The morning news., 1898-11-18
LOCAL POLITICS ALL AT SEA.
THE SITUATION INTERESTING BUT
UNCERTAIN.

kcy-If He should Not Hun Mayor
MeIdrim Would Have a Clear Fiel,:
with the LiberaIs-His Attitude
complexities Matters for Them-Ex-
Mayor Myers Might Enter a 3-Cor-
ncred Race-IplI1 of the Offices.
Ex-AIderman Haines Said to Be a
candidate for Chief of Police.
The local political situation is very much
of tumble just now. Win AIeldrim run
or will McDonough run, and in either case
will Herman Myers run, or is it possible
that all three will run is being asked The
latter situation is hardly likely. Some of
Mayor Myers friends say he might run
against Mayor Meldrim, but hardly
against McDonough. They consider the
10 defeat, provided he is given clear field
by his own side
Liberal Club men say that Meldrim and
McDonough will not run against each
other, that the club will decide which one
is to make the race, and will then give its
solid support to the nominee.
There are others who think that if
Mr.. McDonough makes up his mind to
rum he will do so without much regard
to clubs, and practically on his own plat
FORM with which the readers
of the Morning News are all
ready familiar. Mr.. McDonough
has already taken one step In his
reform movement by his bill TO abolish
pool rooms in this state. and as the only
pool room in the state is in Savannah. its
effect is largely local.
Mr.. McDonough has already said that II
he should make the mayoralty race, and
be elected, he would see to it that the
Sunday closing laws are enforced. and that
the gamblers would not have such an easy
thing as they have al present. Those who
know Mr.. McDonough know that he would
endeavor 10 fulfil his promises on these
lines, and that his effort would be no weak
one.
While Mr. McDonough's recent exnres-
sons on these subjects have received the
hearty Endorsement OF the large class
known as the church element, it must not
be forgotten that there is another class
which must be reckoned with The saloon
vote and the sporting fraternity together
comprise a good large party, and one that
is decidedly in favor of a liberal admin
istration of affairs II does not matter to
them which party selects the candidate, so
he is liberal in his views. 1t is not es-
sential that he be Liberal in politics. These
people do not hesitate to talk about the
siluation and do not hesitate to say that
they prefer Mayor Meldrim to Mr.. Nc
DOnough. There are saloonleepers who
would support Mr.. McDonough, but they
are those who prefer TO remain closed on
Sunday, but desire that other places be
kept closed also.
1t is said that in case ex-Mayor Myers
should oppose Mayor Meldrim he would
divide the saloon vote with him. Mr..
Myers is a conservative" in which he diff
fers from Mayor Meldrim, who is regarded
as a liberal" Upon occasion liberal
and Conservative can be made to mean
pretty much the same thing.
There was a report this week that a
conference of the Liberal Club leaders was
held recently, at which it was agreed that
Mayor Meldrm should be the candidate
of the party it being agreed that he was
entitled to a reelection as a vindicatlon
of the charges which have been made
against his administration. This seems
doubtful, however. There is no doubt that
the leaders of the Liberal Club those who
have directed It's political movements are
very favorable to Mayor Meldrm, and
that had Mr. McDonough not made GER
tain recent utterances, there would have
been no doubt of the clubs selection. 1t
Is Mr.. McDonough's position which COM
pltcates matters and gives uncertainty to
the situation
There is a good deal of speculation as
TO the fate of the present city officials
when the protecting aegis of the commis-
sions is removed from them by the repeal
bills, now before the legislature. An idea
has very generally gained ground that
there will not be the same wholesale sweep
as would have been the case had the pres
ent Council had the election of officials at
the beginning of its term In fact, some
of the officials are said to be riding the
political wave very nicely. Superintend-
ent Lotion of the water works department
Is said to have so pleased the aldermen
by the efficient discharge of his duties,
that he is practically certain of re-eec-
ton in any case. Commissioner Willink,
II is said, will not be left in the cold.
Chief McDermott is one whose position
seems to be in some doubt. The chief and
MS friends are confident of his standing
with the administration, and of
MS reelection on his record. On the other
hand there are those whose sources of in
formation are not the least reliable who
say that recent changes in Council are
favorable to Mr.. George S. Haines and
mat the election of Mr.. J. b. johnson to
succeed ex-Alderman Hull makes Mr..
Haines' election as chief practically cer-
tain.
1t might be well for the officials and
their friends not to base all their calcu-
iatlons upon the present Council. There
Is bill before the legislature introduced
Dy Mr.. LaRoche, placing the election of
the city officials for the next two years
IN the hands of the present Council. There
Is a difference of opinion in the minds of
many people as to whether the city Off
cials should be elected by the incoming or
tne outgoing Council. If Mr.. McDonough
should decide to be a candidate for Mayor
ne might prefer to have the officials in
touch with his administration by having
them elected by his own Council, in which
case the bill might be changed according
~ or the terms of the commissioners
might be made to terminate with the in
coming Council.
THE CffDEREnTR CsnTTRT