The Washington herald., 1912-08-02
MT, RAINIER MAYOR
MAY QUIT OFFICE
Resignation Of Joseph Theophilus
Kirk Plant Is Rumored Owing
to Recall Fight.
THOMAS @. ELLIOTT LEAVES
COUNCIL, ENDING DISPUTE
Victory for Anti-administration
Forces in Long Squabble-Town
Officers in Contempt of Court.

Joseph Theophilus Kirk Plant, Mayor
of Mount Rainier. Nd, probably will re-
sign in view of the general strife which
has broken loose and the fact that a
petition demanding his recall is being
widely circulated.
Rumors to this effect We're heard on
every side in the little town last night.
Mr.. Plant has often expressed his re-
gret that he ever accepted the position
of Mayor, and 1t is believed that rather
than face recall, he will tender his res
ignation.
The anti-administration faction, which
is led by Robert Z. Joyce. former Mayor
of the town, scored another signal victory
yesterday afternoon. when Thomas c.
Elliott, the recalled councilman from
the Fourth Ward. withdrew from the
contest, leaving his opponent. G. w.
hughes, alone In the field for the special
election TO be held tomorrow.
Sheriff A. B. Suit. of Prince George's s
County will either to-day or tomorrow
serve contempt papers upon the Mayor
and councilmen. This will constitute an
other victory for the Joyce followers.
Elliott Gives Up Ghost.
The withdrawal of Mr.. Elliott from the
race was not unexpected. For several
days Mayor Plant has been urging the
councilmen to give up the fight, foresee-
ing additional trouble for the town in
case Mr.. Elliott was reelected.
II have withdrawn in the interests of
harmony" said Mr.. Elliott last night.
Il realized that even IL l were elected,
which seemed quite unlikely. the anti
administration men would wage addi-
tional warfare against me, causing trou-
thn rnu al knnw-fhat
Hughes had canvassed the ward very
carefully and had procured the votes Of
enough residents to insure my defeat
The special election is to be held to-
morrow between the hours OF o'clock
o'clock in the morning and o'clock
in the evening. 1t is expected that only
small vote will be cast in view Of
the withdrawal of Mr.. Elliott.
still In Contempt.
The Mayor and Councilmen are still
technically in contempt. despite the fact
that they have rescinded their re-regis-
tration action and have decided to hold
the election within the forty day limit
established by the court Robert +.
joyce. petitioner before the Circuit
Court has announced that he will not
withdraw the petition.
IF the Mayor and Councilmen have
any excuses to make, they must present
them to the court at Upper Marlboro
not to me or the Sheriff. said Mr..
Joyce last night. Il shall not withdraw
the petition under any circumstances. &"
Under the rule issued by the court
Tuesday afternoon. the Sherin must
serve the papers on or before tomorrow.
II is believed that he will execute his
part OF the proceedings tonight. The
Mayor and Councilmen will be required
to appear before the court next Friday
and show cause why they should not
be adjudged in contempt.
Three Charges Against Mayor.
The petition demanding the recall OF the
Mayor is being circulated through the
town. Sixty-five signatures are required
before 1t can be presented TO the court
with the request that a mandamus writ
for a special election be issued. The
petition is based on three main
The first is the fact that Mayor Plant
does not own 500 worth of real estate
in Mount Rainier. as required under the
terms OF the charter.
The second premise deals with the re-
cent case in which the Mayor turned
loose a prisoner to save the expense of
sending the man to Jail. and then had
the Town Council pay the offenders fine
when unexpected difficulties arose.
The third premise Is to the effect that
the town had been unjustly compelled TO
bear the legal expense incurred by Coun-
Gilman Elliott in connection with the re-
cent recall litigation.
When the Mayor appears at Upper
Marlboro next Friday TO answer the con-
tempt charge it is likely that Mr.. Joyce
will call to the attention of Associate
Judge Beall that Mr.. Plant referred to
him recently as a biased judge" that
he called the issuance of contempt pa
pers baby play" and spoke lightly of
the serving of the instruments.