The morning news., 1889-04-23

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| had intimated that there were schemes on
| foot, the mayor asked the alderman the
definition of the word scheme" DR.. Falli-
CANT replied that "a scheme is usually an
undertaking involving an outlay of money"
and when further questioned as to whether
any scheme is now on foot, he replied that
there is a scheme now on foot involving q
! considerable outlay, and that he would give
his views OF it when it came up in its regu-
lar order in council.
Further conversational discussion ensu-
ing. Alderman Falligant declared his readi-
ness to meet any issue presented; and when
it was suggested that in DR.. Falligant's
comments about the reduction proposition
made by the Brush company there was left
an inference of something possibly wrong
going on, the alderman gave an account Of
the proposition made by Mr.. Robinson,
representative Of the Thomson Houston com
pany of Boston, to himself, to Alderman
Wells and to Mayor Schwarz.
Alderman Wells said that he considered
the Thomson Houston system somewhat in
the light Of that of the Savannah and Dub
lin Short Line, or a kindred wild cat ar
rangement The proposition of the Brush
company had not passed from the hands OF
the board. 1t had been made to the street
and lane committee to double the lights at
the same price if the contract expiring next
January ysar was renewed for five years.
1t was not the desire Of the committee to
publish it to the world, but it expected to
accept the proposition.
PRETTY STRONG LANGUAGE.
Alderman Wells danied that there h2d
been any job iu the letting of the electric
light contract. as the language of the OBJ
jectiouable article would infer. Any such
lnsinuatiOn, he said, is lie.
Alderman McDonough asked what was
fba pf uu Vpban the contract lat
Alderman Haines replied that 1t was let
after an advertisement for bids.
Alderman Wells added that electricity
was cheaper than gas.
Mayor Schwa1z said that Alderman
Faili2ant wouldn't have known anything
about the proposition if he had not told
him of it, and he added: 81 wouldn't have
told you if | had thought you would have
blabbed it out in the newspapers. ! won't
stand any such insinuations."
Several members insisted that Alderman
Falligant should introduce his resolution at
once, but he declined, saying that he wanted
time to consult with his counsel, and that
ne would Introduce a resolution at the next
regular meeting Of council which would
cover all that council had the right to in
quire into.
Dr. Falligant reminded the council that
no alderman. under the rules, could be in
terested in any contract, whereupon Alder
man Myers urged that Alderman Falligant
introduce his resolution at once. Alderman
Myers said that although he owned a little
stock in the Brush company when the CON
tract was awarded, yet the price Of light
then was as low as in any other southern
city. If the people want aldermen who
do not hold some stock in different enter
prises vita which the city has
to DEAL" said Alderman Myers, "they
will have to get all their alder
men from the country This Alder
man Falligant took as a thrust at
him, as he is known as the country
member, and he resented it by saying he
was as much interested in the city as
Alderman Myers, and possibly as much SO
as any other alderman. He had a resi-
dence here occupied part Of the time as such,
besides other property and might have sued
the city for damages sustained in an acci-
dent occasioned by the incompetency Of
one Of the employees of she Brush Company.
NvEsTIG ALTON CALLED FOR.
Alderman McDonough insisted that there
was no reason for Alderman Falhgant to
ask time to present his resolution.
Mayor Schwarz-Write out your resolu-
tion for investigation.
Alderman Nichols-It would require
under such resolution a court martial for
every member of council.
Alderman Myers to Dr. Falligant- What
grounds have you to base your statement
on. Have you any reason to suppose that
any member of the board was interested in
a job in the electric light contract.
Alderman Falligant-I don't propose to
act until | can confer with counsel. Ihave
public and private rights that cannot be de-
MED me, and one of them is the right to
consult counsel as to how the resolution
shall be worded. This board has no right
to put me on trial on short notice, and then
not without bringing a specific charge
against me.
Alderman Nichols-You put US on trial
Alderman Falligant-I have not charged
any bribery. | said that the figures for the
light contract were very high, and in look
ing into this matter l feel that | am doing
the taxpayers a service. The whole tone of
my interview discloses on my part an effort
to ascertain to the fulles1 measure what is
for the benefit OF Savannah. This, sir, is
my right and duty | did not come into
this board as the representative
of a4y alderman herein l
came here as the repre-
sentative of the people Of Savannah. | did
not come here to have my mouth bridled,
but to conform to the rules of this body in
the performance Of my duty as an Alder
man, and outside Of its councils to have my
free right rs an American citizen to use my
intelligence for the public welfare in such
manner as that intelligence shall direct.
ALDERMAN M'DoNOUGH's RESOLUTION.
Alderman McDonough then introduced
the resolution above, and intimated that
complaints came from those disappointed
with the places assigned them on commit
tees.
Alderman Falligant called Alderman Nc
Donough TO order, making the point that
he had no right TO refer to the motives
which actuated members. DR.. Failigant
opposed the resolution. The council had no
right, he sRid to single him out as it had
done. II was meant for vote Of censure,
and as such was a violation Of the good
faith Of the pledge given him at the
opening OF the discussion that there should
be no action.
Alderman Nichols called DR.. Falhgant 70
order, as the question" had been called
for, but the latter said that he was on the
floor on question Of privilege, and he
would not be chJked down.
Alderman Bailey said that there ought
10 be a penalty for a violation Of the resolu-
ton" but Alderman Cana said 1t is only
a request and II an alderman hasn't a sense
| Of decency, you can't enforcs a penalty.n
The resolution was then put, under the
| objection Of Alderman Falligant, AID was
adopted, after which the doctor again toos
the floor and demanded as bis right 10 have
his protes' recorded against the resolution,
as its passage was violation Of the good
| faith Of the council.
The mayor and members Of the board
said that it was only a suggestion for the
future, when DR.. Falligant said if that was
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