The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-31
DAYTON ASKED TO RESIGN.
THE REQUEST FOLLOWS UPON
THAT SENT TO SUPT. WADE.

1t is said That Dissatisfac ton
With the Management of the
Chnin-Eang and Road Forces Was
the Reason why the designations
Were Asked FOr-Mr. Wade Says
He VIII Not Send In His Resigna-
fiop-one of the CIcSs Nay Be
Abolished and the other Filled.
County Engineer W. A. Dayton has
been requested by the county commits
sioners TO hand in his resignation by z
O'Clock noon to-day.
This is the same request that was made
of Superintendent of Roads Robert J.
Wade. as the result of the meeting of the
hoard. which was held the afternoon be-
fore.
The county commissioners have them
selves given no reason for their action in
these matters. and in fact they do not
want to admit that these designations
have been asked for. But of the fact
that these two designations have been
asked for to-day by p o'clock there is
no possible doubt.
The county commissioners held another
meeting yesterday afternoon, following
up their meeting of the afternoon before,
for the purpose of taking some action
with regard to the management Of the
chain-gang. AS stated in yesterdays
Morning News, the commissioners at their
first meeting, decided to ask for the resig-
nation of Mr. Wade, and he informed
some of his friends the night before That
he had received a Communication to that
effect from the board
1t is understood that the county en-
gineer's case was not acted on at the
first meeting on account of the chairman
of the chain-gang committee, DR.. I. j.
Charlton, who requested that 1t be de-
ferred 1t is said some question came up
with regard TO which he had had some
Misunderstanding with the county en-
gineer, and he desired to have that set
tied before the matter was finally acted
upon.
AS in the case of the meeting of the day
before, yesterdays meeting was caucus,
and none of the results of 1t were made
public by the board. 1t is understood that
resolutions were passed directing the clerk
of the county commissioners to write to
the two officials mentioned and request
them to hand in their designations to the
board at the hour named, and that a
course has been decided on which will,
in all probability, be pursued in the event
that the designations are not handed in
at that time
The clerk of the board has already writ
ten these two letters. one of them was
mailed to Mr.. Wade night before last,
and the other was placed in the hands OF
Mr.. r. NJ. Butler, clerk to the county en-
gineer, yesterday afternoon, after the
meeting.
The reasons why the designations of
these officers were demanded are not
known. The commissioners of course
have given out nothing with regard to this
matter The officials themselves say they
do not know why the designations were
asked for unless for political reasons. 1t
has been stated, however, that the COM
missioners asked for the designations be-
cause they were not satisfied with the
management OF the county chain-gang
and county road affairs under these OFF,
Gals
So far as the reported charges against
the county chain-gang officials are con-
cerned they may or may not have entered
into the question. Mr.. Wade's name,
however, has never been mentioned in
connection with any of these reports. 1t
is known, however. that there were no
charges against either or any of the Off
Gals brought before the board, and their
personal Investigations in the matter.
1t is stated in Mr.. Wade's behalf that he
was not turned out of Office by the present
city administration as reported, because
he was not a candidate before the pres
ent city council by which Mr.. John Power
was elected to take his place as city mar
shall Mr.. Wade, in speaking of the mat
ter of the request for his resignation, said
st would not be rendered. Why he had
decided upon this course he declined to
say, but he said the reasons for the whole
thing would be given to the public at the
proper time. Other than this he had
nothing to say with regard to the request
of the commissioners.
What Mr.. Dayton may or may not do
in the matter remains to be seen. 1t Is
understood however. that the commits
sioners are determined In the stand they
have taken. and that they mean to have
the designations of these officials. They
have taken no action as yet with regard
TO any OF the other officials in charge of
the chaln-gang forces. and the outcome OF
their present action viii no doubt be
awaited before they do
The commissioners have sent for Assis-
tant County Engineer w. +. Brown, who
is directed to report at their office to-day
to be given Instructions Tor temporarily
conducting the work as county engineer
Mr.. Brown was mentioned in connection
with the Office Of county engineer at the
time Maj r. A. Blandford rendered his
resignation. 1t is not known yet. how
ever, what the commissioners win do
with regard TO this Office
The Office Of county engineer was Great
ed by the county commissioners, and they
have perfect right to abolish it should
they decide it to the county's interests
TO do so. In case their demand is not
complied with. it may be that this course
will be pursued. The other office, that of
superintendent of roads, was created by
the grand jury. and, of course the COM
missioners cannot abolish II. They have
full control over that office, however and
have the right to remove their own ap-
pointee in the Office with or without
cause. 1t would appear from this, there
fore, that the officials in question have
little to do but comply with the request,
or accept whatever results may follow
upon their failure to do so.
The commissioners, it Is expected. viii
hold another meeting this afternoon to
see what is done with regard to their re-
quests for designations, and to take what
ever action may be necessary In the
nrqmigog Some n the eoror,,{ ufapar.- a.