The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-24
OFFICES TO DISTRIBUTE.
PROBLEMS BEFORE THE NEW
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Talk of Combining the Offices OF
superintendent of COnvicts and
superintendent of Roads and Put
ting the County Works Under Two
Nen-Mr. W. II. Chaplin PrOmi-
nentIy spoken of in Connection
With the POsftiOn-Dr. }. &. FARRELL
viii Oppose DIR. T. II. Chisholm For
County Physician-NO Opposition
to the other Officers, Elected by
the Board.
Considerable interest surrounds the com
ing Inauguration of the new board of
county commissioners on Thursday, March
L. particularly on account of two prominent
county Offices over which there will be,
in all probability, interesting contests.
There was some talk of postponing the
election of officers by the board, until
the regular meeting on March 10, but some
of the members Of the new board are in
clined to have them the same day they
take office and that course will probably be
pursued.
The new commissioners are Messrs. J. j.
Dale William Kehoe, f. S. Lathrop, T.
Newell West and s. Guckenheimer. The
two first are members of the old board. In
spite of the fact that the new commits
sioners say they have had no caucauses,
or meetings for the purpose of discussing
their coming actions, there is considerable
talk going the rounds with regard to can
didates for some of the positions which are
to be filled by them. one of them said
that the new commissioners had not even
talked the matter over among themselves
at any time, and that he had only had oc-
casion to speak to one of them about these
matters, and then only casually, and with
out result
With regard to the county works there
are two courses open to the board In the
first place there is one that has been per-
haps most discussed, that of combining
the Offices of superintendent of convicts.
and Superintendent of roads and bridges,
and putting both under the supervision of
one competent man. The second course is
the appointment of an official for each of
these places.
Mr.. W. F. Brown now has charge Of the
works as well as the care of the convicts.
he having been made acting superintendent
OF public works at the time County Engi-
neer Dayton left the county's service The
position made vacant by the resignation
of Superintendent r. J. Wade of the coun-
ty roads has never been filled. 1t is not
contemplated that Mr. Brown shall be dis
turbed. He has proven himself an able and
energetic official in discharging the duties
OF county engineer, and will in all proba-
biiity, be retained in charge of that work
Still, thoweVer, tn ere are two offices va
cant, that of superintendent of convicts
and superintendent of roads ~
If it is decided to combine these two Of
fees it is said Mr.. w. f. Chaplin, a mem
Der of the old board of commissioners will
probably be a candidate to fiji It, In fact
1t has been currently reported that at least
three of the new board would vote for Mr..
Chaplin in case he would accept the posi-
ton. Mr. Chaplins able work in super
intending the paving of the county roads,
acting as chairman of the committee on
roads and bridges. has commended him TO
many who think the county would do well
70 retain him to carry on that work
There Is one member of the new board at
least, who will oppose him on political
grounds, Mr.. Chaplin having been on the
other ticket, but it cannot be foretold now
what difference If any, this may make.
me combination of these two offices will
put the county works under two. instead
OF three men, and it is said will likely re-
suit IN saving of about $500 year In sal
aries. Mr.. Jos. Clay has put in an appli-
cation for one of these positions, but which
one, IS not known, as his application has
not been opened. Then Messrs. Alfred
Chisholm and Martin Cooley are known to
DE candidates for the position of superin-
tendent of county roads.
IL is said the only other Office over which
there will be a contest is that of county
physician, now held by DR. Il. Il. CHS
holm DR. Chisholm has been county ply
sician under two boards. 1t is said this
Tune he will have an opponent in DR.. j.
q. FARRELL, one of Savsnnahs well known
young physicians.
The other county officers, Mr. j. w Nc
1ntlre. clerk, Mr.. ]. r. Saussy, attorney.
and MIR. w. +. Brown, engineer, will no
doubt be reelected without opposition,
The new board will probably hold a eau
Gus within day or two and reach some
conclusion as to the county works and
also as to the contested offices, so that ev-
erything win pass off smoothly on the day
OF the meeting. Some of the new commits
sioners have recently taken a look over
the works. and are getting an insight into
what their duties will be when they have
to get down to committee work
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