The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-20
THE CITY WON'T HAVE IT.
Mr.. BOCRQUIN WRITES THE
COUNCIL A SPICY LETTER

NOO - I'LL n OF ~ - a -@~@
The Commissioner language Too
Pointed, and BIS Letter Ordered Sent
Back to Him-Alderman Harmon's
Differences with LIT. Bourquin-He
Wanted the Council TO say What
he Shall Do-Alderman Myers Does
Not Think the Members Should Get
Mad ct g Little Criticism.
Chairman Bourquin. Of the board Of
county road commissioners, kept his word,
ard, as the MORNING News of yesterday
announced that he would do, he sent into
the city council last night his letter, which
the council sent back in a jIffy. only one
alderman, Mr.. Bailey, voting against doing
So Mr. Bourquin's letter was ss follows:
SAVANNAH Feb. 10. 1890.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to communication
sent you on Feb. s, have called out the citizens
Of the First distinct to work the Louisville road
within the corporate limits, the said road being
one of the main streets or highways Of the
city. and which has remained neglected for
three months or longer With the means with
in my power, I was able TO repair only portion
of the road ia question, AID the unwOrked part
still continues neglected. have been repeat
edly called on to have the work done, and also
TO have repaired that portion OF Gwinnett street
lying west Of Cemetery street
Before again calling on the citizens 70 come
out and work the streets which should be Kept
in repair BY the city authorities, and for which
the citizens pay taxes, viii again call on your
honorable body to have the necessary WORK
done, and save the people OF the city the annoy
ance TO which they would be subjected
charge the chairman Of the street and lane
committee with knowingly" neglecting his
duty in portion Of the First district. which has
caused this trouble. / learned from him last
evening that lie Intended 70 have me arrested,
which certainly wonld have looked very child
ish and spitefu as was endeayoring TO do
what be had neglected.
The road committee Of the grand jury has
called my attention to the nearly impossible
condition OF tie highway in question, and
should have no official communication from
you on the subject. viii proceed on FEB. IS TO
call out all male residents Of the city subject to
road duty. u repair the main streets or high
ways which have remained neglected for three
months or longer. Yours very truly.
GUGIE BOURQCIE,
Chairman Board Road Commissioners.
To the Honorable the Mayor and Aldermen Of
the CITY Of SAVANNAH.
THE COUNCIL N HIGH DUDGEOS.
Alderman FalIgant explained that the
communication had been handed him as be
came out Of the caucus room. He had no
know ledge Of its contents, he differed with
the writer, and had told him that it was
time to find out whether the city council or
the road commissioners had charge Of the
streets and lanes Of the city.
Alderman Falligant sad that the language
used is disrespectful TO the council, and on
his motion the following language was
entered on the back Of Mr.. Bourquin's
letter:
Ordered 10 be returned 70 the writer with the
Information that a communication On the sub
1ect mentioned, c0uched IL language not disre-
spectful t any member Of the board, viii receive
due consideration
Alderman Harmon stated that he met
Mr.. BourQuin in Lovell's store night before
last. and told him that he wanted the
mayor 10 have Mr.. Bourquin arrested and
fined for interfering with the streets Of the
city IN violation Of the city ordinance. Mr..
Harmon stated that he had done his duty
as chairman Of the street and lane COM
mittee-at any rate, he thought he had, and
his conscience Is perfectly clear in the
matter
Mayor Schwarz interjscted the remark
that, "only one man says you haven't"
EQUIVALENT TO CHARGE.
Mr.. Cam said that If the letter is received
10 was equivalent TO acknowledging that
the charge against the chairman Of the
street and lane committee is true.
Alderman Myers, after council had de-
cided to send the letter back, had the clerk
tue chairman of the street aud
lane committee. and he expressed
the opinion that Mr.. Bourquin meant no
dlsrespect. be argued that councilmen are
public servants, open TO criticism, and that
citizens have right to express their opin-
ions as to the official conduct of their
public servants. If the same language OBJ
Jected to by Mr.. Cam had been directed
against the chairman Of the finance COM
mittee, Mr.. Myers said he would not have
taken it as disrespectful TO council
Alderman harmon insisted that the Ian
guage is disrespectful, and if council be-
heyed 1t. they should appoint a committee
TO investigate his conduct as chairman Of
the street and lane committee.
The Mayor Discussion is not in order
The letter has been passed upon, and to dis
cuss II now motion to reconsider the ac-
ton taken must be made. The council has
not been notified by citizens that the streets
have been neglected"
ALDERMAN HARMON INDIGNANT.
Alderman Harmon said that Mr.. Bour-
quin met him in the street two or three
times, aid told him he wanted the Louis
vile road worked. Mr.. Harmon stated
further, that the mayor and himself went
before the county commissioners, and they
decided to repair the road when they had
completed the Minis swamp drainage, In
conclusion, he wanted to know from the
council whether the chairman of the street
and lane committee or the county road
commissioner has charge of the streets
Alderman Falligant said that he told Mr..
Bourquin that he is opposed to the one man
power sought to be exercised by him over
the streets Of the city, and he denied Mr..
Bourquin's jurisdiction. The council de-
cined to reconsider its action, and Mr..
Bourquin will have his letter returned to
him.