The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-29
WHY He WENT OUT.
ALDERMAN DUNCAN GIVES HIS
REASONS TO THE PUBLIC.


Donough's Request That DR.. Duncan
Run on His Ticket-The Doctor De
MES He Tried TO Keep the Committed
IN Dark About His Position.
The MORNING NEWS presents TO its read
ers this morning Alderman Dunoan's card
20 the public giving his reasons for resign
ing from the city council. It clearly covers
everything connected with the matter. II
is as follows:
SAVANNAH. Jan. %, 1898
To the Citizens Of SdUdnndA:
sense Of selfrespect having impeled me to
the resignation OF the Office Of alderman, 10
consequence Of the proceedings OF the city
council at its installation on Jan. % !
PROM tly placed the same in the hands OF MS
honor the mayor on the afternoon OF that day,
TO take effect, so far Rs was concerned, I'm
medlstely.
A grateful sense Of the obligation feel toward
my fellow-cit zens for the compimen airy vote
bY which was elected, imposes upon me the
further duty OF making known 70 them the rea-
sons why could not continue IN the discharge
of the trust committed TO me. The simple TACT
that majority Of the aldermen constituting
the present board failed in accordance with a
long established precedent TO elect me chair
man Of the board, could well reconcile 70 my
self, as stand upon record opposed 20 the idea
that the alderman who receives the highest vote
should for such reason necessarily be made
chairman Of the board and thereby constituted
the mayor pro rem. in the absence or disability
Of the mayor, and that opinion still entertain
Under such convictions, / could and would
have cheerfuily supported any nominee whom
the board saw ft TO elect; aye further, taken
pleasure in making the nomination, were such
nomination predicated upon a simple preference
of an individual. But the adoption by the
board of aldermen Of deviation from
by Alderman Mcmillan In the nom
ination OF Alderman Mills. with the subse
Quent explanation by Alderman Cam OF his
reason for voting in favor thereof, convinced
me that the action Of the board was the result
of q prearranRed plan, which in operation
tended at the very outset TO impugn my LOYALTY
to the administration, and the existence OF
Influences which l felt would practically pre-
clude the full and proper discharge OF the duties
incident TO that position. The refusal of the
board to follow the precedent by electing me
its chairman was, therefore, no incentive TO my
resignation, but the implied dstriIst impeiied
me to a severance OF all official connection with
them. Whatever construction may be put
upon the proceedings Of council, the inevitable
conclusion exists that gross injustice was per-
petrated in Withholding from me any intimation
of their contemplated action. Honestly con
nat cause for am any THAT w. there of CON
fidence in me. nor any valid reason whatsoever
that precludes the fullest trust in my represent
ing the public interests to the best of my
ability and understanding upon the Rldermanic
board, it is not only proper but incumbent upon
me 70 lay before you the circumstances or my
candidacy, limiting what l have TO say to such
matters deemed necessary for me to state, and
in as simple and plain manner as possible.
Several weeks, possibly two months, previous
TO the late municipal election ! was visited by
committee representing a meeting Of many
citizens OF the Fourth militia district, with the
request that would become a candidate for
alderman a. the election in January ensuing
Duly acknowledging the compliment thus ex.
tended, stated IN response that, while proba-
bly, / would accede 70 their request
j would not commit myself positively
thereto, preferring not TO accept a candidacy
IN advance OF auy action which might be taken
by the citizens at large. Nothing was said to
me as to any candidate for mayor aud | knew
not OF any preference OF such committee or Of
the meeting they represented, nor was there
apy tntmation that my nomination was pred
Gated upon any basis other than the expressed
wishes that should serve them as an alderman,
nor did 1t ever occur to me that it was in the in
terest OF any particular candidate
for mayor. The matter remained In abey-
ance until after the meeting OF citizens
which nominated the Hon. ]. J. McDonough for
selection, when / was called upon by one of
the members Of the previous as well as present
board OF aldermen Alderman Haiues, commu-
nicating the desire of Mayor Mcponough that
would serve on the board Of aldermen with him
subsequently,, His Honor Mayor McDonough,
In person, expressed the same desire to me, con-
drming IL afterwards more emphRticallY to
Others. related to Alderman Haiues the cir
oumstances OF the request from the meeting OF
citizens of the Fourth district through the COM
mittee alluded TO, and stated that l felt
1t incumbent upon me first TO SEQ some
member OF that committee as an act of court
esy, and in any event following that my posi-
ton should be unmistakably defined before Civ
ing him alderman Haines) any definite answer
as % my Willingness TO comply with the request
OF Mayor McDonough. At this time IL first oc-
Cured TO me that the committee who
had waited upon me represented
meeting which was also in the interest
OF Mr. Harmon in his candidacy for mayor.
ia conference with member Of that commit
tee, received the assurance that my nomina-
ton on as many tickets as might be named
would further their wish to have me elected an
alderman. Being free from any possible con
lecture of acting in opposition TO the wishes of
that meeting, conveyed by the committee who
had been first TO approach me, made favor
able response through Alderman Haines TO the
request OF Mayor McDonougb.
Realizing also that Alderman Harmon had
rendered signal and efficient services TO the city
in his official capacity alderman, felt thatI
could serve cheerfully with him, if the citizens
should elect him TO the position to which he as
pred. IN this connection, beg to say that Mr..
Harmon himself never invited me TO accent n
candidacy upon the ticket with him, nor di 4 any
other person representing him. The ONLY noti-
ncation OF my connect on with that ticket was
on the afternoon preceding the day of the
election when was called upon by member of
Mr.. Harmou's committee for a subscription
In aid thereof, to whom replied that / would
not give any subscript whatever, but that
would willingly pay my share of the proper ex-
penses incident to the campaign. gave like
answer to the member of the campaign com
Inittee of Mr.. McDonough. who had also asked
for subscription several days pre-
VIously. and have since paid
10 both representatives the small amount
due rom me in all proprltt and no more. on
he day after my resignation from the board an
offer OF return of the money paid by me was
made through the same representative of the
campaign committee Of Mayor McDonough,
which, II is hardly necessary for me to state,
declined TO receive. for what reason such offer
was rendered, do not know. None was as
signed, nor did ask for any.
Some time after the committee Of twenty-five
citizens, charged with the nomination of a
board OF aldermen TO serve with the Hon. j.
J. McDonough had determined upon the
names they would submit for ratification by
meeting OF his friends, a delegation of three
gentlemen called upon me with the announce
nIent Of this action and stated that my name
was one of those selected by them. Prior to the
consideration OF any papers which were then
submitted for my information. and without
any knowledge or ntimation of their contents
took occasion volu tarily TO express my high
appreciation of the administration Of Mayor
McDonough and my hearty accord with him in
the enforcement of the ordinances Of the CITY
and informed that delegation of my intention to
cast my vote in favor of his reelection. In
regard to the very vigorous enforcement Of the
Sunday law as applied to saloons, l expressed
proving any inducement to persons TO violate
an ordinance and then render them amenable
10 punishment therefor. l had already ex-
pressed the same exception to Alderman
Hainee. Ny opinion TO that effect
Is simply my honest conviction, and
while ] am aware that a number Of my
fellow citizens entertain a different view