Show THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THE CITY COUNCIL CITY marm resigned ht hia position march 24 sifter after tae the council went back on itself and aad granted grana a liquor license to the variety theatre on franklin avenue H he e alleged ill health as the reason for his resignation but the public will understand that in its ite true signification coming immediately after the last vote on the license io in granting which the council acted indirect in direct hostility to their attorneys attorney legal advice his letter of resignation could have but one true meaning the council has in three instances at least applied to the city attorney for his opinion upon important public matters mat and then taken a course in direct opposition to his interpretation of the law and his bis official advice we do not see how col merritt could have retained his self respect and his city office at the same time the public will appreciate his action and give him credit for proper dignity and consistency sis tency we think the gentleman has haa served the city faithfully and ably we took exceptions to one legal opinion which he gave to the council because we believed it was formed more in accord ance with their wishes than with good law and sound common sense we allude to the opinion that the council could not reconsider its action in regard to the rate of taxation for the year but in other respects we think col merritt has taken an admirable course and given good counsel to the partly bogus body which has ignored his advice and set at legal principles which he has explained to them he will go out of office with honor the action taken last night in reference to the liquor license for the variety theatre marks another big blot upon the record of the present council the citi citizens sens will take further notice that the majority of the members pay no regard to the wishes of the masses of the people the advice of their own attorney or the opinions of a competent court they pose as the masters of the city not the servants of the people and in their in science and self sufficiency do just as they please with the money and the property of the municipality and in reference to the moral sentiment of the citizens if conservative t liberals have not had bad enough of ring liberal rule they ought to be kept under its bondage and shame until they come to te their senses but by the time the present set of imprudent incompetents have finished their term we think the liberal stomach will have had bad much more than enough and will either voluntarily or with intentional tent ional vigor elect the whole outfit for good and all we invite attention to the minutes of last nights session so as a specimen of the manner in which they monkey with municipal affairs |