The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-14
FIGHT OF THE COMMISSIONS.
THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE TO GO
BEFORE THE SENATE TODAY.

The Opposition to the Repeal to BE
Concentrated in Behalf of the
commissioner of Public Works
DIR. Duncan's POsitfOn-He Does Not
Relieve senator GeiEer Will Ac-
tivIy Oppose the Repeal Bills.
Mayor Myers, Aldermen Screven and
Tedeman and Clerk of Council Manucy
left for Atlanta last night for the pur-
pose of appearing before the committee
on corporate of the Senate in oppost-
ton TO the bill repeating the act creating
the office of commissioner of public works.
This is the only one of the bills repeal
ing the commissions, introduced by Mai.
Meldrim, which has reached the Senate.
1t is understood that the fight is to be
made on this bill and upon its success or
failure will depend the fate of the other
commission repeal bills.
Col Garrard, who was to have accom-
panied the committee of council, was un-
able to go on account of his very sick
child. Mayor Myers said that the
committee will remain in At
lanta only to-day. and will re-
turn to Savannah tomorrow morning.
which he has had prepared, showing the
operations of the several departments
under the control Of the public works com
missioners with comparison with the re-
suits of previous years. Statistics may
also be presented as to the operations of
the other commissions, though the argu-
ment will be chiefly confined to the bill
against the public works commissioner.
Mayor Myers was asked if he expected
to make an address before the committee.
Il do not expect to make an address,"
he said. Il shall simply make a plain
business statement, giving facts and fig
ures. The facts concerning the commits
sions are what are wanted and do not
think the Senate has been made acqulint
ed with them. l shall quote the figures
presented by Col. Garrard in his address
Friday night especially as relating to
the commissioner of public works.
The work of the other COM
missions will be referred to briefly If
at ALL | shall also give them some facts
of interest concerning the commissions and
the sentiment of the people here towards
them as 1 view it,"
mayor myers QOeS not DtlieNt NHdl Nilt
commission bills will pass the Senate.
IF they are favorably reported by the
committee to which they have been re-
ferred they will not pass the Senate" said
he. I'VE have received very encouraging
reports from there"
Senator Geiger passed through Savannah
Saturday morning on his way to his home
in Bryan county and the supporters of the
administration were very much pleased at
what he told them Senator Geiger Is con-
fident that none of the bills will pass.
Il do not see what argument the repre-
sentatives can make in favor of the pas
sage of the bills" said Mayor Myers, Eek
cept that they want them pass
ed. That is the only argument
they have so far as 1 can see.
When the acts creating the commissions
were introduced In the legislature they
were published in full by the newspapers,
and not a single protest against any of
them was made by the leaders of the pres
ent Liberal Club or any one else"
If the bills repeating the police, fire and
water commissions are also brought be-
fore the Senate, the committee of council
will probably make another trip to At
lanta.
There is the greatest interest here in
the action of the legislature upon the
commission bills on account of the bearing
which, it is generally considered the re-
suit will have upon the coming city cleo
ton. The passage of the bills introduced
by Maj. Meldrim would place the election
of all the city officers in the hands of the
next council.
Mayor Myers and the committee had
some very peasant company on their trip
to Atlanta. DIR. William Duncan and Hon
J. ]. McDonough, having engaged berths
in the Atlanta sleeper. The representa-
tives and the aldermanic committee un-
doubtedly dwelt together in unity for one
night, at least after they passed Macon
Probably as the outcome of this happen
ing together of leaders, Savannah may
hear some more rumors of compromises
and all those sorts of things which are
often seen on paper for moment, like the
snowflake on the river.
DIR. Duncan was seen by a representative
of the Morning News and asked about the
local legislation.
Things are moving very slowly in the
legislature" DR.. Duncan said, "and there
are a great many measures before both
bodies which may not get through. In
view of the approach of the time for ad-
journment the House has just appointed
steering committee of five to so over the
bills now pending and decide upon the inn
portant legislation so that il can be gotten
through at this session, Our local bills,
with the exception of that with regard to
the commissioner Of public works, which
is now before the Senate, have just passed
their second reading in the House, and
whether this committee will consider them
of Importance enough to take up and push
through. / don't know. They will all be
looked after, however, and we will doubt
less get our share in the final result"
DIR. Duncan was asked about the bill
repeating the law creating a commissioners
of public works for Savannah, and what
stand 1t was thought Senator Geiger of
this district would take with regard to 1t.
II do not know what the Senate will do
with the measure" he said, but / think
il ought to pass. 1t was passed unani-
mously by the House and it seems to me
under the circumstances the Senate
should have no hesitancy in the matter.
II don't know what Senator Geiger
will do, but l don't believe he Will &C
lively oppose this or any of the other To-
cal measures. though he may vote against
some of them. 1t would hardly be deco
Gus in him to actively oppose any of
these bills, coming as he does from an
other county, and these being purely local
measures growing out of local issues. II
they were questions In which his district
was interested, he would have the right
to take a very decided stand. but under
the circumstances / do not see how he