Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-04
Westerly Mans Election Questioned
T. Harold Rogers, Councilnsn, Had Failed Regster- $13,000 Fire Loss at Crumb Quarry-Rev. Patrick J. OLea<y Seriously M-Plans for Band Concert.

There is more or less criticism of the republican town committed. when mak- ing up the slate for town officers, as is the custom in Westerly, for having recommended D. Harold Rogers for: the off1ce of councilman. for which or f1ce he was not qualified. as he had failed to register within the time re-, Qufred by law. It is claimed the com nntttee should have been certain on that important point before going ahead, eveI If MT. Rogers was of the impression that he had registered for the election held Tuesday. It is evil dently case where the matter was nogligently overlooked by those having charge of party affairs and interests. Mir. Rogers was nominated by the re- publfcans for seventh councilman, his democratic opponent was John A Far were cast for MT. Rogers As the nomination of MT. Rogers was in itself of no legal standing, in the opinion of those learned in the law. the fact that hs received 19S votes more than his opponent does not carry with it elec- ton to office.
 The constitution of the state of Rhode Island. in article g, section l. says. '-rJo person shall be eligible to any civil off1ce (except the office of school oommittee) unless he be a quail filed elector for such office
 Decision has been given that the party must be a qualified voter at the time of election.
 The term civil officer has been ds- fined by the Rhode Island courts in these words: There is common agree ment that a civil officer has the char acteristics of tenure, Of definite term, of general duties as part of the reg ular administration of the government, of rights of emoluments and of Quali- f1cation by oath"
 There are three grades of electors in Rhode Island, the real estate. the per- sonal property and the registry voter.
 The real estate elector must have $134 of real estate free of incumbrance and the deed must be on record for 90 days; or, if with children, the elector can vote on the rights of the wife's property. This class of voters are not required to register. Mr. Rogers is not a real estate elector.
 The personal property eiector pays a tax on at least $iS4 of personal prop erty, and is required to register but once. MT. Rogers is not an elector of
 The registry elector is required to register every year. In order to have been qualified to vote in Tuesdays election, Mir. Rogers should have reg istered some time between July i2, 1912, and June 30, 1913. This he did not do. but he did register on June 2, 1y14, and will be qualified to vote in town election year hence.
 There was a fire at the crunb guar. y in Bradford about midnigt.t Tues day, and the loss is estimated at $13,- ooe. The fire originated in the main boiler and engine house and adjoining buildings, all of which were destroyed, with the valuable machinery they con- taaned. In consequence of the fire a considerable part of the big plant is crippled With the burning of the boiler house there was no appliance for fighting the fire, but 1t was kept within as close confinement as possi- bie by the heroic work of those who were attracted by the big blaze. The enact cause of the fire is not known. but some arc of the opinion that il was of incendiary origin.
 The meashsrs of tfse Westerly town council of fef3-19f4 performed theis final official act on Wednesday evening kand recounted the ballots cast in Tues- 4dAys town election, as required by law. The work was accelerated by the experience of Councilman c. Clarence Manson, who has been a member ot the state returning board for mann years Four of the counters, Aldermen Flynn CuHey, Thomas and Haswell were candidates for successful re-eaec. tion, while CouDcflmen ngworthy h14x0oh and Saunders are the retiring ullOn1UCI6 4ASIClOI0 the new COu11Cl will be composed of William CuiIey Maurice w. Flynn. Charles B. Thomas Francis G. Haswe1l, Charles D. Crait and Thomas E. Robinson, with JofiI A. Farrell, democrat, in doubt. There is supreme court decision to the effec that when a candidate is elected ant not eligible that his election is declared void, and that the opposing gscandidate who received lesser number of votes is not elected and should not be give1 AA ~ ~I> ks>- f. F. cision but not a statute law, and ther, might be change in supreme cour opinion.
 For the first tinne in many year there was delay in opening meeting of the town council The meeting wa, scheduled for 7s0, but it was 35 min. ntes later when the meeting was called to order by Councilman Maxson, wht presided in the absence of Presiden l1answorthy, quorum being the1 present The counting of the ballot was then commenced, the package O the First district being the first open ed, and when finished the votes of tn, Second district were counted The re suit of the count was practically tn same as returned by the election off cdals
 The council declared the election O Cuiley, Flynn, Thomas, HasweiI, Crais and Robinson. Rogers was declare, Yot elected on account of -disqualifica. lion in not having registered as al eiector in accordance with law Tn, board was of opinion that in accord ance with the constitution MT. Farrel could not be declared elected, as h. tdid not receive-t the majority of tn votes cast for the office for which h was nominated. Mir Farrell has tn privilege of taking the matter to court He. however. does not intend to talk any such action if. upon inquiry, h ascertained that the action taken b. the council, acting as returning board had reached decision according 10 law