The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-07-22
TO GET At THE FACTS.
The Time Of The Proposed Police
Investigation.

The Police Committee 60 Be Called
Together at Once and to Get at Its
work-The Purpose of the InvostiRa-
ton and How Il Will Be Conducted.
Mayor McDon6ugh said yesterday that
he will call a meeting of the police com
mittee 70 begin the Investigation Of the
police department according to the resolu-
tons OF council at its last meeting, in a
day or two. The mayor said he did not
know what line will be followed in the
investigation or exactly how the commit
toe win go about its work. The members
of the commmee, he said, win
give their ideas upon the subject
when they meet, and plan of investiga-
ton viii then be mapped out.
He thinks the committee will be
ready to report at the next meeting of
council, Wednesday week
Mayor McDonOugh does not appear TO
expect any important results from the
Investigation by the police committee
He is strongly of the opipiOn that his
police ordinance, introduced by Alderman
O'Brien at the lastaneeting Of council,
solves the situation and would enable the
mayor TO put the police force In rood con
dard. He believes the chief evil of the
present condition Of affairs to be the
number Of incompetent men on
the force who cannot be gotten
rid of without preferring charges
against each one separately and giving
him the benefit of IA trial. Some Of the
men objected 10 never do anything to be
tried for. That is Just the objection of
the mayor. They never do anything
I,a ~, ~ how met
the kind Of men he wants TO get rid of.
SIMPLE MEANS WANTED.
Mayor McDonouoh wants the police or
dinance in such a shape when a member
of the force is not performing his duty to
the satisfaction of the chief, or is guilty
of any misconduct, he can be notified by
the chief and If hedoes not improve can be
dropped from the force without more ado
Under the present regulations the men
are enlisted for three years, and
unless a man is tried and discharged for
misconduct, or resigns, he is likely to
serve his full time, though he may render
very poor service to the city. A mans
health may also unfit him for duty, but
he is carried on the roll until his time is
up unless he resigns, thus prevent
the appointment of q man who could do
full duty
The mayors ordinance would give the
council the power TO reorganize the force
at any time, with the exception of the
chief and assistant chief Every officer
and private could be discharged if coun-
Gil was so inclined.
The only point that is objected 10 by
some of the aldermen is that the mayor
could discharge any sergeant or private
at any time with or without cause. This
they object to as putting too much power
in the hands of the mayor.
None of the aldermen think that
Mayor McDonough would abuse the
power conferred by the ordi-
nance, but they say this power
might prove very bad thing in the hands
of q different man. 1t is probable that
the ordinance will pass in modified
form, or that some ordinance of a sim
liar character, extending the mayors
power over the police department will be
passed.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.
All of the aldermen who have been spo-
ken to on the subject agree that there is
room for Improvement in. the police de-
partment The memb ers of the police
committee, however, disagree with May
or NfcDonough on many points. They in
tend to direct their attention TO imme-
date evils rather than a general manner
of dealing with the subject.
"A ul0blOn Will pfOOaDly DC maze TO
censure Chief Green for the lack of eff
cheney and discipline which is said to
exist In the department, and some of the
aldermen do not hesitate to say that they
would like to have the chiefs head.
II is not likely that Chief Green's resig-
nation will be asked for, as it is not
thought that the council would take such
a step at present. The chief attack will
be upon Chief Green, however.
This is likely TO precipitate a lively
fight in council as Mayor McDonough is
known to be favorably disposed towards
Chief Green, and to have a high opinion
of his fidelity and efficiency in the per-
Torrance of his duties.
The members of the police force are
considerably stirred up over the coming
investigation, and 1t is claimed by some
that an Improvement has already mani
tested itself in the manner of performing
their duties 1t is said that they are
more careful il their dress and pay more
regard to discipline than they did short
while ago The investigation is not like
ly to do any harm, even If it brings about
no important results.