The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-11
MAY REACH A COMPROMISE.
COMMISSION FIGHT MAY TEHMI-
NATE By AGREEMENT.

A PropoSItfon said 10 Be Under Con-
Alteration TO Repeal the Fire, PO-
lice and Park and Tree Commits
sions, Retain the Water Commits
sion and Commissioner of Public
Works and Reduce the Number OF
Tax Assessors to One, Retaining
Assessor OsbOrne-FIre Chief Ma
Euire's Head would Go In the Bas-
ket. But Chief MeDermOtt Would
Probably Retain His Place.
VIII the fight in the Senate on the city
commission bills be averted by compro-
mise? is the problem which is being weigh
ed in the minds of the leaders of the
two factions.
The question of compromise has been
very delicately handled and so far the
rank and file Of the two factions has not
been made acquainted with it. Neverthe-
less, it is stated on good authority that
there is compromise in the air. What it
will amount to cannot be said, but the
matter is under consideration.
It has been noticed of late that neither
side was apparently making any prepara-
tions for the fight before the Senate and
the compromise business is taken to &C
count for this apparent apathy.
A compromise naturally includes doing
away with some of the commissions and
the retention of others. The proposition,
said on good authority to have been made
by the leaders Of the Liberal Club to their
opponents in this: To repeal the fire, po-
lice. and park and tree commissions, retain
the water commission and the commission
or of public works, and amend the tax as
SCISSORS bill so as to have only one as
SCISSOR. appointed for six years. Mr.. ]. H
II. Osborne being retained in office. This
would leave Commissioner Wlllink, Tax
Assessor Osborne and Superintendent of
Water Works Lotion in Office, with the
probability of their remaining there
for some time to come. On the other hand
Chief of Police McDermott and Fire Chief
Mcguire would have 10 shift for them
selves. OF the fate of the latter there is
basket with the first sweep OF the knife.
Chief McDermott, IL is thought, would
stand much better chance. He cut loose
from his Citizens Club affiliations last fall
when he declined to clear the court house
of the Liberal Club people who had taken
possession of it on the morning of the Oc-
tober election. This made the Citizens
Club people very sore on the chief and the
breach has never been healed. Naturally
this would predispose the Liberals in IA
vor Of Chief McDermott. and, together
with the good record which he has made,
would IL is thought, result in his retention
in Office.
What will become of Mcguire in case
the compromise is NADER" politician was
asked.
He significantly drew his finger across
his throat.
On being asked If he thought the deal
would go through, he replied that it is
doubtful. 81 don't think the boys on either
side would agree to it," he replied. They
want all or nothing. The Liberals would
not get much, so they would not be salts
fed, and the Citizens are not willing to
sacrifice any of their people, so there
you are"
That compromise is being considered
does not admit of doubt what II will
amount to remains to be seen. The Lib
erals would not agree to any deal which
would leave Chief Mcguire In office, and
after the fight which has been made on
the fire chief the Citizens feel that It
would be bad faith on their part to sac
rifice him.