Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-04-11

In their objections to the recall Pc
tition filed with the city council this
afternoon, Mayor Robinson and Coun-
Gilman Eichelberger state they are de-
sirous of holding the election at the
earliest possible time, but demand
that specific charges be made against
them instead of a blanket statement
such as 'incompetency, inefficiency
and extravaganza, and further "arbi-
trary abuse of power" The officers
whose recall is sought state they want
named at the head of the petition par
ticular acts complained about. instead
of a vague statement upon which
names could be secured by delusion.
The Joint objection filed with the coun-
Gil is as follows
To the City Clerk of Boise City, Idaho:
The law requires that "the incum-
bent whose removal was requested
shall file in writing, with the clerk,
his objections, if any, to the suffi-
cheney of such petition. We are
very DESTROYS of holding the recall cleo
ton at the earliest possible date. We
do not care to delay action. Taking
this attitude we refuse to interpose any
merely technical criticism of the petit
tions.
on the other hand, it is obvious that
q recall election cannot be legally
called nor have any legal effect if
held unless it is based upon petition
which satisfies the legal requirements.
If the city is to bear the expense of
such an election, economy and good
sense demand that the election and the
petitions on which II rests conform to
the provisions of the law. We feel it
to be our duty therefore to call atten-
ton to certain defects that such ac-
ton may be taken as shall seem proper
The Petitions Defective.
The recall petitions recently filed for
our removal appear to be defective III
several important particulars
First, they are asking for our recall
without stating a single solitary spe-
cific reason therefor. The law requires
that there shall be inserted in not
more than 200 words the reasons fol
demanding the recall" Justice as vel
as the law suggests that any man whc
is called to account shall be specifically
told with what he is charged. Despite
the fact that the law allows 200 words
for that purpose the petitioners havs
used but third of that number, ant
few vague insinuations and conclusion.
which by no stretch of imagination cal
be said to satisfy the demand of tn,
law for reasons.
The first generality mentioned /,
"Inefficiency and ineompetency in of
flee Another is "EXtravaganee.
What acts or failures to act warran
these assertions What acts or failure!
to act, if any, show extravaganza? |
they have in mind the letting Of con
tracts for paving, sewers, sidewalks, o
for water for sewer flushing the rec
ords will show that the cost to tn
city is less than ever before. Bette
street lighting is being provided 70
much less money. The fiVe-yea
sprinkling contract recently negotiate,
means saving to the city of $1,000
year or $4,000 in all. If this allega
tion has reference to the conduct of tn
fire department the records will shoy
that as a result of extended investiga
ton by Mr.. Eiehelberger at his own ex
pense action WAS taken by the counci
equipping the department with motto
driven apparatus, cutting off the ex
pense of four men and ten horses, hu
at the same time increasing the fir
fighting efficiency at least 80 pc
cent. II reference to the city parks
meant attention may be called to tn
well kept condition of McCauley, co
lumbia and other parks, and to JUL
Davis park which has been change
from a dump to a place of beauty.
the charge is meant to advert to pc
lice affairs 1t is a matter of recor
that bootlegging and commercial pros
titution have been suppressed, an
that in spite of the new duties Incl