The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-16
COULDN'T MAKE A CHOICE.
WARM MEETING OF COUNCIL but
NO ALDERMAN ELECTED.

Action in Caucus Causes Alderman
Davis to Leave with Intention of
Resigning-Was Induced to Return
and Curt Exchange of Words
Followed in Open Meeting Be
tween Him and Alderman Quicken
heimer.
The effort of Council yesterday to hl
che two existing vacancies resulted IN
babel of confusion, and came near caus-
ing the resignation of Alderman T. J. Da-
Wis, who retired from caucus, but returned
after having been prevailed on by several
members to do so. This did not restore
harmony, however, as a remark by Al
derman Guckenheiner in open meeting,
concerning Alderman Davis threatened
resignation brought on an exchange of
hot words between them.
Acting Mayor Owens presided, in the alb
eence Of Mayor Meldrim. and Alderman
Davis, Duncan. Wen. Guckenheimer,
Reid Smith and Krouskoff were present.
There was barely a quorum. In the alb
sence of City Attorney Adams, Mr.. B. A.
Denmark was acting attorney.
Gus Alderman Davis hurriedly left the
room, hat in hand, and was evidently in
tending TO leave the exchange. He was
closely followed by Alderman Duncan,
who engaged him in the hallway until
Joined by Acting Mayor Owens
A few moments Of undertone
conversation followed, and the trio
returned to the caucus. giving no intima-
ton. however, of what had taken place
inside.
The affair was altogether unnoticed by
a score of officials, clerks and others in
the clerk of Councils office. 1t was not
known what was going on inside in the
effort 10 decide on which two of the three
gentlemen should be selected to fill the va
cancies. 1t was the decision resulting
from this discussion, however, that caused
Alderman Davis to declare his intention
TO resign.
The names of Mr. D. r. Thomas, Mr.
Thomas H. Mcmillan and Mr.. c. w How
ard We're presented. Alderman Davis NOM
mated Mr.. Howard. He had zealousIy
endeavored to get the other aldermen to
support his candidate. The majority had
no objection to Mr.. Howard personally
however, but since he is the youngest of
those mentioned they favored the other
two gentlemen because of their
Mr.. Thomas was member OF
Council during the Lester administration,
which Mr.. Mcmillan served while Mr..
McDonough was Mayor. They were pre-
ferably on this account, therefore, and a
vote resulted in their selection.
Whether either of the gentlemen chosen
are Objectionable to Alderman Davis is not
positively known, but it was said his
threatened resignation was because Of an
unfriendliness toward one of them. He
declared he would not serve If they were
elected, and on the spur of the moment
retired. This left the board without a
quorum, which would have ended the
session but for the intercession to get
Alderman Davis to return. AS the matter
stood when the cauchs ended, the members
were pledged TO Mr.. Thomas and Mr..
MCMILLAN.
After Mr.. Hamiltons resignation had
been accepted, and Alderman Owens lad
been elected chairman of Council nomi-
nations for the aldermanic vacancies be-
gan. Alderman Smith nominated Mr.. Nc
MILAN, Alderman Guckenheimer named
Mr.. Thomas, and Alderman Davis again
nominated Mr.. Howard. There were four
ballots. The first was. Thomas 4,
Mcmillan. ?, and Howard, 2; the other
three resulted in Mcmillan and Thomas
receiving four votes each, Howard being
out OF the race. While the first three
ballots were being taken there was some
confusion by reason of a multiplicity of
motions and amendments, which got every
body in doubt as to where they were at"
Alderman Guckenheimer moved that the
balioting proceed. Alderman Smith offered
q resolution, which passed, providing that
only the vacancy caused by Mr. Hulrs
resignation be filled. There was a tie
on the second ballot and Alderman Guck-
enheimer moved that both Mr. Thomas
and Mr.. Mcmillan be voted on, since there
was a tie between them. A prolonged dis
cussion followed, the point being as to
Councils right to vote on both, in view
of Alderman Smiths resolution TO vote
for but one. A rule of Council requires
that such action cannot be reconsidered
at the samo meeting and not at a subse-
quent meeting, except on notice. The dou-
bic election was, therefore, block
ed. As finale Alderman Krous-
koff shot in motion to
postpone the election until the next meet
ing. Discussion on how 10 get Alderman
Smiths resolution out of the way contin-
ued until Alderman Guckenheimer said:
1t has come to a pretty pass when on
account of one man threatening 20 resign,
be can block the action of Council"
II consider that an insult and will per-
Ronally resent it," said Alderman Davis
mo names were mentioned and Alder
man Guckenheimer is not out of order. ="
bald ActlhS mayor owens IN an effort to
eppease.
IF these two gentlemen are not elected.
I'll resign" interrupted Alderman Guck-
enheimer.
That's your privilege" Acting Mayor
Owens remarked.
Considerable feeling was shown by both
Aldermen Guckenheime- and DAYS. and
the last ballot resulted in another tie. See
ing nothing was to be accomplished on ac-
count of the disagreement an effort was
made to adjourn
AS the members passed out 1t seemed
an encounter was to follow between AL
dermen Davis and Guckenheimer.
You are not the man to intimidate me
by threatening 10 resign" said Alderman
Guckenheimer, pointing his finger at his
brother alderman. The same sentiment
was expressed by Alderman Well
Loud talk caused several TO intervene
and Alderman Davis was induced to re-
tire. A number remained in the clerk
Office. among them Aldermen Guckenheim-
er and We'll, who expressed dissatisfaction
at the turn things had taken
INSPECTING THE PAVEMENT.