The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1926-02-19
SAY RED" WILL
"COME CLEAN"
Friends Of Young First Ward
Alderman Say He b No
Aydett.Anderson Man

That Red" (Leslie) Arm
strong, member of the board OF
aldermen from the First Ward
OF Elizabeth City, is not bound
to the Louis Anderson gang in
the city administration and can
be depended upon to como
clean" in the existing political
crisis is the representation
made to this newspaper by
good citizens who are close
personal friends of Armstrong.
This is mig news for tho cidssns
Of Elizabeth City and may put this
newspaper In the position Of having
to take back some of tho things
it has said about Red, and II, this
newspaper has to do something Like
that 1t will do It generously and
gladly, because this newspaper
wants to see more young men make
good In politics in Elizabeth City.
Good and serious.minded citizens
who have been watching Red"
Armstrong closely and who talk to
him insist that he has never had
any love for Anderson and has rec-
ognized and consistently fought yari.
Gus graft measures that have come
before the Board of Aldermen. Arm.
strong. it Is pointed out, votei
against the ill-smelling purchase
OF those discredited market house
fixtures and voted squarely against
the proposition TO employ an engf.
necr to appraise the value. Of the
Southern Gas Improvement Com
pany's local holdings which that
company desires TO unload on the
town.
And these same friends Of Arm
strong insist that hc will continue
to oppose the purchase Of the gas
outfit by the city and will otbose
any measure which he believes 10 bc
loaded with graft. That sounds
good and, II true, Red" Armstrong
Is going to be q mighty important
person OH that board of aldermen.
Anderson Caught OUT
in explanation OF Armstrong;
vote to make Anderson Street Com.
missioner at a salary Of $50
month. 1t is said that Armstrong
was influenced by the fact that he
believed Anderson to. be menace
to. fortnight government in Eliz-
abeth City as long as he remained
on tho board Of aldermen and that
the only why to gGt him of the
beard was to give him tho Office Of
Street commissioners. With Andrr:
sOn off the board, the most sinister
Influence in ward politics In Eliz.
abcth City is eifectualIy removed.
Anderson in his cagcrpeSs 10 get
on the city pay roll failed to see
what he was getting into.
The board of aldermen of Eliz-
obeth City has been controlled for
years by T.. +. Aydlett. AydIett
formerly controlled the board thru
Mack Sawyer Of the Second Ward
and Louis Anderson was Old Man
Mack's nnderstudy. Mr.. Sawyer
d;h several months ago, but II
didn't change tho situation at oil.
The law firm Of Aydictt & Simpson
cOntinncd to hold It's grip upon the
beard thru Anderson. And Ander.
son didn't know how 10 play his
cards as Mack Sawyer did. Mr..
Sawyer was discreet and plausible.
Anderson is crude ond bungiesome.
Aydlett's Latest Scheme
Aydlett baving unloaded the .elec.
tic light and water properties on
the town ut an eXorbitant price that
bad been opposed by the citizens for
years. now has contract with the
gas company by which be will again
f.; tber. bis nest by unloading the
gas company on the town at q fabu-
Ions price. But with Anderson of
the board Of aldermen Aydlett
doesn't stand n ghost OF show, .if
Alderman d. Ray Kramer Of the
Second Ward and Alderman Arm,
strong fO the First Ward stand
firm for the appointment Of a high
class and unselfish citizen to sue.
coed Anderson on the board of
aldermen.
IL This newspaper is placed il;
the position Of having to take lis
hat of to Red Armstrong and
apologize 10 him for chasing him
with Anderson. Davis and Morgan
il will be Red Letter day for
Elizabeth City. Events Of the mex:
ten days will determine.