The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-24
NO STREET TAX YET.
ALDERMEN ALMOST FALL OUT
DISCUSSING 1T.


Dodge a Vote by Asking for Post
ponement-A Tilt on the Question
of Allowing Bonf1res in the Squares.
The Gamewen Police Telegraph Sys-
tern-Alderman Can Expresses Him
self Pretty Plainly on the Middle
Georgia and Aslantic's Occupation
of Hutchinson Islandi
Last nights meeting of the city council
was an interesting one because Of several
important questions considered. and the
nassiu9 between some of the aldermen Of
rather tart compliments. The full board
was present, and only half hours caucus
was held
Alderman O'Brieu's street tax ordinance
provoked considerable discussion, and at
one time little feeling between Aldermen
Cam and Myers. After all, the considera-
ton of the ordinance went over until the
next meeting. As soon as the ordinance
was put upon its passage Alderman Myers
moved that it be referred TO the finance
committee to figure on the cost OF
its enforcement. From the first glance at
the ordinance il seemed to him that IL
could not be enforced against any except
those VINO are already taxpayers, and under
these circumstances the intention OF the
ordinance to reach persons now not tax
payers would be lost.
WANTED A CENSUS TAKEN.
Alderman Myers wanted police census
of the malls population taken. 50 as to get
the names of every one liable TO the pro-
posed tax.
Alderman Cam didn't see the necessity Of
referring to any committee. The only way
TO find out how the ordinance would work.
he said, is to enforce it for year. He
didn't see what good a census
would do. As far as he was
concerned. Alderman Cam said, he was
ready to vote on the measure ct once, but
ns others were not he offered substitute to
Alderman Myers motion that action on the
ordinance be deferred until the next meet
log to give time to investigate.
Alderman MCGUIRE opposed any further
delay. Two weeks had been given for CON-
sideration. and he wanted the question
settled one way or the other at once.
sLDERMEN PUT ON RECORD.
On a vote the substitute was lost, and
the yeas and nays were called for on the
question Of adopting the ordinance.
Some of the aldermen demurred, and
said they would have to be excused because
they were not prepared to vote for want of
thorough understanding Of the question.
Alderman Mcclure remarked that If he
had known any of his brother aldermen
were in doubt on the ordinance he would
not have pressed its consideration. Alder
man Mcclure desired to give. each alder
man an opportunity to vote intelligently on
the subject.
Alderman Cam renewed the motion
which be had previously offered as q sub
stItute so as to give the aldermen who,
after two weeks time before consideration,
haI faf Io1 90, ,d,r- and &heo
for further investigation. Alderman Cam
said that some Of the aldermen who were
complaining Of being unable to vote on the
street tax ordinance for want of time 10
consider it, had expressed themselves 10 him
on the subject outside OF the halls of coun-
Gil.
WANTED AN EXPLANATION.
This brought Alderman Myers to his feet.
He didn't like the manner In which Alder.
man Cam put his motion, and demanded to
know from the alderman IL he bad ever ex-
pressed his views. He thought Alderman
Cam ought to give the names Of the alder
men who had expressed the opinions spoken
of. Aldermen Myers didn't want any one
to be in error as to his position. He was
not present at the last meeting and there
2 fore didn't have an opportunity to thor
oughly understand the ordinance.
Alderman Cann replied to Alderman
Myers that he could consider the motion as
he liked. but he did object to any alderman
trying to dodge a vote on important ques-
tions by setting up a claim of not having
sufficient time fer consideration after two
weeks had been given for the purpose.
NEVER DoDGED AN ISSUE.
Alderman Myers emphatically and
warmly declared that he had never tried to
dodge vote on any question. When he
didn't understand a measure he would vote
in the negative.
Alderman O'Brien stepped into the breach
at this time aud said he was willing to let
the consideration go over until next meet
ing 80 as to give every member of the board
an opportunity to vote clearly and intelli-
gently on the ordinance. which, In his opin-
ion. is an important and wise measure.
Alderman Carson thought the best way to
dispose of the question would be laying
the ordinance on the table, and he moved
that it take that course, but no
one seconded the motion. The question was
then called on Alderman Cams motion TO
defer the consideration of the ordinance to
the next meeting, and it was adopted.
THE GAslEwELL SYSTEM.
The report Of the special com
mittee. consisting OF Mayor Nc
Donough, Alderman Haines and Chief
Green, who went to Atlanta Sun.
day to investigate the workings Of the
0dhAeWoA poiACo telegTapn system, was sub
mitted. The report made no recommends
ton and simply stated that the cost OF
maintaining the system here would be s., 49,
per year, without giving the cost of con.
struction.
Mayor McDonough supplemented the re-
port with few remarks, advising its favor,
able consideration en- the ground Of increas
lug the efficiency of the police force. Tn,
system, hesaid, was all that was claimed
for it.
Alderman Charlton moved the reference
OF the matter to the police committee will
power to act.
Alderman Myers objected. He wanted
detailed statement Of thu total expenditur
necessary to put the system In operation
here before he could vote upon ii.
Alderman Charlton, in Difference t.
Alderman Myers desire. amended his mo
tion to refer the report to the police com
mittee to report back to council the ex
pense OF the system in detail, accompanie,
by such recommendation as the committe
deemed proper.
Alderman O'Brien didn't want any della
In the matter. Let the council decide q
once. he said, whether or not the city sha
have the Gamewell system.
Alderman Mcclure backed up his col
league from the First district. The fu
board was present, be said, and no better OF
portunity for its consideration could I
had.
OPPOSED TO HASTY ACTION.
Alderman Cam objected to hasty actor
10 Do nnf 20 thn ID IS a