The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-26
WILL LIKELY CHANGE PLANS.
MELDRIM AND M'DONoUGH MAY
BOTH WANT NOMINATION.

| Approached by Liberal Club-He
| Diselains Councils Responsibility
for Open Saloons by Not Having
Direct Control of Police Force.
In the Event Sunday Retailing Be
comes IntOIernbIe. He Would Cali
in Police Commission TO Enforce
Laws.
Politicians were considerably stirred up
yesterday by the announcement that Hon.
John J. McDOnough, who had been
talked Of as a possible candidate for May
or, might accept the nomination if 1t came
to him. While his name was being dis
cussed in this connection, no one was pre-
pared to say he would make the race, so
that the expression from him had the eff
feet of changing the complexion of local
political matters.
Averse 20 being held in the light of seek
ing the nomination, Mr.. McDonough ex-
planned yesterday that he did not wish
10 be understood as launching a boom.
The fact of his having been approached
many times in the last month by party
leaders urging him to make the race,
prompted the question as to what he
would do. Mr.. McDonough did not want
his friends to be working in his behalf un-
less he intended to run, and while his
words don't signify as much, ID is be-
lieved that he is in the fight to a finish.
At this time 1t is a matter of consider
able interest as to what Mayor Meldrim
will do if called upon to make the race.
For the last month his friends have been
speculation as to the action he will
take, but even the politicians sup
posed to have his confidence, expressed
remarkable ignorance as to his intentions.
He has not given an intimation so far as
known concerning the race many people
expect him to make, not only because they
believe he IS by courtesy entitled to re-
nomina ton, but because they think his
strength makes him the logical candidate.
Have you come to any conclusion?'
the Mayor was asked yesterday.
"All along l have believed this Is a
matter for the Liberal Club to decide"
he replied, land until 1 know its desires,
there is no reason for any ex-
preston from me. The more
dignihed way of treating this mat
ter is to await the pleasure of the club,
which can surely be accorded enough in
genuity to look about for a candidate in
ample time to properly conduct the cam
paign. Until l am officially asked for an
answer in this connection, I shall remain
silent, and continue to attend to my off,
cial duties Any declaration now from me
with reference to becoming a candidate
would be premature, the election is not
until January, and l consider two or three
weeks before hand ample time in which
to bring out a candidate"
LAS president of the Liberal Club, when
do you think a meeting should be called
TO consider nominating a candidate for
Mayor"
1T seems to me this matter should not
! be taken up before Dec. /. This will give
about six weeks for preparation before the
! election, which it seems should be ample
| time to accomplish everything in connec-
| ton with the campaign. The question Of
a nomination is sometimes referred by the
! club to a committee composed of 100 lead
/ ing party men. who consider the candl-
dates before them and decide upon the
nominee. l am not prepared TO say how
| il will be done this time, however, as that
Is something which has not yet been dis
! cussed to my knowledge
There Is some talk OF extravaganza
! during this administration" Mayor Mel
drim went on but all money has been ju-
diciously spent by Council. and I think the
! citizens and tax payers have received full
value in return for every dollar. 1t sell
! dom happens that one cannot find in
| stances where money could have been
! better spent. In our efforts TO buy things
at a reasonable cost we oftentimes find
! later on the same thing could have been
! had for less money. 1t frequently happens
| that lawyers, for Illustration, buy books at
a certain cost, but later find that they can
! get better ones, and at less cost. But the
city has something to show for what has
| been expended which includes new streets
! opened. a great deal of paving has been
laid, several important buildings have
been erected, the city has been kept clean
| and healthy, and there are many things
to which Council can point for the expen-
ditures IL has made. l can say that not a
dollar has been corruptly spent, and there
has been no free liquor or cigars at the
city exchange; though l am not prepared
TO say there ever was any there"
do you think Council should stop Sun
| day retaNing2"
THE law on this evil is enforced both
by the city and The state, and IL is really
the duty of the state authorities to close
the saloons, if they are to be closed. The
| state law is much the easier TO enforce
for the reason there is little trouble IN
making out a case, whereas, under the
ordinance, it is, in most cases, impossible.
The state can find saloonkeepers guilty
for keeping tipping houses open, which
fact constitutes the proof. 1t is per sc
| evidence of the party Us guilt. But under
the ordinance the Recorder cannot fine or
I
liquor Is proven beyond doubt. There must
be unmistakable evidence of the transac-
ton, in which event fine can be inn
posed, or the violator sent to jail. 1t is
difficult TO enforce this, however as Off
GERS could not easily detect persons while
the transaction is being made. Even if the
city should take up the matter, and ar
raigu saloonkeepers before the Recorder,
unless the police could prove sale was
made the party would have to be commit
ted for trial to a state court, as the city
would have no jurisdiction"
ION the hypothesis that Sunday retail
ing becomes intoierable, what acton would
you take under these circumstances to
stop it," the Mayor was asked.
1.-THE City Council has no control over
the police force. through which the law
as to this violation should be enforced.
But if the sale OF liquor was carried to
such an extent as to become Objectionable
TO the citizens. l should address a letter
TO the police commissioners, calling their
attention to the fact and asking that the
law be enforced as far as possible In