The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-04
COUNCIL MAY TALK OF WAR.
POSITIONS OF CITY EMPLOYEES WHO
VOLUNTEER

Mayor MeIdrIm Says Places viii BE
Vacant as soon as the Men Enlist.
Fire Commissioners May BE Placed
on Same FOOting-SettIemen emit with
House Drainage Contractors and
Asphalt maintenance Contract
May He brought Up.
There are likely to be several matters of
interest to come before the City Council
tonight.
The question of what the city shall do in
regard to its enlisted officials and employees
who are already or who desire TO become
members Of the state volunteer force will
very likely be discussed. Will the city pay
salaries or part salaries during their alb
| sence, and Will their positions be held open
for them during the life Of the present ad-
ministration.
There are several employees of the city
who are very much-interested in the de-
cision of Council in this matter Clerk of
Council w. P. Bailey is one of the recently
elected lieutenants of the Chatham Artil-
lery. Recorder w. c. Hartridge is second
lieutenant of Company 3, of the Guards,
Stenographer Frank M. Patton is a MEM
Der Of the same company, and Messenger
Of Council Isaac Conen is very anxious to
enlist
Mayor Meldrim did not give much en-
couragement when the question was put to
him as to what would be done in the case
of employees enlisting with the volunteers.
T. -
ment they enlist" was his reply.
There is not much comfort in this for
city employees who desire to enlist Some
of them, it is understood, will go any,
way, without regard to the question of
salaries. The question of the position of
Fire Commissioners Grayson and Nell
who are now commissioned officers of the
First Regiment, may also be considered.
Some of the aldermen think that these
gentlemen should resign on entering the
service of the United States, but the COM
missioners themselves do not look at the
matter in that light. 1t has been suggest
ed that whatever ruling applies to the fire
commissioners may apply also TO city Off
cials and employees, though the latter draw
salaries and the commissioners do not
If the commissioners are required TO resign
then the others may be required 10 do so
also, and if officials and employees are al
lowed to retain their positions during their
absence in the army. the same thing,
helr-frlends say, should apply to the com
missioners
The street and lane committee win prob
ably report upon the request of the War
ren-Scharf Asphalt Company to be allow
ed to withdraw from its contract with the
city for the maintenance of the asphalt
streets. The committee, it is understood
will report in favor of releasing the com
pany, as a contract at the same figures
for maintenance can be made with the
Southern Asphalt Paving Company, which
is now engaged in paving Drayton street,
and at less figure for emergency repairs.
The drainage committee may be able to
report a plan of settlement with the house
drainage contractors. The contra ctofs, it
IS understood, are not willing to accept the
bare cost of the work done, according to
the prices, less the charge for placing the
pavements disturbed by them in good con-
dition. They think they are entitled to the
actual value of the work TO the city, as
so far done is much greater than they Will
receive at the contract price, the work
already done being among the most diff
cult of the whole contract
The question of a plumbing inspector
as provided for by a recent ordinance, is
yet undecided, no appropriation for the
salary Of such an official having been
made