Washington herald., 1912-07-31
formally, a special meeting Of the Coun-
ell was held Monday night.
Anh In, Ich

formally, a special meeting OF the Coun-
ell was held Monday night.
After spirited fght, in which Warren
E. James, an anti-Elliott man, combatted
alone the remainder OF the council-all
Elliott men-it was finally voted to have
re-registration, thus delaying the election
more than q month, as the charter pro-
vides that registration shall be held thir-
ty days prior to the date OF election. This
placed the election outside the limit set
by the court. and rendered the council
men and Mayor in contempt.
At the meeting Monday night Corpora
tion Counsel Harmon was called in to
lend advice. He expressed the opinion
that reregistration would be necessary
under the terms Of the charter. The
councilmen. with the exception OF Mr..
James, accepted his decision. Mr.. James
warned the other councilmen that they
were proceeding in contempt. and said
that he had taken an oath 10 stand by
the town charter and the constitution OF
the country, and that he would do It. de-
spite the action Of the corporation coun-
sci and the Town Council
Court Issues Rule.
Yesterday Charles Benedict Calvert. at
torney for Mr.. Joyce. filed a petition IN
the Circuit Court of Prince George Coun-
ty, praying that a rule TO show cause
he issued against the Mayor and the
councilmen. After giving careful con-
s.deration to the matter. Fillmore Beall.
associate Judge, yesterday afternoon. Is
sued a rule, ordering the Mount Rainier
authorities to show cause by August .
Why they should not be adjudged in con-
tempt. The rule provides that the papers
shall be served by Saturday.
Yesterday the Mayor began to realize
that he was proceeding in contempt and
requested the corporation counsel to
make a careful study OF the situation.
Mr.. Harmon looked into the matter fully,
and reached the conclusion that while a
re-registration was called for in the char
ter, the councilmen would be in contempt
II they carried out that provision. and
thus delayed the election.
Mayor Plant at once planned to hold
a special meeting. but was unable to
find two Of the four councilmen. 50 he
for tonight. When a representative Of
The Washington Herald called upon HIM
last night and Informed him Of the issu-
ance of the rule by the Upper Marlboro
court he Immediately made a second at
tempt to reach all Of the councilmen and
hold the special meeting. After some dif-
fcuIty three OF the four councilmen were
DrOuklt OuI- lHSy WtIt MI. JdHlcSs
Elliott and Francis NJ. Proctor.
Mayor Plant Presides.
Mayor Plant called the meeting to or
der at the town hall and stated that the
purpose was to rescind the action taken
the previous night. Mr.. Elliott stated
that he was entirely willing to let the
matter stand as originally, although he
believed it to be In violation of the
terms Of the charter. He then intro
duced a resolution calling for the re-
scinding Of the action. Mr.. James re-
fused to vote, stating that it would
place him in a peculiar position. in view
CT his attitude Monday night. The reso-
luton was carried without opposition.
Mayor Plant then announced that the
election would be held Saturday between
the hours of a. m. and p. m.
Now, gentlemen, / just want to ask
one question before We Co." said Coun-
Gilman Proctor. Can they still lock US
up in jail for contempt? For, gentlemen,
II such a thing is in the Sheriffs power,
/ want to go to jail on my stand OF
Monday night. I don't believe in giving
in"
Mr. Elliott's opponent is Clifford
Hughes. The clerks OF the election are
Messrs. Rosser and Winslow.
Calls Rule "Baby Game"
The regular meeting OF the Town
Council will be held Monday night. It
is likely that the session will be a
spirited one.
Attention is now being centered upon
the petitions IN circulation respecting the
recall Of the Mayor. Only sixty-five sig
are required for its submittal to
to the court at Upper Marlboro. Persons
who are at the head of the movement
said last night that there will be no
in obtaining the names in a
short time.
Mayor Plant looks upon the issuance Of
the rule yesterday afternon as baby
play" The other officials, with the ex-
ception of Mr.. James, look upon the mat
ter in similar light.
And while the fireworks are blazing
let it not be forgotten that Sheriff Suit
has in his possession the papers which
must be served by next Saturday. Semi
humorous situations are likely to occur
as a result Of the quiet action of the
Council last night In resembling its re-
egistration action, for the Sheriff knows
of it. and IL he does learn about
It he will be compelled to serve the or
ders. which have not yet been with