The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1951-10-11
A Disgrace To Hogerstown
By II. S. Douglas


agersown took place last Thursday night However, before going
into the affair let make myself perfectly clear few
points
First only refused support Mr. Mills he
the Office of Mayor of Hageown but openly told him why
couldn't do Second when the Mayor appointed Zonng Com
mission (which approved by the Counc) told him
thought he setting which permitted
him. Mayor of the City to act exoco member of that
commission and also told him. when the ordinance setting Sec
ton he North End) prepared that he wrong
Guiding that ordinance provision for Board of Zoning Appeals
However, when the whole zonng question developed
four members of the Council became bitterly opposed Section
after they had already passed it, and also used tactics that c
cized accused of being proNls My that
accusation was-and still hat two made right
So with position taxpayer editor and publisher
made perfectly clear let's down last Thursday nights dis
graceful meeting.
belief the contrary that the Mayor and Council
the first Thursday of every month Paragraph Five of Section
of the Charter only that the Council shall least
in month during the and much oene
be required
Therefore when days before the Thursday meeting
the Mayor taken the Washington County Hospital and
beddden patient when the Council due the
thing have done would have been the meeting of
the Council until the Mayor well enough attend there
vitality urgent business that could for few days.
then the decent thing do would have been for the Council
elect acting Mayor such vital business and
then adjourn until the Mayor able to be present
Unfortunately however, became evident from the
the Council meeting convened that four members the Council
Luther Broom Jack Helane Mel Jennings and Roy Knghtee
concerned with courtesy towards the Mayor and
determined have their So anxious these four
appng the Mayor that their spokes
Councilman Knight couldn't opening
by the Rev. Frederick D. Eyster but jumped his feet and
tempted through resolution nominating Councilman
Frank Elliott (besde himself the only other Democrat the
Republican Councl) acting Mayor.
When Mr. Elliott temporarily blocked this by pointing
that he had invited Mr. Eyer the Council meeting with
Councilman Knight down and Mr. Eyser
fine that unfortunately far these four Councmen
concerned, apparently fell on deaf
Immediately the Amen spoken, Mr. Knight again
nominated Councilman Elliott Mayor
cordanc with Paragraph II Section of the Charter which reads
follows: of sickness absence of the Mayor
the Council shall choose numbers Mayor who shall dis
charge the duties of the office and all Acts done by the
Mayor and Council thus constituted shall be valid and binding
in law"
After the nomination had been seconded Mr. Elliott declined
the nomination the grounds That's do not surrender
right and right express Despite this
the Council called for Mr. Elliott
elected When he then asked take the chair he again
emphatcaly declined Samuel Strife of the special
engaged by the four Councen handle
ing Ordinances, then asked Mr. Kerney the city clerk make
that Mr. Elous refusal recorded the of
meeting.
Councilman Knight heckmated in his obvious attempt to
make that the of the
would be held intact then nominated Councilman Heane acting
Mayor and he duly elected and chair hearing
from three different delegations Councilman Jennings and
city clerk typewriter statement that he asked
him to read, and here it is:
AT the last regular meeting of this Council September
1851 the Mayor attempted beaed of ordinances
relating the onng of this City, which represented
the solemn deliberations of this Council
This action by the Mayor contrary the of
prescribed by the Charter obvious
atmosphere favorable further litigation against the his
actions in to these have in the past encouraged
l. therefore, the interests of the certainty which the
uniy entitled again the of the ordinances
aforesaid which the Mayor purpoed at our last regular
meeting.
Ibis vicious document seconded by Councilman Knight
and at the request of Councilman Jennings the clerk instructed
to take roll call After Councilman Knight len
had voted of the Councilman Elliott
had voted against Mr. Strife drew Mr. the
fact that Mayor Heane had poIed insisted
that this be DONE stating elected acting
Mayor did deprive him of his then
dnEc