The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-11-01
IN AND ABOUT THE CITY
ALL RIGHT AS IT Is.
This Law Regulating the Appointment
of the County Commissioners.

missionership an elective Office by the
people does not seem 70 be a popular one,
at least with majority Of the representa-
tive business men and property owners Of
the county.
OF twenty-five representative citizens
whose views were asked yesterday by
MORNING NEWS reporters, eighteen are In
favor Of the law remaining as it is-that is.
the recommendation of appointments TO the
governor by the grand jury.
The first man run across was DIR. Fan-
CANT, and. as usual the doctor had an IDEA
of bis own. He said: Generally prefer
the democratic principle Of home rule, but
am somewhat in doubt on this point. II
the county commissioners could be
elected by the property taxpayers
it would guarantee the election
of a conservative body OF men.
Some check is advisable. II qualified voters
at large were allowed to elect two members
and the property taxpayers two and the
| board OF education one, it would be good
| plan, and no one class would have sufti-
Gent influence to control the body and all
| interests would be well represented.
| Capt. ID. g. Purse came along Just at this
time, and In respon.e 10 a query said: II
prefer that the Law should stay as it is now,
We have too many elective officers now"
| Maj. g. ii. Ryals stepped up just then,
and was asked his position on the question.
az am not willing to commit myself" he
said, 'as have not had time to study the
question. There are a good many advo.
Gates of the bill l believe the taxpayers
| should be given due consideration"
| y. Guckenheimer SAID: II prefer that the
law remain as it is. The grand jury ought
to know who is suited for the position"
Herman & Kayton expressed themselves
as in favor of election every time. "Eigh-
teen to "a men on a grand jury do not re-
present the public sentiment" said Mr. Kay
ton. Public opinion is usually correct"
Joseph Ferst-I believe the present
style is the best 1t is the most satisfactory.
think
H. nj. Comer-Whichever plan will give
| US the best commissioners
Capt. Henry Blum think the people
| are competent 70 select their own commits
sfoners. We ought not to be dictated to by
| twenty -four men
j. p. Williams-I am inclined to believe
| that the law as it now stands cannot be
bettered. The grand jury is composed of a
| representative set of man, and are qualified
| to select for the people. The Office is an
| important one, and the present method
| takes the election of the commissioners out
| OF politics was one Of those who agitated
the change from appointment direct by the
governor to appointment on recommends
". L
with the law as 1t is.
J. A. G. Carson, in the same Office with
| Mr.. Williams, said: II favor the bill |
don't believe in leaving the affairs of the
| county 70 eighteen men. Elect the COM
| missioners direct"
Col. w. W. Gordon reviewed the question
at some length and said in substance: II
| believe the present method is by far the
| best manner OF electing county commission
ARG Il wn1nu ar.eA al Al
change from direct appointment by the
| governor to the present method. The
| grand jury is the selection of the very best
| citizens of tie community, and
| is likely to be more conservative
and to feel more responsibility
| in making recommendations than would be
| the case where the candidates came before
the people and were elected by popular
vote" Col. Gordon said that the grand
| jury should only be composed of the most
| responsible men, as their work was of the
| highest importance.
| John R. Young said: 1.-THE popular idea
is to elect all officers by the people and the
bill will probably go through, but for
| Chatham county think the present method
| is the BEST"
| John Lyons-I am in favor of the peo-
| pie electing all officials.
| Gustave Eckstein said: 81 am in favor of
1 O1OCOAbh SOulLulSSAOU6IS ny Ills DoODl6.
| However, l think the terms of office should
be at least six years. While the grand
| jury is generally a representative body of
citizens, and their recommendations for
| county commissioners so far have been of
the highest order, prefer the other mode,
and believe all officers should be elected by
the people,
| A. Vetsburg-I believe that we can have
a better set OF county commissioners by the
-, lot
the matter were left to the vote of the peo-
pie. am opposed to any change.
Lester Hubbell-I am always in favor of
a popular vote for all offices.
Il. A. Weil-Under the present system
the county commissioners are recon-
| mended by the best citizens of Savannah
and think it is the proper mode of select
ing them. 1t is free from politics, and am
satisfied we get better commissioners than
If left to vote of the people.
| William Kehoe said: "Put me down as
| opposed to any change of the present sys-
tenn The board is now free from politics,
and we have representative men. 1t would
be setting a bad precedent and after
awhile would probably be brought to bear
on our board of education as well as the
county commissioners"
| Jacob Rauers--I am in favor of letting
| matters stand as they are at present. Keep
1 =" "a POAaeASos ohA WO WAL uoNO COAuDc-
| tent men.
| 8. L. Lazaron-I don't think the sys-
tenn OF electing all county officers is either
necessary or essential. Our grand juries
are supposed to be intelligent and repre-
sentative bodies, and l think the present
system of appointment the proper one.
| A. Z. Harmon-I am emphatioally OBJ
posed to any change from the present sys-
tenn. 1t is the only way to get competent
| men.
| Alderman Haines--I don't see why a
change is wanted. The grand jury ia q
representative body, and the question should
be kept out of politics.
| Col. Peter Reilly think the present
system is the only proper method. If the
| commissioners fail to do their duty grand
| Jurtes will not hesitate to replace them.
| am opposed to any change.
Louis Lippman-I think it would be the
better plan to let the citizens elect the
county commissioners l am in favor Of
the change.
S. P. Hamilton-I don't see any reason
for change. 1t is better to keep this mat
ter out of politics, and then we are pretty
sure to have competent county commits
| sioners
Andrew Hanley-I don't see why they
should not be elected in the same manner as
the other county officials. am in favor Of
the change.