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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2915390" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Forty-seven, “Incorporation Meeting”, Monday, May 29th, 1882, 3:15 P.M.When Kate got home she went in through the kitchen door, running upstairs to change her dress.  Somehow it seemed wrong to go back into the classroom wearing black.  Thinking of how this all would have pleased Niles a smile crept onto her face as she rejoined Megan O'Hara and Mollie Caudell.  A little staff meeting would be in order after dismissal, and then there was still the matter of registering the ranch as inside town limits and the incorporation meeting.  School is dismissed at 3:30 PM.   The older Caudell children take the others home as Meagan and Mollie sit down with Kate to discuss how the day went and plan for the next day's lessons.Kate gathered a few things and took the ladies into the kitchen where they could be more comfortable.  She got a small fire going and set the kettle on for tea.  Then she got out her lesson plans and the more long term notes she'd made about curriculum. "I had been thinking it would just be myself, so they'll be some changes to be made to my plans.  I'm relieved to have both of you with me.  I haven't wanted to admit it, but I've been nervous about starting the school.  Those three in the town hall this morning would never have dreamed the favor they were doing me.  Since we're going to be working together it seems silly to keep calling each other Mrs., so Katherine or Kate will do just fine for me.  Now, how did things go for you both today?" she asked, then listened intently as they talked about the day.The women agree with Kate that when there are no children around they should address each other on a first name basis.   They discuss the education level that each of the children are at and suggest a few changes in the groupings as they had originally split them by age but now see where some are more advanced than others. At around 4:00 P.M. they are interrupted by Chumbley, who is going door to door selling newspapers to everyone who belongs to the Promise City Merchant's Association.  He wishes to get the news of the morning circulated in advance of the meeting to prevent rumors from being spread instead.   The three front page stories all concern the trails.   The main story is about the Indians, with an emphasis on young Nakomo's heroics.   Chumbley had interviewed Marshall Berg afterwards and had a few more details to add than were presented in court, including the mention that brave young Nakomo is the nephew of Nanuet.    In the discussion of the Indian conspirators it also mentions both the San Carlos Reservation tribal elders expelling them and Nanuet's helping Deputy Marshall Martin and Deputy Sheriff Hunter in the arrest.    Chumbley concludes the story by emphasizing how elves, like humans, come in both good and bad and each needs to be judged on their own actions rather than their race. The other two stories are about the two other trials.  First it describes the trail against Berg and Barker and of Isby finding them innocent.  Next is a story about the charges against Adair and Flynn, stating that it was continued until Tuesday and the two men will be spending the night in jail.   On page 7 is a full-page tribute to Niles Hoover that Neil Cassidy had paid for.   Kate sees that Chumbley does indeed stay on top of the news as it mentions that the new school will be named for him.Kate only spent a few minutes looking through the paper, but stopped at the tribute and read it fully.  "I hadn't realized that Mr. Cassidy and Mr. Hoover were such good friends.  I've been too wrapped up in my own concerns.  I need to pick up my head and look around now and then."   The three new teachers went back to their discussions and tried to work out how they were going to deal with students who would be there only occasionally until their parents decided where to have them educated permanently.  Finally as they broke up the meeting Kate said, "Tomorrow we can work out what we think will be fair salaries and let Mr. Cassidy know. I want to thank you both again, I think we're going to do well." After they left Kate cleaned up a bit, then ran over to the County Recorder's office to inform him that their ranch would be within town limitsMinerva arrives with Nakomo at Lacey’s General Store.  Lacey happily welcomes the boy into this store.   He holds up the latest copy of the Promise City Mirror and says "You made the front page young man, you've been hailed as a hero."   They look around and Nakomo picks out some clothing.  He then stops and focuses upon an Indian Dream Catcher hanging up on the side wall.   Lacey says, "That's not for sale young man.  It was my wife Erza's, she received it for helping a sub-chief's wife deliver their child.  It was a complicated birth and without Erza's help both the mother and child would have died.  It is supposed to bring good luck." Nakomo turns Lacey and says, "Yes, The item is Yavapai, my tribe, and I have heard the same story before from the mother.   It happened around thirty years ago."    Lacey smiles and says, "Yes it did, we were in Phoenix at the time, near where the Yavapai lived then.   Is the family still is good health?"  Nakomo says, "Yes, the father Eskiminzin is now a tribal elder.  They all now live on the San Carlos Reservation."Minerva and Nakomo continue their shopping spree. Minerva is obviously having a grand time, piling up blankets and encouraging Nakomo to choose the things that he would like for his room.   "If you tell me more of your life I shall weave your story into a tapestry for you to hang on the wall of your room. Would you like that?" Nakomo is overwhelmed by Minerva's generosity and leaves Lacey's with his arms piled high with, toiletries, nick nacks and several sets of clothing,  before they make their way home.  She fills the tub with steaming water and instructs him to bath and change into clean clothes.  When this is accomplished she says. "My, don't you look fine! Now we must find you some suitable weapons. It would not do for you to be unarmed and defenseless. Perhaps a knife that could concealed in your boot. She thinks for a moment. "Here," she says handing him the silver dagger from one of the secret pockets in her upon the initial completion of my Cleric training by my dearest friend, Talia Rushmore." she says with affection. I would like it returned to me when we purchase you a blade of your own.  