The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-02-22
AID. SMITH STEPS OUT.
CNE MONTH CON STITUTES HIS
ALDERMANIC TERM.

Officer Brunner's Charges 49, The
Health Officers Statement anc
Alderman Smiths Reply-The Quar-
antine Contract a Good Deal Of {
Plum-Dr. Drummer Claims That AL
derman Smith Wanted to Secure ii
Through His Infuence-Free Talk
over a $1,000 Brioe-Alderman
Smith Tells Why Ee Resigned-His
Possible Successor.
The city has only eleven aldermen now.
Elton A. Smith rendered his resignation
yesterday and it was accepted.
The resignation was the result of charges
of attempted bribery preferred against
Alderman Smith by Health Officer Drummer
at Wednesday nights meeting, in which the
health officer claimed that an
effort was made by Alderman Smith
TO obtain Is influence through bribery IN
securing the contract for dischargiRg bal
last at the quarantine wharves. After an
informal inquiry, the substance Of which
was given the MORNING NEws yesterday, a
formal investigation was ordered.
The city council met at noon yesterday to
begin the investigation, at the conclusion Of
which Alderman Smith rendered his resig-
nation and it was accepted. When the
council met Mayor Schwarz announced that
it would take up the investigation at once.
Alderman Myers moved that Ste
nographic report OF the proceedings
be taken. The motion was agreed TO and
Stenographer j. NJ. Thomas was secured.
The statements of DR.. Drummer Alderman
Smith aud Of Clerk Of Council Rebarrer,
who was one of the witnesses, were made
under oath.
DR. BRUNNER's STATEMENT.
DIR, Brunner's statement was in substance
what be said the night before He detailed
the visit with Alderman Smith to the Sa-
vannah, Florida and Western railway
wharves where they inspected the system
which Alderman Smith employs in unload
ing vessels. ''As we were returning to the
city DR.. Drummer sad, Alderman Smith
turned to me and said: 'Dr. Drummer what
is your salaryF ! replied 81 $50 year and
fees, but the fees do not amount to mucl. |
have intended to ask for $500 year in
crease in salary. You will never get
it, Alderman Smith remarked, but as
far as my vote goes you shall have it; there
Is good deal OF money in this scheme. IL
YOU will advocate my system Of unloading
vessels to DR.. Harris, chairman Of the
health and cemetery committee, / will
guarantee you $1,000 a rear He then
went into details, all Of which do not re-
i
said, You will have to 60 down there two
or three times Il week, and you can act as
foreman for me, bat pers nally, Dr.. Brun-
ner, | don't want to be known in the mat
ter After a little while he said, Doc
tor what do you think of itP |
said would give him an
answer the following day. On parting
he remarked, mum is the word That
night / told a city official what occurred
hot 4 nj III
told BIN that did not know what to do
about i. l told two Cr three aldermen and
the mayor about the conversation few
days later. Alderman Smith said to me
before We parted, sitter visiting the wharves,
that he would come the following day and
an1 get DR.. Harris, ard we would 20 down
to the wharves TO gether. | did not go with
DR.. Harris, but a couple of days after our
visit to the wharyo', Alderman Smith
called at my Office, and l told him that |
could not accept his proposition.
He said he was sorry that | was not
able 10 partake Of tho benefits Three
or four days ago g came TO my office again
aud asked me ii had told the mayor that
he wanted to get the contract. | told him
that | had informed the mayor that he
wanted the contract for unloading the yes
sells. About that time Dr.. Harris drove up
and Alderman Smith sud, 4 am sorry Dr.
Harris caught me here"
THE 81 900 GUARANTEE.
Alderman Baiiey-Did Alderman Smith
quarantine you 81, 900 yeari
DR.. bTunner-Hes, slr.
Alderman CANDID he say that it was
for advocating any schemei
DR.. BrUnner-IU act as foreman.
Alderman HarrIs-Did you feel that you
Were being ofre ed a bribel
DR.. Brunner-Yes sir. ! knew it.
Alderman Harris-Who was the city Off
cial to wnQm you communicated your con-
versatlon with Alderman Smith?
Dr.. Brunnsr-l would rather not say,
Clerk Of Council Rebarer-it was l.
Mr.. Rebarer was then sworn. He said
that some days after the visit TO the quar-
antlue wharves he met Dr. BruEuer by
appointment, and the latter seemed very
much annoyed about something. He asked
him what was the matter, and Dr. Drummer
told him that he had been insulted.
and he did not know whether
to knock the man down or not
Mr.. Rebarer asked who the party was, and
what the trouble was about. DR. Drummer
replied: Il don't wish TO tell you about it,
but II You VIII give me your word Of honor
never 10 repeat II until 1 say so, | will tell
you" Mr.. Rebarer promised, and DR..
Drummer thon told him that Alderman
Smith had offered to bribe him by Offering
hIiu TisOVV year III huulIiOu 10 MS salary
If he would work for his iuterest-by work
ing The quarantine-or 10 tie interest of
such parties as he would ike 10 put on the
wharves. Mr.. Rebarer said: doc
tor, Of course you cannot con-
sider any proposition OF that kind
Dr. Drummer replied that he knew that he
could not, but he did not know what TO do
about tie matter He said: II think |
ought TO 60 uefore the council with it,"
Mr.. Rebarer said: Doctor, | don't know
how to advise you. Dismiss it from your
mind Row. Sleep over ~ d come TO ma
in the morning aud we will discuss itn Mr.
Rebarer said that he thought from the con
versation lie bad with Dr.. Drummer thai be
was going TO make the matter a personal
one.
Alderman Wells--Did DIR. Drummer come
to you the ueKt mornngi
Mr.. Hebarer-Yes, sir; and he said that
be was going to report the matter to the
mayor.
Alderman Wells-Did he report it TO the
mayor!
Mr. Rebarer-I don't know. When
spoke TO the mayor found that he knew
about it already.
Alderman Harris 10 DR.. Brunner-How
long after the conversation with Alderman
smith was it before you reported the matter
TO the mayor9
DIR. Brunner-I don't remember the day.
The mayor says ! told him Thursday. 1t
was either Wednesday or Thursday.
Alderman Smith 10 DR.. Brunner-Didn't
tell you that didn't want 20 have any in