The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-19
WILL TRY TO REPEAL THEM.
HON. j. j. MDONOUGHs VIEWS ON
SUBJECT OF THE COMMISSIONS.

OE AUMm&ScAONSs
Does Not Believe in the Commissions
and VIII Make an Effort to Have
Them All Observation-Disclosures That
Is the Sentiment of Everybody
hut the OAiceholders-If Council
Wants Commissions, He Says, Let
II Provide for Them by Ordinance.
The Subject Being widely Dis
cussed.
One at least of the present nominees for
the legislature from Chatham does not
agree with the aldermen quoted in the
Morning News yesterday with regard TO
the commissions, and his views are said
to be pretty we'll in accord with those
OF the other two members of the coming
delegation 10 the legislature, which ii is
fairly certain now viii represent Chat
ham, no opposition having developed.
The nominee who expressed himself Is
Hon. J. J. McDonough. He has given the
matter much consideration, and having
been in the lower house when an effort
was made to repeal the acts creating the
commissions, he as familiar with the situ-
ent appearances Mr.. McDonough will take
the same stand in the coming general as
sembly which he took two years ago. A
representative of the Morning News asked
him yesterday what he intended to do
with regard to the commissions when he
goes to the legislature. Previous to this
time he has hesitated to discuss the sub
ject, but on this occasion he spoke very
plainly.
Il cannot tell you what 1 am going TO
do" he said, "but / know what 1 am
going TO try to do. I am going to make
an effort to do away with all of the COM
missions. I never have believed in them,
and do not now. The City Council should
control the citys affairs, and bearing the
responsibility it should be in a position to
exercise that control. We do not want
any bodies that are coordinate with Coun-
Gil in the government of the affairs of the
city. If Council wants commissions let
it provide for them by ordinance and the
commissioners then chosen win be subject
to the direction and control of Council,
That is the view I take of it, and that
is the line upon which I expect to pro-
ceed."
Are those the sentiments also of the
other members of the coming delegation"
he was asked.
while cannot speak for them, 1 may
say 1 believe such to be the case. l think
those are the sentiments of everybody ex-
cept those who hold the offices. If any
City Council wants to unshouder part
of it's burdens, let 1t provide for its own
commissions. AS the commissions stand
at present, they ought to be abolished"
Mr.. McDonough has many supporters
of his views on this line, though 1t is quite
apparent there have been some converts
to the commission system, provided GER
tain limitations are put upon those bodies.
Many of the councilmen take the view, no
doubt, that they are relieved of much
work and care through the presence OF
the commissions, and would like to see
them continued on that account Others
appear to think that the work coming I'M
der their jurisdiction can be done more
carefully and systematically by the COM
missioners.
As the time approaches for the election
and the meeting of the general assembly
the subject is being more generally dis
cussed, and all sorts of views are being
expressed on all sides. There is no doubt
whatever that some legislation affecting
the commissions will be urged, 1t may be
by repeal and it may be by amendment
From what Mr.. McDonough says it looks
as II there will certainly be efforts made
to repeal them. With the Chatham dele
cation all of one mind, IL it be so. and
with the senator from this district friend
ly to the delegation, 1t would seem that
they might be able to get anything they
want