Nanuet and I shall  make time to take you to the desert tomorrow so that you can demonstrate your proficiency in handling a gun and a bow. If you are adept at this we shall arm you, if not, we shall teach you.  "You can help me with the chores now and when Nanuet returns, we shall go into town and introduce you to our friends.”Jake and Ruby manage to scrounge up some food from the kitchen and then pass the time before the meeting talking about nothing much.  As they enter the meeting hall Jake says, "I have no idea what kind of lunacy will be on display here today, but I can only figure it will not be very pretty."The Promise City Town Hall opens its doors at 5:00 P.M. and the members of the Merchant's Association begin to arrive.   Chumbley takes his place outside to sell today's newspaper to those he hasn't personally delivered them to yet.     While the combined group meeting to be facilitated by Judge Isby is set to start at 5:30 P.M. the Merchant Association's current present has asked his group to arrive fifteen minutes earlier so that they can conduct some of their own business first.   Word had circulated that one of these pieces of business would be Evan Adair's call for Marshall Berg to be removed from his job, and an item most have an opinion on both pro and con.     The conflict between those two men is highlighted when they arrive together, Berg escorting his prisoner inside and staying alongside him.   Deputy Marshall Helen Barker comes up to him and softly says, "Hey Mitch, why isn't your prisoner in handcuffs or manacles?"   Berg says back to her, "Please Helen, let's try to not make matters worse.  That would only give sympathy to his charges."   By 5:15 P.M. nearly all of the members of the Merchant's Association are present and Lumley calls the group to order.    The first item of business is to recognize two membership changes.  Harry Rote is recognized as the new owner of Hoover's Liquors, Josiah Arcadiam has transferred his vote for the Promise City Mirror to his wife Morgana, and Austin Blake has now registered his Drover's Livery with the Association as a separate business than Drover's Hotel with his wife Vera now casting her own vote for the Hotel.    Bill Watkins raises an objection, saying they are just playing games to double their vote.   Lumley counters by pointing out that since the two businesses have separate and distinct buildings that it is permitted.    Kate overhears Roger Fly whisper to Neil Cassidy, "Damn, I hope my wife doesn't want to now do that too, dues for one business are high enough."   The next agenda item is the proposal to add Neil Cassidy as a fourth deputy.   There is some controversy to that due to the previous night's events.  Lumley points out that during this election period extra law enforcement is needed and Cassidy is willing to serve.   The proposal passes but is only to be in effect until a new Town Marshall is elected, at which point the Marshall will be free to hire his or her own deputies which at that point will be reduced back to three.   The only other agenda item is Adair's proposal to have Marshall Berg removed from his job.   Evan Adair stands and makes an impassioned plea on how Berg has abused his office and is unfit for the job.    Ike Sherman is recognized and supports that position as well.    It is obvious that both Neil Cassidy and Helen Barker wish to say otherwise but Berg urges them not to, noting their positions as deputies alone show a bias.Kate stood up to speak and that since Mr. Berg took over the job of town Marshall that Promise City had been far more peaceful than before.  Johnny Ringo had been stopped under his watch, and his extensive knowledge of the law was a boon to have in their Marshall.   She also argued how important continuity in the job was.  The Marshall and Deputies work as a team and by taking Mr. Berg out of that equation the team would be weakened until a new working relationship could be established with a new Marshall.  "Obviously, now is not the time to be weakening our law enforcement.  Marshall Berg's only agenda is to uphold the law, and there are few I would trust as much as him to do so," she finished.After Katherine speaks on Bergs behalf, Jake also rises and speaks.  "The judge cleared the Marshall of all charges and found he acted reasonably.  Marshall Berg is not one prone to violence, and has shown his dedication to the town and the rule of law.  He risked his life so that justice could be served.  Each of you look at yourself in the mirror," Jake points around the room, "and ask yourself, who you would trust standing outside that door protecting you if it was YOU waiting for justice to be served.  How many other men would have done what he did?  Marshall Berg has my support."  Jake sits down.Berg stands and says, "I accepted this badge and have worn it proudly.  I have not and will not do anything that I do not feel is right.   But I would prefer to be a lawyer than a lawman.   I was one of the proponents of Incorporation and plan to wear this badge until a new Town Marshall is elected by all of the people of this town.   But I will not run for that position and at that point in time I will gladly turn this badge over." His announcement that he will not be the next Marshall tends to make the matter moot and when the vote to remove him is called for it is defeated overwhelmingly by a vote of 8 to 40.   Judge Isby arrives and Lumley calls the meeting of just the Merchant's Association to be adjourned.Judge Isby goes up to the podium as the few members of the Promise City Vigilance Committee who were also not on in the Merchant’s Association come in and take their seats.  Isby states "We have several pieces of business to cover today in order to put this Incorporation Process into effect.   Today we will decide exactly who can run for office and who can vote.   Before we get into specifics on either let's discuss if the requirements for both should be one and the same. A discussion follows for the next fifteen minutes.   Many people feel that if somebody is allowed to vote they should also be allowed to run for office.  The only sticking point appears to be that of residency.   Isby states those in town who meet the yet-to-be-decided voter requirements should be allowed to vote as long as they register up to the final date of voter registration, even if they are newcomers on that day.     