1950 07 21 CC Minutes, Special:1
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTONN ,9.TEXAS
July 21, 1950
The City Council of the City of Baytown, Texas met in session on Friday,
July 21, 1950 at 6:o1clock p, me in the Council Room.of therBaytown City Hall with
the following members in attendance:
J. A.Ward
R. B. Bergeron
E. W. Buelow
Milton L. Campbell
R. H. Pruett
W. D. Reeves
W. C. Williams
A. V. Barber
George Chandler
Edna Oliver
Absent: C. Darwin Middleton
Mayor
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Councilman
Acting City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk
City Manager
The Mayor called the meeting to order by asking the Corporation Judge,
E. E. Hunter if he had a reply to the charges brought against him by the City
Attorney,
Mr, Hunter!s Reply
In answer to the question asked the Corporation Judge presented a letter
of explanation to the Mayor. It read as follows:
"Honorable Mayor and City Council
"City of Baytown
"The charges that were made against me last night by the City Attorneyy
naturally came as a complete surprise to me. In view of the manner in
which those charges were made, and the fact that I could not be expected
to answer some of them without knowing exactly what they were and then
having time to try to go back several months in my records, I would like
to make this statement only atthis time. The job of Corporation Judge
in Baytown is a back- breaking, nerve- wracking task consuming many hours
a day. The Judge gets calls at all times of the day and night from
Attorneys and friends of all kinds of disturbers of the peacerthat have
been picked up by the police. This in addition to the several hours every
morning (including Sunday) during which trials of cases are conducted.
Couple this with the fact that the salary is very low and it can be easily
be seen thAt there is no attraction to the job. I have honestly felt.that
I could render the City of Baytown some service by holding the job. I feel
that you gentlemen shared that feeling. It is because of this that I made
what has actually been a sacrifice to stay in office.
"I sincerely believe anyone who has known me very long knows that I.would
not intentionally do a dishonest thing. I have many short - comings and
among them is carelessness with my records - due to my necessary efforts
to make a living by earning some money in my supply business, as well as
the many hours consumed by the Judge!s job. I am sure that I have made
many mistakes. I think that over a period of time any man who has tried to
conscientiously serve the public by collecting fines at all hours of the
day or night 0 necessitating the recording of those fines at some later
date - is bound to make errors. The one thing that I can tell you is that
I have not intentionally turned in to the city one cent less than I collected.
I have undoubtedly made other mistakes - Legal and otherwise - but here
again I have never had any aim other than to do justice to the people in
my court room.
"It is evident that there are people who are very anxious for me to resign.
I feel that any fair - minded man or group of men would exonerate me from any
fraudulent or dishonest conduct, and I trust the Council will do that.
"Neverless because of the ceaseless efforts of those who oppose me and the
trouble that the controversy must cause the council, I will, of course, do
whatever the council wishes in this matter.
"Sincerely
/sft. D. Hunter ",
281
Dossey's Report
Auditor, T. H. Dossey, Jr was asked to report on his findings in regards to
money collected by the Corporation Judge. He stated that the money deposited in
bank balanced with all reportzsheets filed *ith the City Clerk.
Resolution
Councilman Campbell arose and made a statement that due to the serious nature
of the charges made and the responsibility that the Cc ncil felt to the community
as a whole, he would like for the City Attorney to read the following resolutions
I
RESOLUTION
I
A RESOLUTION DISCHARGING JUDGE E. E. HUNTER PROM HIS
POSITION OF CORPORATION JUDGE FOR THE CITY OF BAYTOWN,
TEXAS, DUE TO HIS MALEFEASANCE WHILE IN SAID OFFICE. AND
AV2HORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY, GEORGE CHANDLER, TO FUNC-
TION AS CORPORATION JUDGE, WITHIN LEGAL L=S AND WITH THE
ADVICE OF A THREE -MAN COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY MAYOR WARD,
TO -WIT: MILTON L. CAMPBELL, E. W. BUELOW, AND W. C.
WILLIAMS, UNTIL A NEW CORPORATION JUDGE IS. %APPOINTED BY
THE COUNCIL.
!'WHEREAS, the Corporation Judge has been accused of certain wrongdoings; and
"WHEREAS, any one of these offenses, if true, would warrant the removal
of the said Judge; and
"WHEREAS, the Council is of the opinion that one of these charges is true; and
"WHEREAS, others may prove to be true; NON, THEREFORE,
"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAYTOWN:
"Section 1. THAT Judge E. E. Hunter is hereby removed from the position of
Corporation Judge, effective July 21, 1950, at mid- night, and that the City Attorney,
George Chandler, is hereby authorizes, and directed, to act in his stead, within
legal limits, and where necessary, with the advice of a three -man committee appointed
by Mayor Ward, to -wit: Milton L. Campbell, E. W. Buelow, and W. C. W lliams, until
a new Corporation Judge is..appointed by the City Council. `
"INTRODUCED, READ, and PASSED by the majority of the City Council of the
City of Baytown on this the 21st day of July, 1950.
/sl J. A. Ward
loAa r' �r
ATTEST:
Edna Oliver
City Clerk "
Councilman Campbell moved to adopt the resolution as read. Councilman Reeves
seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as follows:
Roll Calls Ayes: Mayor Ward Nays- None
Councilman Bergeron
" Buelow
" Campbell
" Pruett
11 Reeves
6ampbell
Adjourn
Councilman Campbell moved to adjourn. Councilman Reeves seconded the motion.
The ayes were unanimous and the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned.
ar � yor
ATTEST:
-
City erc