The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-08-28
MAI. nLANDFORD RESIGNS.
His Resignation Given DIR. Charlton
in Accordance With an Under
sfandfuu

His Resignation Given DIR. Charlton
in Accordance With an Under
standing.
Maj. R. A. Blandford has placed his
resignation as county engineer in the
hands Of Commissioner T. ]. Charlton,
and is now out Of the city on a two weeks
leave OF absence, given him by the board.
which began last Monday night
Maj. BIandfOrd's resignation was not
asked for. but was given voluntarily IN
der an agreement made some time ago be-
tween himself and the board. It will be
placed before the commissioners at their
next regular meeting, which takes place
Sept II, and will be acted on at that
time.
DR.. Charlton. when first seen about the
matter yesterday. was not inclined to
talk, but later he consented to make
brief statement Of the facts in the case.
1t will be remembered that there was con-
siderable discussion among the members
of the board at the time, about a year
and a half ago. when charges of intem-
perance were preferred against Mai.
Blandford by one of its members. Two
of the members, Chairman Dale and
Commissioner Chaplin, favored discharg-
ing the engineer outright, while Commits
sioners Carson, Charlton and Kehoe were
willing to retain him, and agreed TO do
so on his making a promise that the fault
complained of should not occur again.
Maj. Blandford agreed and he was re-
tanned by vote of these three. ma
jOrity of the board. DR.. Charlton re-
/ n ION
Il was willing to overlook the faults of
the man to a certain extent, ON account
of the fact that he is a thoroughly compe-
tent engineer, and had the work well in
hand, on the understanding that he should
not allow himself again to be under the in
duence of liquor. The understanding was
to the effect that if this occurred again
he was to hand in his resignation to the
board. 1t appears unfortunately this did
happen recently and he has placed the res
| ignation in my hands. 1t will be presented
to the board at the regular meeting in
| September and duly considered at that
| time"
DR.. Charlton stated that the resignation
was presented ito him voluntarily. Maj.
Blandford has been quite unwel since last
| July and has been under the'treatment of
a physician. 1t was on a physicians GER
tificate that he was not physical able to
| carry on his work that he was granted a
TWO weeks leave OF absence. MAJ. Band
ford has gone to Asheville, N c., but it is
likely that he will return before the regu-
lar meeting of the board is held
Maj. Blandford has had a good deal to
contend with of late, and he has the
| sympathy of many friends. It is probable,
| however, that the resignation will be ac-
| cepted. Some of the commissioners favor
| retaining Maj. Blandford for the work on
the county map They say that he should
do this work not only because he is a
competent engineer but on account of the
<act that he has had charge Of it for so
| long time that he is thoroughly familiar
/ with it, and could complete it better
than some one who would be new at the
work, and who might know very little
about it in its present stage.
At any rate it is likely that the question
of his successor as engineer on the coun-
| ty work and as the superintendent of the
| convicts will come up at the September
meeting. Mr.. ". A. Dayton, the present
| United States deputy marshal, will no
| doubt be a candidate for the position.
/ He was the engineer in charge Of the
| construction of the water works, has
| had some two years experience in railroad
/ engineering, and was for a long time con-
! nected with the engineering department
| of the city of Boston. Mr.. Percy Sugden,
/ one of Savannah's well-known engineers,
! is also said to be a candidate for the posi-
tomas the resignation has just been made
| public, 1t is likely that candidates will be
numerous before the time for electing
a successor to Maj. Blandford comes
around.