The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-01-17
70 HAVE An INVESTIGATION
The City Council TO Look Into Mr..
GuilmdItil'S Charges.

Some Lively Talk Between Mr.. Gull
martin and Alderman O'Brien-Alder-
man Mcmillan Included in the List.
The Investigation 70 Begin To-mor-
row Eight-The Mayor Says He win
Appoint a Lexow Committee if Neces-
sary.
The only matter Of much interest in
last nights meeting Of the city council
was the O'Bricn-Guilmartin business. Just
as the council was about 10 adjourn after
tranzacting lot Of routine business when
Alderman o. Brien asked permission 20 call
attention TO a circular which had been
scattered broadcast over the city.
81 refer 10 the charges brought by J. r.
Guilmartin * Co." said Mr.. O'Brien. Il
see Mr. Guiimartin in the chamber. The
charges do not state accurately to whom
they refer"
Mr.. OBricn then read an interview pub
Hshed in the Savannah Press with Mr..
Guilmartin and called upon him to state
if the charges referred 20 MIN.
"I have not made any specific charges
against YOU Mr.. O'Bren," replied Mr..
Gmlmsrtin. but I will make them against
you and others If am given the oppor-
tunity to do So"
"ro whom have you referred?" said Mr..
OEricn.
81 do make charges against you,
Mr. O'Bren." said Mr.. Guilmartin, that
YOU and other aldermen have violated the
being concerned in city contracts
II demand specific charges to be pre-
ferred and that this board investigate the
matter thoroughly and completely" re-
piled Alderman OBrien, and that this
charge be not left a smoldering disgrace
] demand that proof be brought TO sustain
these charges. and if they be true l am
willing to be branded with shame and
disgrace. and if they be not true. that the
world may know who the guilty man is
and that he be branped as liar and
slanderer"
Alderman Mills moved that the mayor
appoint a committee to investigate the
charges.
Alderman Wells said he thought 1t would
be well to have a committee of citizens APP
pointed outside of council, Is the charges
had been brought generally against the
members of the board
"If necessary. we will appoint a Lexow
"The time of the present board is short
and II any investigation is to be held,
! viii appoint tomorrow night at
o'clock for that purpose"
Mr.. Guilmartin should be required to
make specific charges before the matter
is investigated" said Alderman Harris
81 demand an immediate investiga ton
whether the charges are presented or
not" Alderman O'Brien announced.
Alderman Mcmillan said that unless spe-
cihc charges were made by Mr.. Guilmar-
tin. he saw no reason why there should
be any investigation.
q told Alderman O'Brien," said Mr.
Guilmartin. that 1 had not made a bulls
eye out of him. but that others had. I
told him that he and others had sold goods
to the city without giving the outside pub
lie chance to bid on them"
81 deny, sir that I have broken any
rule of this council" came quick as
flash from Alderman OBren. I'm my
dealings with the city ! have simply fol-
lowed the rule which l found in force
when | became a member OF this board"
Mayor McDonough requested that Mr..
Gulmartin put his charges in writing
in order that council might proceed with
the investigation.
Alderman Mcmillan did not see what
result there could be to an investigation
unless the charges were made specifically.
Mr. Guilmartin has made verbal
charges, and Alderman O'Brien has de-
manded an investigation" said Alderman
Myers 81 think the matter should be
taken up by council"
Mr.. Guilmartin remarked that he had
heard that Alderman Mcmillan had sold
goods to the city.
Alderman Mcmillan replied that he
never turned away purchaser, no matter
where he came from.
Alderman Harris moved that Mr.. Gull
| martin furnish his charges in writing to
the board within the next thirty-siX hours,
and that the board meet Friday night TO
hear them and the evidence on both sides.
The motion met with the approval Of
/ council, and was adopted.