The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-15
cHARLEsToN's CITY COUNCIL.
A Lively Fight over the Election of
City Officers.

Charleston, S. c.. Jan. 1.-THE meeting
of the city council which was held to-
night was the most exciting which has
been held in some years.
The meeting began at o'clock and
lasted until midnight. The interest grew
out of the fact that many of the leading
municipal offices were to be filled, and as
an after math of the recent bitter cam
paign, the races made for them were
very close and holly contested.
1t viii be remembered that in the mu-
nicipal election, twelve aldermen were
chosen by the democratic and twelve by
the citizens party. Mayor Smyth, who
was the democratic candidate would, on
a fun meeting, have the casting vote.
With every one of their men in their
seats the democratic candidates would
all be elected but Messrs, Rhett and
Masters. two aldermen elected on the
democratic ticket, have been seriously
i'll for some time, and this gave the cit
liens party, retOrmers and Huger men,
as they are variously called, a majority
Of one on a strict fractional vote
1t was generally believed that no very
bitter fight would be made, except regard
ing the appointment of a chief Of police
70 succeed Capt J. Gilmore Martin. Capt.
Martin is generally conceded TO have made
a good police officer but is also known
to be friend of Gov. Evans and the
mOuthpiece of the administration here.
He was put in Office by the last reform
council; he was i'm sympathy with the
A. p. A. movement, and he was staunch
supporter OF the cltZenS independent
ticket. Under these circumstances, he was
necessarily bitterly distasteful to the reg
ular democracy
It has been reported for days that the
reform caucus had determined to refuse
to confirm any appointment that Mayor
smyth might make, other than Martin.
as chief of police. This was the situation
when council met tonight
The nrst ballot was taken and Capt.
William Aiken Kelley was elected city as
SCISSOR by IA to g. over 5. +. Williams. the
supervisor of registration. who did so
much for the citizens ticket.
Gen. II. A. Huguenin was elected super
ntendent of streets over the incumbent,
Bischoff, who was likewise the citizens
candidate.
Col. c. A. Inglesby was reelected cor
poration council
The boards are said to give the demo-
Gratis a working majority.
When Mayor Smyth made his appoint
ments of police officers, the trouble be-
gan. He appointed Ingram Hazel chief
of police, Heidi first lieutenant McManus
second lieutenant. and Fordham third
leutenant all in batch. and council, by
strict party vote refused to confirm.
Mayor Smyth called attention to the fact
that this left no police officer in Charles
ton higher than a sergeant. The council
then agreed to confirm the lieutenants
separately, but stand to their action re-
garding the chief, by the same party vote.
Mr. HAZEL is a man who has a splendid
war record He is not a partisan in poll
tics, and is said TO have voted for Huger
in the mayoralty race.
There is only one case on record of a
Charleston council having refused to con-
firm the mayor appointments. Charleston
Will wake up tomorrow without any chief
of police to direct her force. Mayor Smyth,
It is said, will stick to his appointment
enough to attend council and provide him
with a majority.