Imperial Valley press., 1935-05-04
ROBSON INDICTED IN R0BLES KIDNAPPING CASE
Storm Toll Increases In Middle West And Sout]
CONSIDER THE PUBLIC

The Press thoroughly agrees with the state
ment made from the bench yesterday by Judge
B. F. Warmer hearing the of Bratton-Hatch
vs. McIver-Barry, in the much involved dispute over
the offices of treasurer and assessor-colector for
the Imperial Irrigation District.
In taking the case under submission Judge
Warmer declared that the rights of the public are
to be considered and that compromise agree
ment having that consideration in mind is in order
and that the offices should be maintained without
prejudice to the legal rights of the tigants and at
the same time for the benefit of the public.
''Ths can and ought to be done," Judge Warmer
sad and added that if it had been in his power to
issue such an order he would have done SO. 'Preju
dice bias and hatred will exist until the rights of cit
lens are upheld by display of unselfishness," he
asserted
Conferences held by the attorneys for the liti-
giants with Judge Warmer Thursday and Friday
failed to bring about such an agreement and it is
doubtful that such an agreement can be reached
without the pressure of public opinion behind the
demand for it. It is hoped this article will stimulate
such demand
Under the present set-up the district has two
sets of assessorscolectors and two treasurers The
taxpayer may we'll hesitate as to which set-up he is
to make payments, and cannot be criticized if he
makes payment at all.
The Press contends that Bratton and Hatch
were duly elected under the laws of the state and by
an expression from the aority of the voters They
have been given certificates of election by the duly
recognized authority the directors of the Imperial
Irrigation District and have made the required bond
Granted that there is dispute as to whether or
not the refusal to count the so-caed star votes was
legal this matter is before the appellate court for
decision, where the rights of the four parties in
volved duly recognized and protected by law
The in the superior court is only incidental to
the appellate court action and must be subordinate
to any decision reached by the latter body.
Mr. McIver and Miss Barry by stepping aside
oain, WI
may believe they have to such offices If the appel
late court upholds their contention that the star
ballots should be counted the orderly process Of law
recognizes their right to office and they entitled
to salary and all the other privileges of those offices
as though they had continued in office from their
previous administrations.
1t will then be proper for Bratton and Hatch
to step aside McIver and Miss Barry are asked to
do now.
On the other hand, if the refusal to count the
star votes is held legal nothing can prevent recog
milton of the right of Bratton and Hatch to hold
their offices from the date which they were sup
posed to assume them.
McIver and Miss Barry have served the public
long and we'll and they have held the respect Of ALL
even those who have opposed them politically. The
debt however, is not entirely the side of the pub
lie, for they have been well paid for the services
rendered and the public is fully entitled to their
utmost consideration unless they wish to forfeit the
respect accorded them, something they will do by
continuation Of their attitude during the past few
months. They do not gain single thing by this
course and not their staunchest supporters can
truthfuly claim that McIver and Miss Barry forfeit
anything by showing the proper consideration for
public welfare.
AS Judge Warmer inferred, it is high time for
display of unsefishness and consideration for the
public rather than continuance of sefishness and
stubbornness which has characterized developments
of the past few months