The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-11-01
THE CITYS NEW BOARDS.
THE BILLS FOR THE POLICE AND
THE PARK AND TREE CON-
MISSIONS.

Years. TO BE Appointed by the
Mayor and Approved by Council.
The Park and Tree Commission 10
Consist OF Five Members Appointed
in Like Manner and TO Take Entire
Charge of the Work of Caring for
the Trees, Squares, Parks ana
Grass PIats.
The city bills providing for police and
park commissions were received in At
lanta yesterday. The announcement of
these bills has been awaited with a great
deal Of interest, especially that of the
police commission bill. The bills were
drawn by Col. Garrard, assisted by
City Attorney Adams. They are of con-
siderable length, specifying in detail the
purposes for which they are intended.
The police commission bill provides for
a board of three commissioners to be
appointed by the mayor, subject to the
approval Of the city council. The ap-
pointments are to be confirmed in Deem
Der and the terms Of Office are to date
from the first Monday in January, 1896.
The three commissioners to be first named
are to serve for two, four and six years,
as appointed by the mayor. The subse-
quent appointments will be for six years,
appointments are to be sent in to council
at the regular meetings in December to
fill vacancies occurring in the succeeding
January. Appointments to fill unexpired
terms will be acted upon by council in
the same manner as those for the full
terms. Should the council decline to con-
firm an appointment by the mayor, he
has the power to continue making appoint
ments until an appointee satisfactory to
council has been named.
The mayor has the right to withdraw
the name of any appointee named by him
previous to the appointment being acted
upon by council. To be eligible tsa ap-
pointee must be a citizen of the United
States and resident of the city of Sa-
vannah continuously for one year previous
to his appointment Before entering upon
the duties of his office the appointee is
required to subscribe to the following
oath:
Il swear that l will faithfully and i'm
partially demean myself as a commits
sioner of police during my continuance in
Office, and will well and truly, perform all
the duties of said office. l will not know
ingly permit my vote. in the election or
appointment of any person to position on
| the police force to be Influenced by fear,
| favor or affection, reward or the hope
| thereof, but in ali things pertaining 10
my said office will be governed by my
| conviction of the public good"
1t is made the duty of the board to
/ elect chief of police and such other po-
1 lice officers and policemen as may be
4 prescribed by the city ordinances. 1t will
also keep a record of its proceedings and
| appoint one of the police force to act as
| clerk, The board is TO be organized by
| the election of one of it's members as
4 chairman and one as vice chairman, and
| Is TO hold stated meetings at least once
a month at the police barracks. Two
/ members are to constitute a quorum with
/ power to transact business. The board is
| given general direction and control of the
officers and members of the police force
/ and the general mana cement of the police
/ department and is empowered 10 make all
! needful rules for the regulation and gov
| eminent of the force, not conflicting with
state laws or city ordinances. Suitable
| penalties are to be prescribed, including
suspension and removal from the frocc
/ from office.
All vacancies, including officers, are to
| be filled by the board and the board IS
empowered to fix and determine the terms
! of the officers elected by it. There is to
/ be no Interference, however, with the
| terms of the present incumbents of the
Office Of chief and assistant chief of po-
lice. All sergeants and privates of the
| force, whether heretofore or hereafter
! appointed, are to hold office during good
behavior and until removed by action OF
the board
mo sergeant or private" the bill says,
shall be appointed upon said force save
upon the written recommendation OF the
| chief of police, previously filed with the
! hoard Of police commissioners. No per-
son shall be eligible TO appointment on
! the police force of said city unless he be
a citizen Of the United States, and shall
! have been citizen and resident of the
| city of Savannah continuously for at
least one year prior to his appointment
| of good character and good habits; shall
| have paid all taxes required of him for
the year preceding such appointment
| state, county and municipal-which last
fact shall be evidenced by the production
| of his tax receipts, and shall also meet
| the requirements, looking to fitness and
competency, as may be prescribed under
the rules and regulations Of said board Of
police commissioners"
The board is authorized to appoint suit
able persons as policemen TO discharge
police duties for hotels, railroads, steam
| ship companies, factories and other in
| Stitutions or buildings of like chara cter
| whose salaries are to be paid by the per
| sons in whose service they are employed
The requirements for the appointment Of
| private police are the same as for the
| appointment of the city police.
Section of the bill gives the board the
control of the expenditure of the appro-
priaton made in the yearly budget by
| the mayor and aldermen for the mainte-
nance of the police department The
bills are TO be paid by the city treasurer
| upon acquisitions certified by the chief
| of police and the chairman or vice chair
| man of the board The amounts so paid
out are not to exceed the budget appro-
priaton.
Section requires the chief to make a
daily report to the mayor, as at present.
showing the condition of the force. its
effectiveness and such other information
as may be required, upon printed forms
| furnished for the purpose. The board is
required 10 make quarterly reports to the
| mayor, showing the condition of the force
| and of all public property in its charge
with all changes which may have taken
place during the preceding three months
| The board is also required to present its
! estimate Of the needs of the department
for the coming year in October of each
| year or at such other time as may be
required by the mayor. On Jan. / of each
| wear full and complete report of everv-
thing concerning. the department is re-
| uuired with such recommendations for
/ the effectiveness of the force and the pub
lie good as the board may deem proper.
The board of aldermen may from time
| to time confer such other powers and
duties upon the board not Inconsistent
| with this act.
| The park and tree commission bill pro-
! vides for the appointment Of five com
! rnissioners, one to serve two years two
to serve four years, and two to serve six
| wears, the regular term to be six Years
after the expiration of the terms OF thu
| parties first appointed. The provisions
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