The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-02
The NEW COUNCIL IN CONTROL
MAYOR MELDRIM AND HIS BOARD
FORMALLY SWORN IN.

of CounciI-Scenes at the City Ia
change During the inauguration.
1t Is now Mayor Meldrim and ex-Mayor
Myers. The change was effected yester-
day at noon. In the midst Of a pouring
rain the old administration passed out Of
office and the new administration came in.
Although the rain came down in tor
rents, it did not prevent hundreds of sup
porters of the new administration from
being present. There were as many as
could crowd into the council room and the
hallway outside. The spectators brought
in so much water on their feet and cloth
ing that after the crowd had gotten out
the floor looked as if the rain had poured
down inside the building, as well as out
of it.
Mayor Myers and the members of the
old board of aldermen were gathered in
the mayors office to receive their success
sors. As the members of the new board
arrived they were ushered in and congrat-
ulations and pleasant remarks on me
weather and other subjects were INDUCED
in. Maj. Meldrim was greeted with cheers
as he entered the building. He was given
a hearty handshake by Mayor Myers. The
last member Of the new board arrived JUST
before the clock struck twelve All he
members of the old board were present,
with the exception of Aldermen Hudson
and Tiedemau, who are suffering with
the grip.
Promptly at the stroke Of twelve the
folding doors leading from the mayors Of
fee to the council room were thrown
open and the members of the retiring aud
incoming boards entered together Mayor
Myers and Mayor-elect Meldrim came tirst
arm in arm, followed by the others by
twos. Seats had been arranged around
the council table by order of Clerk Of
Council Manucy in an appropriate man
ner. There were an inner and an outer
row of seats The members Of the incom-
ing board occupied the inner row of seats,
and those of the outgoing board the outer
row. The mayor and the mayor-elect
were seated at the head of the table,
Judge Robert Falligant of the superior
court sat near by.
The official result of the election was
announced by Clerk Manuey. The oath
was then administered to the mayor-elect
by Judge Falligant, the new executive be-
ing sworn to faithfully execute the duties
of the mayor of Savannah according to
the laws of the state TO the best of his
ability and understanding. The same
oath was then administered to the men,
bers of the new board, and the work of
installing the new administration was
complete.
A short address was then made bg eX-
Mayor Myers, in which ne Congratul Ited
the mayor and aldermen upon the conpli-
ment paid them by the people of Savan-
in
their administration of the citys affairs,
and said that the members of the outgo-
ing administration would give their hearty
cooperation to this end. During the two
years which they had held office, Mr.
| Myers said he and the members of his
board had endeavored to fully discharge
| their duties TO the best of their ability. lie
| expressed his appreciation Of the hearty
| cooperation given HIM in his administra-
ton by the members of the retiring board
and the city officials. His only regret
| MIR. Myers said was that some of the re-
forms introduced during his administra-
ton had not progressed sufficiently to give
a fair idea of their value
Mayor Meldrim, in replying to Mr.. My
| ers, thanked him for his kind expressions
| and said that without thinking of or re-
! garding the past the new administration
would deal with the present and the fu-
ture with but one purpose i'm view, the
| end it could be said for him and his board
! that they had done their duty it would be
all that could be asked Of them. He in
! VoSed upon the members of the oetiring
| board and the retiring officers, should
| there be any, heavens choicest blessings
| in their future lives.
Mayor Meldrim then called the board to
order for the purpose of organization. Al
| derman Reid moved that 1t proceed TO the
| election of a chairman and vice chairman.
and the motion was adopted
! Alderman Well nominated Alderman
| Hamilton for chairman. The nomination
was unanimously agreed to and Alderman
| Hamilton took his seat at the end of the
! table facing the mayor The new chair
! man was given a rousng cheer by the
! crowd. Alderman Owens was then elect
ed vice chairman and was also cheered.
| The council then took a recess until $3.50
o'clock After the adjournment the new
mayor and the twelve aldermen received
many hearty congratulations from those
! present
After the congratulations were conclud-
ed and the crowd had dispersed, Mayor
Medrim took his seat at the mayors desk
| in the mayors office. where he discussed
various matters pertaining to the citys
! business with the city officials and mem
bers of the commission Among those
who called was Commissioner of Public
! Works Harry Willnk. MIR. Wil.ink in
/ formed the mayor Of the resignation OF
mis- clerk. Mr.. Thomas Gamble. He also
stated that he would be glad TO receive
! the members of council and its committee
at his Office at any time. explain to them
! the workings of his Office and have them
! inspect his books and the citys work now
! i'm progress. The conference was a pleas
| ant one. and each assured the other OF
| his desire to work i'm harmony in all mat
| ters pertaining to the city's business.
Clerk Manucy spent sorne time in ex.
planning to the mayor the details of the
work of the clerks Office. Mr.. Manucy
informed him that he would be at his ser.
| vice at any time and would be pleased
to give any information in his possession
! concerning the citys affairs which would
| facilitatJ the work of his successor
| Mayor Medrm cordially thanked Mr.. Ma.
nucy for his offer and said that il would
probably be necessary for him TO take
| advantage of it.
1--WE shall address ourselves to tht
present and the future and not to the past
! i'm the administration of the city's affairs
! said Mayor Moldrim TO a Morning New,
reporter just before leaving the office fot
| dinner I desire and expect the hearty co
operation of every member of The com