The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-04
ALDERMAN CAM RESIGNS.
His Retirement From the City Council
Is Not a Surprise.

Was Spent-The Police Investigating
Committees Report.
Alderman w. G. Cam rendered his
resignation as member of the city coun-
Gil last night. 1t created no surprise, as
the alderman had already acquainted the
members Of the board with his intention,
and it was known that the resignation
would be presented last night.
Alderman Cam announced several
months ago that he would resign as soon
as the completion of the new water works
was reached and the accounts settled up.
He has had almost entire charge of the
supervision Of the new water works
from the inception of the plans down to
the final completion of the works and the
ascertainment of the exact cost. His re-
port, submitted to the council last night,
is brief but complete statement of the
work
A hush fell upon the council as Clerk
Rebarer began the reading of the resig.
nation. 1t was as follows:
ALDERMAN CAEN's LETTER.
Savannah, Ga, Jan. 2, 1so4.-Hou. John j.
McDonough, Mayor, City: Dear Sir-I beg to
tender my resignation as an alderman of the
city OF Savannah. 1t is with regret 1 sever
my oflcial connection with your administra-
ton, and beg to express 10 yourself and
each member OF the board my sincere appre.
citation of the many kindnesses received by
me during my association with you all Re.
spectfully yours, w. @. CANN.
There was a silence of minute after
| the reading of the letters. The member
felt that the resignation was final but no
one wanted to make the motion to accept
| it. The silence was finally broken by
Alderman Myers, who moved that the re-
signatiOn lie upon the table and that a
committee 10 consist of the mayor and
three members of the board be appointed
! to wait upon Alderman Cam and to urge
| its withdrawal.
The resolution was adopted unanimously
and the mayor appointed as the commit
tee to serve with him under the resolu-
ton, Aldermen Myers, Mcmillan and
! Wells.
NOT LIKELY TO RECONSIDER 1T.
The committee will call upon Mr. Cam
| in few days and urge the withdrawal
of his resignation. There is very little
| likelihood that they will be successful in
their mission, however.
1t is well known that Mr. Cam
| has had this step under consideration for
some time, and had he not finally made
up his mind, it is hardly likely that he
would have taken the step. There is nc
| doubt that If the almost unanimous wish
| of the business community, as well as
that Of his fellow members of the board
were needed, the resignation would be
withdrawn at once.
With the resignation of Mr. Cam, the
! city loses one of its most active servants
| There has been no member of the council
of recent years who has served the city
! with better results than Mr.
Cam. During the several years of
| his service to the city, he has
| given his time, and has devoted a
| careful and intelligent consideration To
every subject affecting the city's inter.
member of the city council. His
familiarity with the workings oil
every department. with which he was
! connected and his careful investigation Of
every detail was noted among his associ
ates.
| A WINNING ALDERMAN.
When he took position upon any mat
! ter coming before council it was under
stood at once that he was thoroughly
acquainted with his subject and could ad
vocate or defend it with ability. His
Judgment was generally respected anC
upon the more important questions con
sidered by council during his several
terms of Office. the records will show
that as rule he was upon the successful
side.
Mr.. Cam is a member of the committees
of the present council on water finance
streets and lanes, special committee or
railroads, and special committee on open
ing streets. With the workings of all
these important committees he was
thoroughly familiar. He gave a great
deal of attention to the subjects of street
| improvements and the opening of streets
in the new section, and his work il
these departments has been acknowl
edged by the present chairmen of both
| committees.
1t was on the committee on water, O.
| which he was chairman, that MIR. Cam
| accomplished his principal work for thu
city. The new systems of waterworki
speak for themselves.
THE wATERwoRKs REPORT,
The following report upon the compile
ton of the new waterworks was submitted
to council by Chairman Cam last night
Savannah, Ca, Jan. >, 1S94.-Hon. John j
| McDonough, Mayor OF savannah, Ga: Sir
beg to submit herewith a final report upoI
the new water works. The total cost of The
works complete is $40 6602l, and is exclusive
OF interest on deferred payments and cost Of
widening Styles avenue, neither of which d,
| l consider proper charge against the con
struction OF the works. The first named item
in being in lien of bond issue auC
the latter for permanent widening OF street
The original estimate was 1894, 800. The scop,
OF the work was subsequently enlarged
causing an increase in the cost of the wells
buildings and forcing main. The other items
have been completed within the original esti
mates. There remains unpaid bal
ance OF S!,sS6l0 on the roof the con
tractors not having completed il accord
ing to the contract. The balance of tn,
amount due, S5S,6sS, is represented by notes
given the Holly Manufacturing Company, anC
John Rourke & Son, for deferred payments oil
engines and boilers.
The main features of the works were com
pleted some time since. In fact the city ha,
been supplied from these works exclusively
since April last There remains
however, several details In connection witt
the building and machinery which have pre-
vented complete report until the present
time. 1t gives me great pleasure 90 be able
TO report that in every respect the desires
and hopes Of your committee have been full
filled by the system OF water supply l nov
ofncially turn over to you as completed. We
went into once with an insufficient
supply OF artesian water, pumping machinery
both incompetent to perform the worl
required and expensive as to operation, az
undesirable location of works neceSsitating
force main of great length, causing seriou.
loss OF pressure from FRACTIONAL resistance
and OF insufficient size to properly meet the
demand of our city. We now beg to present
you one Of the best and most com
this country. An abundant supply of arte
sian water, duplicate pumping machinery o.
the most improved and economical pattern &
! forcing main Of amDle size NOT arlv for o,,i