The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-01
THE COMMISSIONS DEPENDED.
Another Chapter ON a Much Dis
cussed Subject,

Editor morning News: L am thoroughly
convinced that newspaper controversies,
like campaign speeches, never convert
partsans, and do not anticipate that this
communication will ever interest those
who, like "Modoc." are unreasonably de-
voted to the interest of a political fac
ton composed of a minority Of the white
voters of this city and county, and who
are striving so earnestly at this partlc-
ular time to have repealed what the think
ing people of our city believe to be the
wlsest legislation enacted for a genera
ton, viz, "the commission laws"
The communication of "Modoc" in a
recent issue of the Morning News contains
so much of sophistry and illogical rea-
soning that those who have not given
much thought to the several commission
laws, and the theory of commissions gen.
orally, are apt to be misled by the fol-
lacious argument presented. Commissions
and commission laws are not new in this
community. They have existed here be-
fore either the Citizens or Liberal
Club had an existence, and have worked
very satisfactorily to the great masses of
our people; consequently they are not the
"beneficent theory" or the pet legisla-
ton" of the Citizens Club, as Mode
WOulO nave our people DelleVe.
Has "Modoc" ever thought of it, and,
II so. does he fail to remember that we
have pilot commission" said commits
sion having been created by an act of
the Georgia legislature, and the members
thereof being appointed by the mayor and
confirmed by the city council, the terms
of one expiring every two years, as do
the terms of the police, fire and water
commissioners? But, then, there is no
patronage attached to this commission,
and therefore, there is no necessity for
abolshing it.
Has he forgotten the board of "sani-
tary commissioners also appointed by the
mayor? Why not let the aldermen dis
charge the duties of the commission? No,
MOI Another commission without patron
age. There is no necessity for repeating
that law.
Has he forgotten the board of educa-
tion?" Another commission, and in my
humble opinion, the most important of
them all. A commission that is not respon-
sble to the mayor and aldermen, because
not appointed by them, except in the case
of the Massie school commissioner, nor to
an Outraged people," because the dear
people have no voice or vote in their Sc
lection, nor TO any power under Gods
heaven because said commission is self
perpetuating body.
Why not abolish this one If commissions
are SO injurious to the welfare and pros
perity of Savannah? Must we attribute
"Modoc's" silence to the fact that the
majority of the personnel of this body be-
long to the faction of which he is so
able an advocate?
Have not these commissions existed for
years?
Now as to a few facts relative to the
Commission bills and as to their public
ity prior to being enacted into laws.
of IA q
directed by the laws of our state, but
copies of the bills were furnished the
newspaper reporters and if not published
in full, a synopsis covering the most inn
portant features were published in the
Morning News. No doubt the great amount
of space necessary for the full publication
was the cause of the newspapers failing
so to do.
'Modoc" grows very felicitous in his
criticism of ex-Mayor Myers comments
on the fact that at the recent munich
pal election the ticket headed by Mayor
Meldrim received over 70 per cent. of the
negro vote, and intlmates that to this class
of voters the ex-mayor owed his election.
Facts are stubborn things. At that cleo
ton the majority for Mr.. Myers was 643.
The negro registration being a little over
800, and "Modoc' knows as he is well in
formed on other subjects, that the opposi-
ton ticket received at least one-half of
the negro vote.
Is II not also true that at the democratic
primary held prior to the Myers election,
conceded by all as having been the fairest
election held for years, that the entire
Citizens Club ticket, with forty-three
names thereon, was elected by over 800
white majority?
Is it not also fact that the leaders of
the Citizens Club and majority of the
county democratic executive committee
| endeared to have the Liberal Club people
go into a primary of white voters for the
state and county election last year, but
were met with a refusal?
Here was an opportunity to have an ex-
preston of opinion on the issues that dl-
vided our people. And yet "Modoc" would
have us believe that because a city admin
istration has been elected by majorities
ranging from 10 to 225, with a registered
negro vote of over 1000, said officials hav-
ing received over rs per cent. of this vote
that there has been a terrible uprising of
an outraged people in condemnation of the
commission laws. Savannah,
ARREVIU.EsS nOTNGS