The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-13
OFFICE HOLDERS ANXIOUS.
THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT IEGIs-
LATION Is INTENDED.


ton of AbOIishing the Commits
siOns-Whatever Is Done, They Say,
VIII BE for the Public GOOd-Re-
ports That Several ORcehOIders
May BE LeGisIated Out-WiII Prob
ably BE Nothing Definite Until At
ter the Election.
1t is but five weeks before the Georgia
Legislature meets. Between now and then
the people of Savannah expect to be IA
vored with the publication of the cap
tons of some interesting local bills which
viii be presented to the legislature for
enactment into laws at the coming ses-
sion.
Under the law these bills must be an
nounced by publication in the newspa-
pers thirty days before the legislature
meets, SO 1t is reasonable to expect that
it will be within the next fortnight that
the citizens of Savannah will be given
some insight into some of the contemplate
ed legislation. It may be, though, and
some are decidedly of this opinion, that
there will be no announcements made un-
til after the election three weeks hence.
Although there is no opposition to the leg
islative candidates, and not the slightest
probability of any, 1t is believed by poll
ticans that ii would not be good politics
to state exactly what it is proposed to do
until after the bird is Gagged. When the
election is over and the representatives
from Chatham are chosen, then will be
the time to begin publishing the captions.
AS the senator from the district will
be with the representatives this time,
| there will be no trouble in getting any
legislation through which may be desired,
and there is not the same need of prompt
ness in introducing bills and showing them
| through. The coming session of the legis-
lature, too, does not give promise of be-
! ing one full of important business. The
| elections are few, there are no great ques-
| tons to be discussed and acted upon and
| the belief is that it will be a tame affair,
predominated by local bills such as those
| which are likely to come up from Chat
| ham county.
If it is decided to abolish the commits
sions, one or all there is not likely to be
any fight made before the legislature by
| the incumbents or the former or present
| friends of those institutions 1t is felt
| that it would be but a useless waste of
| time, energy and money to go up TO At
|
| supported by the senator from the First
| There would hardly be a ghost of the show
| and the fight will be allowed to go by
| default, if there is any made on the com
missions. Whether an attempt will be
made to abolish them is not yet definitely
known by the public. AS in all things po-
litical in Savannah and other cities, such
| things are largely passed on by and decid-
/ ed by the leaders, and the public will be
taken into their confidence when the cap
tons of prospective bills are published and
| hardly before. Neither of the legislators
to-be who are in the city, Hon. John j.
| McDonough and Hon. Walter LaRoche
will discuss the matter to any extent
| Il do not care to talk about the matter
| at present" said Mr.. McDonough yester-
day afternoon. 81 prefer not to discuss
the commissions just now. I can't say
what action may or may not be deter
mined upon"
Mr.. LaRoche pleaded that he had not
given the matter consideration. IT have
not concluded yet that l would be elected
said he, although the prospect seems to
| be now that there will be no opposition to
! The regular Democratic ticket. What leg
| lslation may be decided upon a S regards
| the commissions, either as to aboIishng
! them or restricting their powers, 1 cannot
| tell. There has been no conference on the
matter, and I presume viii be none until
| after the election. One thing only 1 am
sure of. The entire delegation, 1 am sat
| isfied will do that which it believes to be
! best for the interests of Savannah"
| While little information is obtainable
! from the probable represen tatives them
| selves, there have been rumors for some
| days that at least one of the delegation
which wiz go up from Chatham viii be
| opposed 10 selecting one commission or
| commissioner as a victim and allowing the
| others TO stand. He is reported as having
! adopted as his motto: IAN or none" TAX
| Ing the ground that if the principle of the
| commissions is wrong there should be no
! selection of a sacrifice, but all should be
! treated alike. 1t remains to be seen to
! what extent this report is true, although
there appears to be some basis for it.
| AS everybody knows the Commissioner
of Public Works Is the one Office that is
expected to be legislated out Of existence
or so changed that the incumbent can be
removed by Council or the Mayor The us
ual rumOrs of a reconstruction of the Of
flee under new title and the election of
work ''" now U'i''' done by C Mr. Mr.
WiGlink continue. In This connection there
is quite a prevalent belief that if the Office
were abolished and a new one provided
for having the same functions. Mr.. Will
link would stand an excellent chance OF be-
ing elected to it by the present Council
the members of which have been Impress
ed with his executive abilities as Commits
sioner of Public Works.
There are many people who want the
law under which the Board of Tax Asses
sors act amended in some respects, and 1t
is probable that something will be done
on that line The other commissions are
also likely to at Yeast have their wings
clipped TO some extent. They VIII doubtless
be shorn of some of their power even if
they do not disappear entirely as factors
of the city government. Many prominent
Liberals undoubtedly believe that the par
ty should adhere to its often expressed de
termination of abohshing the commissions,
and proceed to execute It's ante-cam-
paigu pledges as soon as possible.
The commissioners are not the only Of
ficers who may be said TO have uneasy
premonitlons as 10 the fate that may be
in store for them. Two court house jobs
are said TO be in danger of legislative
guillotining. 1t is needless to say that
they are those of clerk of the City Court
and the sheriff of the same court. TAX