Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-01
THE CITY COUNCIL.

THE CITY COUNCIL.
Regular Meeting of the Board-Interest-
ing Proceedings-City Treasurer Cope
Resigns-HIs Resignation Accepted
Investigating the City Government
There was lively stir among the spec
tators in the Exchange Chamber last
night when the folding-dOOrs OF the Mayors
room We're thrown open and the Mayor
and Aldermen appeared and took their
seots. The rumOr that the result Of the
investigation of the City Treasury would
be presented TO the Council had been
widely circulated, and all the available
seats inside the railing were quickly filed
and the entrance blocked with lockers
on. 1t was expected the proceedings
would possess more than usual interest.
At $3.50 the session was formally called,
Hon. Rufus T. Lester. Mayor, presiding,
and present Aldermen Wilder, Hamilton,
Hamlet. Minis, Nichols, Wells, Nell,
Derst, Green, Hanley, Thomas and
O'COnnOr.
The Council proceeded with the usual
order Of business.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
The Committee on Accounts reported
for approval bills amounting in the aggre-
gate to SlO072 50. The report was re-
ceived and the accounts passed for pay
ment.
The special committee appointed to re-
wise the rules for the government of the
Council reported. recommending the adop-
ton Of the rules already in force, with
slight changes conforming to the new code
of the State. The report was received
and the rules as revised were adopted.
The Committee on Water Works re-
ported favOrbly a petition of sundry
citizens Of O'Neill ward for water supply
on Sims street, and the report was
adopted.
PETITIONS.
The petition of Catherine COrbett for
compensation for injuries to cow re-
ceiyed by falling into a defective sewer,
was referred to the Committee on Streets
and Lanes.
The petition of L. b. Clay for privilege
to bore an artesian well was referred to
the Committee on Pumps.
Several petitions for sewer connections
were also referred to the same committee.
The application Of the Sesqui-Centen-
NAL General Committee for funds to aid
in the celebration was read and action
indefinitely postponed.
Petitions for the erection Of new
buildings, approved by Fire Committee,
were read and granted.
RESOLUTIONS.
4 resolution was adopted authorizing
the Clerk to order 300 copies of the Rules
OF the Council printed for the use of men,
bers.
A resolution by DIR. Mcfarland, Health
I officer, providing for the purchase of virus
for vaccination purposes was adopted,
and a part of the same resolution prOVld-
/ ing for the building of additional wharves,
was referred 10 the Committee on Docks
I and Wharyes for estimates Of cost and
/ plans and specifications, the committee to
/ report at the next meeting of the Board.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Clerk read the following:
SAVANNAH, GA, January 81, 1888.
! 10 the Honorable the Mayor and Aldermen
0f The CitY Of Savannah:
demonstrations the apparent
/ irregularities in the books of the City
/ Treasury, which will require thorough
and exhaustive examination, extending
/ over a long period years, and which VIII
require considerable time to trace out and
/ correct. and not desiring to embarrass the
present Council and Finance Committee
I i'm the collection and disbursement of the
/ resources of the city. hereby tender my
/ resignation of the office of City Treasurer.
As soon as your Finance Committee
/ shall have ascertained and determined
( what are the Irregularities actually exist
/ ing L will be at your service to do all in
| my power 10 explain and correct the same
/ and to make good any errors properly
! chargeable to me.
Very respectfully, JAMES +. COPE.
The resignation was accepted.
A communication from Washington
Steam Fire Engine and Hose Company re-
Questing the presence of the Mayor and
Aldermen at their annual ball next Mon
dav evening, was read and the invitation
accepted.
A resolution WAS adopted authorizing
I the Clerk of Council TO publish anOtice of
I election fOE a new City Treasurer, vice
/ James f. Cone. resigned. and also au-
I thOrizing the Finance Committee TO NIL
/ the vacancy till the new Treasurer be
| elected.
RESULT OF THE INVESTIGATION.
/ The Clerk read the report of the Com
mittee on Finance giving results OF the
I Investigation Of the Treasury, and the
! Council received the report and author
/ lied the committee 10 continue the eXaml-
nation.
! The standing committees of the Council
/ were empowered to adopt measures 10
I ascertain the status of each department
/ of the city government under their con-
I troll.
I Alderman O'COnnOr offered a resolution
authorizing the appointment of commit
/ tee Of five 10 Investigate the various de-
partments with view of ascertalnlng the
propriety of a curtailment of the expenses
/ Of the city government. The resolution
/ was adopted. and the Mayor appointed the
following committee: Aldermen O'COn-
nor. Minis, Wells. Hamilton and Wilder.
1 statement from the Corporation At
( tornev In regard TO the sale of certain lots
! in O'Brien ward was read by the Clerk,
I and the attorney was ordered to proceed
I with the matter in accordance with rec
I OmmendatiOn.
/ Mr.. Murphy asked to be hear;;, and re-
duested that the petition presented TO the
/ Council by him be read. The Clerk pro-
/ ceeded with the reading of the petition,
which was postponed incomplete until the
/ next meeting of the Board.
The Mayor called the attention of the
/ Council 10 the existing vacancy In the
Z Board of inspectors of Naval Stores, and
/ the Clerk was authorized TO advertise an
election TO I'LL the Vaeancyy and also to
| the ordinance authorizing the Mayor 10
| appoint two representatives Of the Board
I Of Education. one from the Board Of
/ County Commissioners and the other
/ from the Council. In compliance with
I the provisions of this ordinance, Alder
man s, =. Hamilton representing the
| Council and X, y, Walker representing
| the Commissioners, we're appointed to
act with the Mayor as &c 0Etci0 members
I of the Board.
Alderman Hamilton explained the un-
| authorized expenditure of small amounts
for the purchase of shrubbery planted
about the city school, and furniture for
the use Of the Superintendent of water
works. and Ola motion the bills were passed
for payment. The Council adjourned.