The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-16

DUTY TO say that the same reasons which
prompted the presentation of my resignation
also prevents its withdrawal
am gratifed to say that do not entertain
any illwill toward the honorable the city
council, nor toward any member thereof, and
hope that the administration will be eminently
successful and at its close command the
appreciation of our people generally. In the
attainment of that result such little aid as
may be able to render will be cheerfully ex-
tended. am, gentlemen, very respectfully,
Alderman O'Brien moved that the letter
be received and DIR. Duncan's resignation be
accepted, and the motion was unanimously
adopted.
The board agreed to fill the vacancy at its
next meeting.
POLICEMAN MASTERS CASE.
The most interesting matter disposed OF
besides DR.. Duncan's resignation was the
application OF Policeman T. B. Masters for
the refunding Of Sl6 20 which was deducted
from his December salary because of bis
absence from duty for "a days attending
by the bedside of his wife and child during
their fatal illness. A majority aud minority
report was submitted on the application.
The following was submitted by the major
ity OF the committee:
Your committee on police, to whom was re-
ferred petition of Policeman T. B.
salary for time he was absent at
nome nursing his family. The aiOrity reDOrt
adversely to same. 1t is not amount involved
we object to, for we find Officer Masters
lost 21B months out of eleven last year from
sickness, and was allowed full pay for same.
But to allow pay for reasons now given by him
woph open gateway to fraud. and establish a
precedent that would in future cost Savannah
thousands or dollars. MERRITT W. DIXON,
HERMAN MYERS.
ALDERMAN HAINEs DTssENTs.
Alderman Haines. chairman of the police
committee, submitted minority report as
follows:
l feel constrained to dissent from the report
OF the majority of the committee on police in
the case OF Officer Masters
understand that this report is based upon
the rule recently made which causes police men
to be docked who are absent, or claim TO be alb
sent, on account of sickness, and that this rule
has grown out OF the fact that this excuse has
been not infrequently abused. While / can
understand the reason for the rule l take il
that it is but rule, to which there may be ex-
ceptlons ana which does not require a blind aud
servile adherence in all cases aud without Quail
tication L regard this case as an extraordi-
nary one, which clearly justifies departure
from the rule.
The reason for the rule cannot apply, because.
in this case, the providential cause was real
and bona fde, was of q controlling character,
and the officer is not only fortified with the GER
tlticate OF the attending physician, but also the
permission of the chief of police, who recoR-
niZed the necessity Of the officers absence and
granted him his permission. Under the evil
dence IN this case and under the investigation
OF the committee, there is no room for doubt,
and, as | understand it, no doubt exists In
the mind of any member Of the committee of
the fact that the officers child and wife were
both critically Ill at the same time, that by
reason OF his wife's condition she was unable to
| give the child the necessary attention, under
the advice of the attending physician and under
| the facts the officers presence was absolutely
required at the bedside of his child and the off,
Ger would have been unnatural had no hesltated
to discharge this duty to his child Even IL a
| hired nurse were proper substitute for a
father under such circumstances, the officers
compensation did not permit the employment
of a nurse and he was compelled to be with his
child or let him suffer for necessary attention.
The fact that both his child and Mrs Masters
died the latter following quickly the former
shows that they must have been both critically
| i'll and must have both demanded the officers
presence. IL seems to ME that these facts show
an extraordinary visitation of providence and
call for departure from the rule.
GEORGE y. HA1NEs.
Aldermen Wells moved the adoption OF
the majority report without any comment
THE MAYOR DEFEATS ROUNDING.
Alderman Haines moved as a substitute
the adoption of the minority report. He said
that under the circumstances of the case
where mans child was dying, his wife
unable from illness to care for the little one
and a demand for either his own presence
constantly, or that Of trained nurse, which
| Policeman Masters was financially un
able to provide, it did seem to him TO be
| only a matter of humanity that
the money deducted from his salary for
| such absence from duty be refunded him.
| Alderman Haines appealed to his brother
members OF the council to take the case
| home to themselves consider how they
would feel to lose part of a salary OF S65
and act fair with Policeman Masters but
1 a,a1-w 81.
| Close Observance OF the rules OF the police
| department, irrespective of sympathy, was
the motive which controlled the six votes
| against Alderman Haines' motion.
The vote was by yeas and nays on de-
mand of Alderman HAines, and resulted in
a tie, Mayor MoDonough deciding ID il
favor OF the majority report. Here is th
/ record
YEAs-Aldermen Haines, Mcmillan
| Screven. Harris and Caun.
| NAYs-Aldermen Dixon, Bohau, Mills
! O'Brien and Wells and Mayor McDonough.
AFTER THE CENTRAL RAILROAD.
Health Officer Drummer communicated &c
the council a resolution of the sanitary
board calling attention to the fact that the
| Central Railroad Company had failed t.
| put its wharf property in proper sanitary
condition, although notified several times
and urging the council to take the matter
I AL hAH0 az O1Ues
Mayor McDonough said the company had
been notified in December, and again last
| week by Health Officer Drummer, but
nothing had been done TO abate the
nuisance He suggested shat the city do
something at once, so as to get the place IL
proper condition by May l.
Alderman OBrien wanted the aldermen
to go into committee OF the whole lmmedi-
ately and order the work done.
Alderman Wells thought the legality OF
the city's right TO enter q persons property
| should be carefully looked into first.
| City Attorney Adams said he had no
doubts about the city's rights in the prem-
Uses to do the work, even though the prop
erty is in the hands OF a receiver, but be
suggested a reference Of the health officers
letter to the committee of the whole for
action at some future time, in order that
oil necessary legal authorities might DO pro-
| cured as to the city's rights.
On motion of Alderman Wells the matter
took that course, with an agreement thai
the authorities Of the Central railroad be
INVITED to meet with the committee.
BIDS FOR TIE PooR's MEDICINE.