Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-01-11
THE FIRE AND POLICE SERVICE.
Proposed Combination Special
Meeting ofCOuncil-An Expression
of OpinIOn-NO Change 10 be Made.

In accordance with a resolution adopted
at the last regular meeting Of Council, a
special meeting was held on Monday after
noon for the exclusive consideration OF the
ordinance introduced by Alderman Roberts,
providing for a combination Of the Fire and
Police Departments in one brigade, and the
substitute or amendment offered by Alder
man schwarz for a paid Fire Department.
After considerable discussion, without
arriving at any result, other than securing
an interchange of views, the meeting was
adjourned over until last evening.
A caucus meeting was held IN the Mayors
Office at s o'clock, which lasted over an
hour, when the doors of the Mayors private
office were thrown open and the meeting
was formally organized in that room.
Present, the Mayor and full quorum.
The following resolu ion was offered by
Alderman Hamilton:
ResolUed, That it is the sense Of this Coun-
ell that q combination OF the Police and
Fire Departments is desirable, but we are
unable at this time TO agree upon the details
to carry it into execution.
Alderman Roberts desired that there
should he q full expression Of opinion, and
wanted the matter to 90 on record.
Alderman Freeman considered the pro-
posed plan impracticable, and not feasible,
hence would record his vote against It.
Alderman Abrams opposed the change,
as investigation bad satisfied him that it
would not be practicable at this period.
Alderman Roberts stated that at the
meeting on Monday afternoon, when the
subject had been thoroughly discussed, the
vote had stood in favor of his ordinance s
n There nrpsnnf M
those who had expressed themselves favora-
bic to the scheme and he was unable to ac-
count for the sudden change Of opinion.
Thy we're all then in favor of the combins-
ton with all its details.
Alderman SchwarZ said he had voted IA
vOrahly for the combination with his detail.
Alderman DOYLE had favored the change
from the commencement, but circumstan-
ces of recent occurrence had induced him to
change his opiBion, and he was now con
vinced it was neither practicable or wise to
make a change. He had voted last night
in favor Of the combination, but for the
reasons given would be compelled to record
his vote against It now.
Alderman Bvck had voted In favor Of the
combination, but he proposed to be guided
by the statement of the Chairman OF
the Finance Committee and the Mayor, and
believing it not advisable to NEEDLE with
AAC bhA AAACulc AOWs WOAAu ACCOAQ LIS hOLG
against It.
Alderman Hamilton stated that his reso-
luton was only for the purpose of obtain
ing the status of the board on the subject.
Those who favored the proposed combina-
ton, but we're deferred from advocating its
adoption now, could vote consistently TO-
this resolution.
Alderman Roberts said all he desired was
to have a record Of opinion on the subject.
N4ad hnl #fa Cd Talo Tie
approved by the Mayor he would not have
introduced it, but he had been Of the Opin-
ion that the Mayor favored the proposed
combination until he learned differently
last night. He understood that the sole OBJ
lection to the ordinance was based upon the
views OF the Chairman of the Finance Com
mittee In regard to the cost. Had he known
otherwise he would not have forced the or
dinanee on the consideration of Council.
The Mayor stated that his opinion had
been, on examining into the ordinance,
that two engines would not be sufficient for
the service, and recent events had convinced
him that it would be absolutely necessary
10 have three steamers in service. Whilst
be did not think the combination OF the
Police and Fire Departments could be com
bined and managed successfully, he should
not have opposed the plan being tried
though, under the ordinance proposed, he
Alderman O'COnnOr was opposed to the
plan, and had been from the beginning, and
did not think the combination would work
at all.
After some further explanations from
several Aldermen in regard to their change of
opinion on the subject, the question was
called and the resolution of Alderman
Hamilton was put before the meeting. The
ayes snd nays were called for, and the re-
suit was as follows:
Ayes-Aldermen Hamilton, Hardwicke,
Byck, Roberts, Guerard ard Sch "arz-6.
Nays-Alderman Doyle, FreeI Abrams
and O'COnnOr-4
Toe resolution was anEOuDc.- S passed.
Alderman Roberts expressed lis thanks
at this recognition Of the labors Of the com
mittee II was all he desired. He did not
like to think that the committee had worked
all this time for nothing. In what they had
done they were actuated by regard for the
best interests Of the city, and were under the
impression that the chief executive OF the
city favored the proposed change.
After some further remarks Alderman
Roberts withdrew his ordinance and Alder
man Schwarz promptly withdrew his sub
stltute, and thus ends for the present NUM-
cipal administration all efforts to combine
the Police and Fire Departments in one
brigade.
No other business being offered, on mo
ton Council adjourned.