The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1926-03-05
THIS MAN MONEY
HOLD ALDERMAN JOB
Noah Bright's Friends Persuade Him to Lose
$500 A Month of City's Oil Business BY
Accepting Appointment

Noah Bright, successor to
Louis Anderson as Alderman
from the Second Ward, got
himself in for something he
wasn't looking for this week
when he let his friends per-
suade him to accept the place
On the city council Mr.. Bright's
new place as Alderman may
cost him something like $500 a
month in oil business that
formerly came from various
city departments.
Under a time-tricd statute Of this
State, any member of Il board that
governs a county, town or munici'
pality. etc, is prohibited under
severe penalty from trading witt
himself and such act constitutes
very serious breach of the law. NJ
Bright finds himself in the pradicG
ment under the law Of hanging
to his political honors. and lcttir
20 to his comprehensive oil bus
ness he had been enjoying or han
ing on to the oil business. and q
ing the city job back TO Louis ~.
derson's crowd.
Was 4 Close Race
There was a close race for the mp
appointment Of Il successor 10 Louis
Anderson. and when Mr.. Bright got
the lead of the other candidates,
voluntary, and proposed, there were
many rumOrs started TO defeat him.
The most damaging rrlmor started
against Mr.. Bright was to the effect
that he was hand in glove with
Aydlett & Simpson, had for the past
few days been seen in close COZ
sultation with Martin Simpson OF
this law firm, and by reason Of this.
might he expected to favor the .pur-
chase of the Gas plant, which Ay-
dlett &. Simpson have been trytpg.
hard to unload on the city. On the
back Of all this, was the fact that
Louis Anderson, tho off the board,
was doing his best 10 enlist support
for Mr.. Bright. and virtually threat
cned Ray Kramer and ether ON
the. board with their political death,
unless they voted for Mr.. Bright.
=. Bright Denies
Because Mr.. Bright has been
known as a successful business man,
a genial, friendly, courteous, and
highly respected citizen, who wouid
not be expected to betray his town
into any disadyantageOus deal, this
newspaper was not inclined to ac'
.cept the representations that had
been made against the new Alder
man. and asked Mr. Bright for
plain statement rs TO his position in
this connection.
Mr.. Bright denies having pledged
himself in any way TO support any
such move, and furthermore, states
with all emphasis that he is opposed
TO and will continue to oppose any
move toward purchase by the city,
cf the gas properties. He says he
doesn't see why the city needs such
plant, and assures everyone that
they can depend Oh him to the limit
to oppose its purchase as subsequent
conduct in Office will show. He
further insists that he is in no way
connected with the firm Of Aydictt
& Simpson. and has had no connec-
ton other than TO occupy n site
leased of Mr.. Aydlctf, WHICH is now
used as a station and warehouse,
for his oil business.
Unexpected Support
The final events which resulted
in the appointment of Mr.. Brighi
we're watched with interest. TrII
to this newspapers Alderman Arm
strong voted with his old crowd
Morgan and Davis, who have uSua
" voted with Anderson, and the
side was further supported by J..
CohOOn from the Fourth Ward, WI
suddenly swung away from L.
CohoOn and Hughes with whom
was formerly aligned, leaving thu
in the minority. Both COhoOn
Armstrong. insist that they yOi
for Mr.. Bright, cOnscieniiOus!y
firm in the belief that his busin
record and other affiliations, or ]
# them recommended him abb
the number of other citizens y
were talked of as prospective cat
dates.
Rumors that he was prom 'sed 4.
a appointment on the Board durir.
the last city election, Oh tie COP /
ton that he would not become d
ut that time are also is
counted by Mr.. Bright. "Thc Iact
Of the matter was" says Mr.. sight,
Il had not considered it seriously
until Saturday. Mr.. c. ID. GaIlop
had previously asked me to hold oil
as he wanted to be candidate. ana
first ascertaincd whether there
" ,uld be any apprcciablc suTEori
u him. and fiudir" r"n" ~ -"
vsnlE