The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-25
BUSINESS BEFORE COUNCIL.
a BOMB MAY BE FIRED AT THE
FIRE COMMISSION.

Their Experimentation street
south of Anderson May BE Given n
Sewcr-The "ShOrtshoremcn" Pc
titiOn For an Easier Method or
Getting ont of the Barracks-COm-
plants Made of the Incessant
Whistle BIowing on the River.
The city councils summer season will
end to-day, the session to-day being the
last regular meeting to be held in the af-
ternoon. Mayor Meldrim and several of
the aldermen are absent from the city
but there are enough members in the city
TO make a quorum, if all attend, as they
doubtless win With a small attendance
it is not likely that any business of i'm
portance viii be transacted.
There was some talk yesterday that a
resolution would be introduced at the
meeting this afternoon looking to the i'm
parchment of the fire com
missioners because of their
failure 10 remove Fire Chief Ma
guire in a reasonable time" as demanded
in the report of the investigating com
mittee of council adopted by that body
four weeks ago. Some of the aldermen
the dismissal of the chief within five days
TO that date and motion to this effect
was made. but voted down. The report
as adopted provided that If af-
ter reasonable time the chief
should not be dismissed, that
the commissioners themselves be impeach-
ed for incompetency and retaining in so
important an office. after notice, a per-
son so conspicuously unfit as the evil
dence shows Mr.. Mcguire to be"
AS this report was adopted four weeks
ago, some Of the members of council
are inclined to think that the reason
able time" referred to has already elapsed
1t is not likely, however, that any definite
action Will be taken by council this after
noon for several reasons, one being the
number Of absentees from the board. As
the investigation by the fire commission
is still in progress and nearing its end a
conservative course win very likely be
adopted by council and the commission
be allowed to finish its investigation be-
fore action is taken by council. If the
result of the commissions investigation
is to vindicate Chief Mcguire, as is not
unlikely council and the commission will
then lock horns. The question of coun-
ellis authority to impeach the COM
mssioners will be the most i'm
pOrtant point to be decided
Anyway, there is a very good prospect
that the fight viii continue until the lesis-
lature meets, when it will be transferred
to that body in the shape Of a bill to re-
peal the act creating the commission.
Alderman Davis will introduce an ordi-
nance to authorize the construction of
sewer on Bull street, from Anderson to
Twelfth street. 1t Is estimated that such
a sewer will cost about 5000. An improve
ment of this character will be hailed with
JOY by the people living on Bull street
south of Anderson. In spite of the unsat-
isfactory condition of the street il is build
ing up more rapidly than any other pOr-
ton of the city. and the buildings are OF
a high class. The old shell pavement is
i'm a di,apidated condition. and during the
last several days the condition of the road
has been very bad. due to the lack Of
drainage. With a sewer laid as proposed
the street would be drained and the pave
ment improved. Next in order would come
sidewalks for which the people on Bull
street, as well as in the southern section
generally, are very anxious.
The colored cotton workers, "shortshore-
men" as they are called, have i'm a petition
requesting some change In the present or
dinanccs regulating the giving of bonds
by prisoners arrested by the police for
petty ofrenses. The petition requests that
the ordinances be so amended that when
parties are arrested for disorderly conduct
drunkenness. and similar offenses, a de-
posit more than sufficient 10 cover the
probable fine may be accepted in lieu OF
bond. At present a $l00 bond is required
In such cases and bond cannot be given
except by an owner of real estate. II Of
ten happens that prisoner has no friend
n.H
bond. Sometimes negroes owning small
amounts Of real estate offer 10 20 bond FOR
prisoners but unless these persons are
known to the officer on duty as real es-
tate owners they are required TO produce
their papers In proof of ownership. which
is often times very announcement
Parties arrested late at night often INA
it . very difficult matter 20 get bond and
professional bondsmen sometimes turn
penny by standing bonds for parties
whom they believe to DE an right
The idea OF the petitioners is that de-
post OF $25. $50 or 500. according 10 the
seriousness of the charge, should DE ac-
copied In lieu of a bond where the pris-
oner or his friends have no real estate.
This would insure the city against any
loss by the possible disappearance OF the
prisoner. they say. IL is said that this
system Is in vogue in Atlanta. Augusta.
Charleston and other cities. As the law
now stands. even a business man cannot
give bond for "a friend or employc unless
hc happens TO be an owner OF real estate.
Messrs j. :. Wood & Bro. petition
council for some relief from the constant
blowing of whistles on the river. The
blowing of whistles by the craft on the
river IS very annoying, they say. as the
whistles are frequent and loug-drawn out.
I'VE would not ask council 10 put them
to any inconvenience" SAYS the
petition, but II there g. any
thing 20 soften the nuisance
the 'softening would be a godsend TO some
of the afflicted victims OF too much noise
IN this ne ghhorhood. These blowers seem
TO he mind readers ana have an intuition
that enables them 20 ten when we are us
ing the telephone and they delight IN blow
ing just az such times
Messrs. Wood q Bros petition will meet
with general appreciation from the mer-
chants on the north side OF the Bay
Moore a co. and Fawcctt q co. have In
a petition for permission 60 put lu a spur
track ON River street, at the foot Of Bar
uard street.
T.. Sanford Ross & Co. want 90 nurebae.