Others speak against "Carpetbaggers" running for office, not wanting somebody to just walk into town, a town they don't know, and decide to run for office.    There appears to be a growing consensus that there should be some residency requirement to run for office, although there are differing opinions on how long that requirement should be.When her turn comes to speak, Kate says, "We have to remember that Promise City is young, and no one has been here all that long.  No more than a couple of years.  I would suggest a time frame of a month before the last day of registration.  That would leave everyone already here able to run, and prevent anyone hearing about the elections and coming here specifically to run for office from doing so.   I don't think it's necessary to make the requirement longer than that.  It would be difficult for an unknown stranger to get elected even if they could run for office.  The town is still small enough that a stranger would stick out like a sore thumb."There seems to be some consensus to Kate's suggestion.   The issue is then raised of "What's to keep somebody new from claiming they were here a month, especially those folks who live out on the ranches and at mines that don't come to town that often?" County Recorder Dennis Winston points out that the majority of those properties only have the owners living on them, and that the ownership records are all on file and can be checked.   Zeb Cook states "What about those larger ranches and mines, they have lots of employees."   Judge Isby says, "And we will find out today which of those mines, farms and ranches wish to be part of the town.   We will wait until the end of the meeting to ask those owners so they know exactly what they are agreeing to.  Once we know who wants to join it is just a matter of checking the payroll records to see who is recorded and has been paid for more than a month from the end of voter registration."   Rancher Nicholas Thayer states "I pay my men in cash, I don't have payroll records."    It is pointed out that the Green Valley Farm and the Happy Strike Mine also pay their workers in cash. Isby says, "Then if they decide to join the town Mr. Tomlinson and I will plan on visiting those places tomorrow morning to record the names of everybody working there."    That seems to satisfy the crowd.   A vote is taken which from the Merchant's Association totals 34 in favor of the one-month residency requirement for candidates, 14 opposed and 7 abstentions.   That vote also confirms that all 55 voting members are present, something that has never before occurred. The vote is then taken from the Vigilance Committee  The three members who are also part of the Merchant's Association, namely Frank Condon, Bill Watkins and Zeb Cook vote as they had before with Condon and Watkins in favor and Cook opposed.    Members Dennis Avery and Doctor Jim Eaton are also in favor so the motion passes. The remaining issues to resolve are the questions of voter age, gender and race.   Isby decides to start with age, as that will probably be the less contentious.     Several people favor either eighteen or twenty-one.   Although she is a member of neither group Angelica Young wishes to be recognized.   Hearing no objection, Judge Isby allows it.   She points out that she, like many young people in town, is below that age and yet are married, hard-working and productive citizens.  She adds that most of the people trust her to give them the news of the town so why shouldn't they likewise trust her to be allowed to vote for the town's leaders. Mr. Hooten of the Cochice Boarding house points out that he has borders that are ages seventeen and eighteen and are contributing citizens.    Zackary Morand states that there are several ranch hands on his brother's Rocking-H ranch that are ages sixteen and seventeen and for all practical purposes are hard-working adults.   Bill Watkins says, "This is ridiculous.  We can't expect CHILDREN to decide who the town leaders are!"   I say twenty-one!"Kate listened as Bill Watkins opened his mouth, but kept her seat for the time being, listening to what others have to say.  When the time came she said only, "There are those wiser at sixteen than some people are at sixty.  I would not consider going any younger, but as we will expect these younger workers to follow the laws and pay the taxes, they should have some say in what those laws and taxes are."Morgana stands to be recognized. "We must remember that Promise city and the west are not the east, yet even in the east where children are kept children for as long as possible 16 is the age where the coming out parties begin. It is the time where adults recognize that the children they have taught and reared have grown to have their own opinion and thought and will not be silenced anymore. Here by the age of 16 many "children" have children of their own they are working full time and paying for their own keep they have come of the age where it is expected of them to behave and act as any adult of the community. I believe that if we wait until the age of 21 for members of our community to be heard we will loose many of the most intelligent, hardworking individual for they will be able to go to other towns where their voices will be heard.”Algelica Young stands to be recognized again.  She asks "Would that be sixteen as of the day of voter registration or sixteen as of the date of the election?"   Isby replies, "Would it make a difference?"   She says, "It would in my case.  My sixteenth birthday is the second week of June."   Ibsy says, "I think that being qualified by election day would be sufficient." The question of making the voting age sixteen is then put to a vote.  It passes by a vote of 43 yes, 9 no and 3 abstentions.    However, the three members of the Vigilance Committee also on the merchant's association were among the nine "no" votes.   Isby says "I am going to now ask the Vigilance Committee for their opinion.    Please bear in mind that the motion overwhelming passed from the Merchant's Association and if you really feel that this issue is really one worth fighting your customers over."   They talk briefly among themselves.   Bill Watkins repeats his "No" vote and Doctor Eaton votes "No" as well but the other three vote yes so it passes.</blockquote>

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