The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-29
IT Is STILL UNSETTLED.
THE COUNCIL TAKES FURTHER
TIME ON THE WATER PROBLEM


The Veto Ordinance to Go Over Cnti
the Meeting of the Next Legislature
Alderman Carson's Anti-Caucus Res
olution Stirs Up the Star Chamber
Members-Alderman Cam Thinks
the Secret Caucus System is for the
Change.
The city council took no action last nigh
on the water question, as Alderman Nc
Donough, chairman Of the water commit
tee, was not at the meeting.
The veto ordinance was laid on the table
owing to cloud of doubt as 70 the legality
of such an ordinance under the city's char
ter, and a resolution was passed requesting
the general assembly to confer the right in
terms.
The resolution looking to eliminating the
caucus feature of the council, after discus
sion, was laid on the table, and great deal
of routine work was done. Council adj
journed at IL O'Clock, subject to tue call OF
the mayor. at his suggestion, TO take action
on the water question at the earliest mo-
ment after the return Of Alderman Nc
Donough. There were only two absentees,
Alderman Myers, who has not yet returned
from his bridal tour, and Alderman Nc
Donough, called out Of the city.
THE VETO ORDINANCE TABLED.
Alderman Falligant vigorously opposed
the veto ordinance, and Alderman Cam
inquired of City Attorney Adams if the
council had the authority to confer the
power upon the mayor by ordinance.
Mr.. Adams replied that while there is
nothing in the charter inconsistent with it,
he was not thoroughly satisfied. The
law being silent on that point it seemed to
him that the council could proceed In this
mode. Still he couldn't say his mind was
free from doubt. If sitting as court, he
would hold it legal He advised, however,
that an act of the legislature in November
be obtained to give the council the authority
in terms if it desired to confer the veto
power on the mayor 1t would remove the
doubt, and subsequent councils could not
change il, as they could an ordinance.
Alderman Falligant moved 10 lay the
ordinance on the table, but the motion was
not seconded.
Alderman Cam also moved to lay on the
table. and introduced resolution with his
motion, requesting the city attorney to pre-
pare bill to be presented TO the general
assembly to confer the veto power.
A vote was in progress when Alderman
Carson got the floor, claiming that
the resolution was ambiguously worded,
and that it wouldn't show the
sentiment Of council on the veto question.
With this explanation Aldermen Harris
and Reid withdrew their vote in the
affirmative, and Alderman Carson had the
ordinance tabled and introduced resolu-
ton, which was carried by vote Of to 4,
Messrs. Bailey, Harris, Mills, Reid, Haines
and Carson voting aye, and Messrs. Har-
mon, Falligant, Cam and Nichols voting
nay. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLVED, That the city attorney Is hereby
requested to prepare a.bill to carry out the In
the table, entitled IAN ordinance to confer the
veto power upon the mayor Of the city Of Sa-
vannah."
That notice of intention to apply to the next
general assembly of the state of Georgia for the
passage OF such bill be published as required
by law; and that the representatives from
First district IN the next general assembly are
requested to urge the passage of such bill.
THE CAUCUS DEBATE.
Alderman Carson offered the following
anti-caucus resolution;
WHEREAS. II is desirable that the caucus
meetings of council be not prolonged, and that,
as tar as practicable, all discussions shall be
had in open council, therefore
Be it resolved, That hereafter no business
shall be transacted, or discussions had, in
caucus, against the objection of three members
oil the board present.
caucus it shall be the duty of the mayor to see
to it that such discussions are short and TINT
council proceed into the long room as soon as a
prompt dispatch of necessary caucus business
permits
The resolution was opposed by Alderman
Cam and Falligant. Mr.. Cam said a
caucus is abs lutely necessary. 1t is for
the public coed. 1t is not to the advantage
of newspapers, but it ia for the public good
that the caucus should be retained
Alderman Carson replied that one member
OF council could keep the caucus for hours
when 1t had met to transact public bust
ness. Gentlemen at the last meeting of
council had waited in the long room for two
hours TO be heard, and after the caucus
was over they were kept another
hour, and often people have to go away be-
cause council is closeted in tie caucus room.
He gave notice that if council did not adopt
his resolution he would at the next meeting
OF council move to change the rules SO that
council shall convene in the long room in
open session at 8;15 o'clock p. m. After
having expressed himself in vigorous words
about the abuse OF the caucus system. Mr..
Carson said, in Withdrawing his resolution,
that its Introduction had had the desired
effect, and he should insist hereafter that
the mayor enforce rule seven, which pro-
vides that the council shall convene 10 the
long room at $50 o'clock.
THE WATER QUESTION.
On motion Of Alderman Nichols. the water
question was deferred until Alderman
McDonough can be present and the COM
mittee's report laid on the table. Alderman
Carson gave notice that he would introduce
two resolutions, dividing the question, one
with reference to taking steps TO increase
the supply of artesian water from the
present wells, and the other dealing with a
new plant.
A petition Of the port wardens that here
after only three shall be elected, and in
case OF vacancy between now and the
election it should not be filed, was read,
and Alderman Bailey had read for the first
time an ordinance in harmony with the petit
ton. The port wardens say that the Ocean
Steamship Company has terminated its
contract with the city to visit its vessels,
and the fees of port wardens have fallen off
one-half in consequence.
An ordinance by Alderman Haines was
passed TO its second reading to prevent the
erection OF wooden sheds not to exceed fif-
teen feet in hight on the wharves. Alder
man Falligant sought to amend so that
wooden sides shall not be next to River
street. but the amendment was reported
lost. No division was called for, but the
reporters tailed the vote as tie.
The following resolution of the committee
OF the whole, to whom had been referred
the letter of Col s. II. Hawkins relative to
the excursion of the Alabama State Press
Association in June, was adopted.