The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-10-10
THERE is HARMONY NOW.
WALTER A. DAYTON ELECTED
COUNTY ENGINEER.

The Minority and Majority i'm the
Commissioner Combined and
There Was Only One Vote Against
Him-He VIII Take Charge as soon
as He Gives His BOnd-The Duties
OF the County Engineer Defined by
the BOard-Mr. Dayton a COmpe-
tent Engineer and VIII, no Doubt,
Give satisfaction.
Mr.. Walter a. Dayton. the present
deputy United States marshal will take
the place of Mai. r. a. Blandford, as
county engineer. as soon as he gives the
required bond and qualities for the posi-
ton. He was elected as Mai. Blandford's
successor at the meeting of the county
commissioners yesterday afternoon.
The election of a county engineer was
the first thing taken up by the commits
sioners. Commissioner T. J. Charlton
moved that the applications be opened
and that the commissioners then 90 into
committee of the whole to discuss them.
The applications before the board were
from the following: Paul LeHardy Of
Alabama, W. F. Brown, Percy Sugden,
John s Bowen, J. deBruyn Hops and ".
A. Dayton.
The commissioners retired, taking re-
cess. in order to talk the matter over
among themselves. They were out al
most an hour. and when they returned
they proceeded at once with the election,
by secret ballot. Four of the five ballots
cast were for Mr.. Dayton, and one for Mr.
Bowen. Commissioner Charlton's vote
was cast for Mr.. Bowen, the four others
having agreed, after a discussion Of all
the candidates before them, on Mr.. Day
ton
This. It would appear draws new lines
among the members of the board, and
now the old minority and majority are no
more, unless 1t may be said that Commls-
sioner Charlton will constitute minority
he not having voted with the other COM
missioners. The election Of new engl-
heer will, no doubt. bring together the
much talked of minority and majority,
and the board will undoubtedly be better
able to be harmonious on the work 1t mas
one of the commissioners said with re-
gard to the matter that the selection OF
Mr.. Dayton was entirely satisfactory 10
the board. He said that the member VINO
did not vote for Mr.. Dayton did not urge
any strenuous objection 10 him, but voted
for Mr. Bowen simply through preference
He thought it would result in a more sat
isfactory condition of things all around.
The clerk of the board was instructed
10 notify Mr.. Dayton OF his election, anu
he win do so to-day. The engineer IS re-
q.
according to the resolution on the subject
passed at the last meeting or the board
Is to be at the rate of 5000 a year. Mr..
Dayton will undoubtedly qualify at once
and be ready to take charge OF the work
by the first of next week. Maj. Blandtord
term of Office under the resolution accept
ing his resignation was to terminate as
soon as his successor was elected ana
qualified
The board also took up the question of
the duties of the county engineer. lie IS
rn1 n ulreeIlOn
supervision of the public WORKS OF the
county under the jurisdiction OF the COM
missioners, to have immediate charge OF
all convicts, the camps and farm, and the
guards and employees, TO receive orders
only from the board or a majority there
Of to make monthly reports az least OF
the condition of the departments under
him. and to employ and be responsive Tor
the necessary assistants. lie Is held res
ponsible for the proper use and care on
the public property in his charge LOT the
careful guarding, humane treatment ana
efficient working Of the convicts over
which he has charge. He must approve an
requisitions from any of the departments
under him, and make rules and regula-
tons for the general conduct OF the pubie
business and submit the same 70 the boafd
for its approval He must make a dally
insDection of the work in progress, ana
pay frequent visits 10 the camps and farm,
see that special attention is given 10 the
physical and sanitary condition or the
conYictS, and all possible means used TO
prevent escapes and casualties. This sum-
mary of the duties OF the engineer was
adopted by the board unanimously.
An order was also adopted directing
the present county engineer to turn over
to his successor in Office all the papers,
books etc, connected with his depart
ment and also providing that the county
engineer should have full and free ac-
cess to the maps in charge of the chief
engineer of Typographical survey, and
that he should be furnished with any in
formation from them that is necessary
TO his work
The selection of Mr. Dayton to I'LL this
position will be extremely gratifying TO
his many friends. He is an engineer
of considerable experience and undoubted
ability. He was for a long time con-
nected with the city engineering depart
ment in Boston, was engaged for two
years in railroad engineering, and came
here to take a position under Capt. o.
NJ. Carter in the employ Of the govern
ment He was the engineer in charge
of the construction of the Savannah
water works, and has had experience
in other lines, which equips him for the
duties of the office which he Is to as
sumo He will no doubt fill the office
and perform all its duties to the entire
satisfaction of those who elected him
TO il.
ENCRoACHING ON WATERS ROAD.