The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-15
CHARGES OF IMPEACHMENT.
WILL bic PREFERRED TO COUNCIL
AGAINST FIRE. COMMISSIONERS.

Last Night-Thc Mayor Instructed
to Appoint Committee to Prepare
and Prefer Charges Against the
Fire CommissiOners-Hay BE "A
Lengthy Procedure-COUnciI Ap-
proves of the Mayors Action in
Returning Chairman GraysOn's
Letter.
Charges of impeachment Will be prefer
red against the fire commissioners, to be
heard by council. This was decided at the
meeting of council last night. The decis-
ion OF council causes no surprise, as IL
was understood that this step would be
taken.
Council remained in caucus nearly two
hours last night, presumably discussing
the matter of the fire commission. At
three minutes otter 10 o'clock the doors
between the mayors office ana the coun-
ell chamber were opened, and the coun-
ciImen entered. A large crowd of spec
tators and curiosity-seek ers, who had been
gathered in the building for some time,
flocked into the room as the councilmen
entered There was a full board present,
with the exception of Alderman Hull and
Alderman ODonneI, who is out Of the
city.
When the members Of council had taken
their seats Mayor Meldrim said that he
begged to call the attention of the board
to the fact that on Saturday he had re-
celved the decision of the board of fire
commissioners in the matter of the inves-
tigation of the charges against Fire Chief
Mcguire.
1.-THE report" said Mayor Meldrim, was
accompanied by a letter, which l deemed
discourteous to this body and therefore re-
turned to the board of fire commissioners
The letter was subsequently published
now submit to you the question of what
action, if any, shall be taken by this body
in reference to the fire commission of Sa-
vannah. feel assured that whatever &C
ton you take will be taken with due re-
gard to the rights of the commissioners,
with due regard to the dignity of this
body and with due regard TO the rights OF
the people of this city, whose servants
we are, and whose interests we have
sworn to protect"
AT the conclusion of the mayors re-
marks, Alderman Smith offered the fol-
lowing resolution:
Whereas it appears that his honor, the
mayor, upon the receipt of a discourteous
letter, accompanying the report of the
board of fire commissioners. and, upon
becoming acquainted with its contents,
promptly returned the same, therefore, be
it
Resolved, That the thanks of this body
are hereby rendered his honor in recogni-
ton of his action in the premises express
sive of the dignity of this council"
The resolution was Seconded by Alder
man owens, and was adopted unani-
mously.
Mayor Meldrim inquired if the decision
of the fire commission should be read OF
if the members were already familiar with
the contents. There appeared to be nC
disposition on the part of the aldermen tC
listen to the reading of the decision. Alder.
man Charlton remarked in very decided
manner that he did not see what council
had to do with the decision of the fire
commission anyway. Other members ac.
guessed in this opinion.
alderman w wy lnGH OIeIeu the IOllOW'
ing resolution:
Whereas, II has come to the knowledge
of council that the members of the fire
COMMISSION of Savannah have been ap
parently guilty of conduct which warrant:
this body in preferring articles of i'm
parchment against them, to the end tina
their actions may be inquired into.
Therefore, be it resolved That thu
mayor appoint a committee of three from
1T. \ H. H.
parchment against the said fire commits
sIoners.
Resolved, further That the said com
mittee so appointed shall report to coun
ell so soon as possible the said articles
of impeachment and that the subsequen
action be had under the charge of sal,
committee with the city attorney as hi
representative as prosecuting officer"
There was no discussion and the resolu
ton was adopted without dissent Mayo
Meldrim did not appoint the committee
provided for by the resolution, but will dt
50 at his leisure
The only other business transacted wal
the acceptance of an invitation from tn,
city council of Columbus. o., to send
representative to. the convention of may
ors to be held in that city next month 70
the discussion of matters pertaining I,
municipal government
meeting by a Morning News reporter an,
asked as to what would be the procedure
in the matter of the fire commissioners
Mayor Meldrim said:
"The committee, which will be appoint
ed will investigate the subject and will
doubtless prefer charges of Impeachment
against the commissioners. Council will
then give a full hearing of the charges
The commissioners will be entitled t
Will no nj HharAV IN oh
such defense as they see fit. The hea-
ing will be a perfectly fair and impartia
one, and the verdict will be based upol
the evidence"
This being the case, the impeachment o
the fire commissioners will be a somewha
lengthy procedure, and as it will requir
an investigation of fire department al
fairs this will be the third investigator
of the department within the last tire
or four months.
THE DEVILS AUCTION.