The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-10-22
COMMISSIONS MOI WORRIED.
SAY THEY WERE NOT SURPRISED
AT THE COUNCILS ACTION.

Have No Doubts of Senator Gciger,
They say, and Declare That Their
Friends in the Legislature Will
stand by Them-GubernntOri"
Fight Expected 20 Cut Il Figure.
Fire Commission Hearing to Come
lin BEFORE Judge FnIIigant To-
morrov-Mr. 4. :. Way added TO
the Counsel For the Commission.
The resolutions adopted by council We'd
nesday night, condemning the commissions
and taking steps to bring about their re-
neal did not fail ike a thunderbolt upon
the friends of the commissions. 1t had
been anticipated that some such action
would be taken by council and consequent
" there was no surprise
The resolutions simply amount with
them to a formal announcement that the
fight Is on, and that each side must look
TO its laurels. What steps have been TAX
en- by the commissions and their friends
to uphold their end at the coming session
of the legislature, is not known. That some
steps have been taken, and some assur-
ances received is evident from the fact
that the commissioners evidence no great
concern at the determination of council to
fight them.
Members Of the commissions, who were
seen yesterday, seemed to take it for
granted that the lines would remain prac-
ticaly as they were drawn at the last ses-
sion of the legislature, and the friends
who befriended them then would stand by
them again. They have kept in touch
with their friends In other portions of the
state it is said. They also declare that
there is no possibility of Senator Geiger's
acceding to the request of council and
helping to turn down the commissioners
whom he supported so strongly last year.
Unless all signs fail, there win be polit-
zeal maneuVering in abundance at the
coming session of the legislature in the
interest of the various candidates for gov
ernor and the state house positions. The
local fights will then naturally become
side issues of the fight for the control of
the state, and local legislation will depend
to a considerable extent upon the faction
with which the members seeking such leg
islation have allied themselves. 1t is the
old game of politics based upon the highly
moral principle of you tickle me and
tickle you.
There will doubtless be any number of
new deals and politics will doubtless make
lot of strange bedfellows. Everybody
remembers that the Citizens Club people
were strong advocates of Atkinson three
years ago, and the people who now COM
pose the Liberal Club were for the most
part equally strong opponents of the pres
ent governor This continued until the
last session of the legislature, when there
was a sudden swapping of corners. Gov.
Atkinson's ambinton to become senator
caused a new deal all around. The three
Liberal representa- ives from Chat
hoo ma q
the governor, while the Citizens
Club leaders who were work
ing for the election of Mr.. w. w. Osborne
as solicitor generGl, became Atkinson s
bitter opponents They charged that the
governor had turned Willie down." and
they claim that they secured their revenge
by keeping the governor out of the sena-
torship. 1t is generally understood that
Gov. Atkinson is the guiding genius Of the
Terrell campaign. Whether the Liberals
will be with the governor in this move or
whether they will seek other affiliations
remain to be seen. With the several can
didates for governor in the field, there
may be a queer mix up. No matter which
way the tide turns, it will help to put gin
ger in the next gubernatorial campaign,
especially so far as Chatham county Is
concerned.
The argument in the litigation now go
ing on between the city council and the
fire commissioners will come up at 10
o'clock tomorrow morning before Judge
Faligant of the superior court at which
time it is expected the case will assume
another phase. Every possible effort Is
being made by the commissioners to
win the fight and in addition to the coun-
sci which they had already employed, Hon,
f. G. duBignon and Mr.. A. A Lawrence,
they have also employed Mr.. a. s. Way.
The step taken by the commissioners in
employing Mr.. Way who was pronounced
in his views against the creation of tho
commissions and who affiliated with the
Liberal Club, is thought to be intended
as an indication of the fact that the com
missioners now have many sympathizers
who were formerly in the opposition.
When seen by Morning News reporter
and asked about the matter Mr.. Way
stated that he had been employed by the
commissioners to represent them as asso-
ciate counsel in the litigation. and that
his retainer had no relation whatever to
politics. 1t is his opinion that the city
has no right to try the commissioners,
and he believes that the commissioners
will be sustained in the courts.
One of the trainers of the bills Great
ing the commissions was asked as to the
intentions of council at the time the
bills were drawn. He was not inclined to
express an opinion, but went so far as to
say that the prime object was to ALLEVIATE
the city departments from politics, as far
as possible. The idea of council was Ito
create separate and distinct bodies, which
should be Independent of council in so fa+
as the conduct of the work of their de.
partments is concerned and to place them
beyond all political influence in making
appointments to offices.
The probable course which the matter
will take tomorrow has been the subject
of much talk by the political factions. Still
il is not settled that Judge Faligant will
announce his decision at once il beius
possible that he may defer it for some
time. The attorneys, however, do not
think this will be the case, and are in
clined to believe that the decision will be
announced at the completion of the argu.
ment.