The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1916-06-22
Councilmen Terry and
Smiths Letter.

|
CounciImen Terry and Smith did
the right thing in remaining on the
official Board even if they are i'm
1.-THE minority on every matter in
which the city is interested. because
1 the law does not provide for the
filling of vacancy by vote of the
| people -, .,ss,
| Perhaps they can yet accomplish
some good things by sticking and
protesting, to help the town. Any
way it is better than having all five
of the same opinion as the three
that now constitute the majority.
That was very fine expression in
the letter of Messrs. Terry and
Smith: 1--WE believe in an economi-
Cal administration of public matters
but will never cencede that there is
nothing more sacred than dollars"
The letter in full, addressed TO the
citizens of High Point and signed by
Messrs. Terry aud Smith, follows:
TO the Citizens of High Point:
lnasmuch as our contemplated
resignation as members of the city
council seems to have been generally
discussed. and since, after reconsid-
Grafton, the same has been with
drawn, justice to ourselves compels
public statement of our position.
After taking the oath of office as
councilmen we determined, and
have ever tried, to serve the citi-
Gems to the best of our ability; ard
have always favored and fought for
all measures tending for the better
ment and upbuiIding of High Point
ill all of its departments.
We believe in an economical ad-
ministration of public matters but
will never concede that there is
nothing more sacred or important
than dollars. In the beginning of
this administration we fought with
all the vigOr at our command
against dividing the different de-
partments of the city and putting
the school system under the person
al supervision of one of the council
men, and from day until this an ef
fort was made by some members of
the council to make it unpleasant
for the superintendent of OUT city
schools WINCH finally with an ally
IF the same mind. caused in our
opinion, the result that followed.
Being hopelessly in the minority
on questions of public interest, we
felt it best for us to resign so that
the majority might carry out their
policies without the vain protest of
the minority. Please understand
and we wish to emphasize this point
that our action was not the result
of any particular difference of opinion
ON any one matter, but at all times
an on all questions of public interest
our presence has caused an utter
lack of harmony and has mace con-
certed action impossible.
Our designations have been with
drawn for several reasons; First:
Because our successors under the
charter, could not be elected by the
people, but would be chosen by the
remaining three members of the
council, which would practically
mean that a majority of those re-
naming on the council could select
men who were in strict accord with
their views, a condition which to our
minds would preclude the people
who hold ideas with us of even the
privilege of making a protest, futile
though it might be, against any ac-
ton which id our opinion would tend
to retard the proper development OF
the city.
Second: Because our duty to our
friends and the public will not allow
us to do otherwise than to stick 1t
OUT and keep up our feeble fight for
measures which we think essential
to High Points welfare.
We recognize that no condition
can Justify the government of city
not elected by its citizens, and we
stand ready to resign our positions
whenever our designations are asked
for by the people of High Point. Un-
iif that time comes, or until our
term of office expires, we have de-
cided to stay ON the job and do
everything in our power-ittle
though it may be-to advance the
best interests of High Point and its
people. In doing this we have laid
aside our personal choice in the
matter, and will ever stand for those
things that we think the citizens of
High Point demand.