The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-30
THOMAS PUT IN HULL'S PLACE.
.-ALD. DAVIS AT ONCE ANNOUNCED
HIS RESIGNATION FROM COUNCIL.

or His Action FaiIed-His Objection
to Mr.. Thomas Not Personal, But
on Account of His Connection
with the Brush Electric Company.
Alderman T. J. Davis resigned from the
City. Council at the meeting yesterday
afternoon. His fellow aldermen failed to
sustain him in his objections to the Brush
Electric Light Company having more
than one Of it's officers. Or stockholders on
the board. The resignation was caused
by the election of Mr.. D. R. Thomas, who
was previously opposed by Alderman Da-
Wis because connected with the Brush
Company as It's vice president.
Afer a few preliminary matters had been
disposed of, Mayor Meldrim stated that
nominations We're in order for aldermen to
fll the existing vacancies. No sooner was
this said than Alderman Guckenneimer
nominated Mr.. Thomas which was eX-
pected, as he stated when the last effort
to elect failed that he would again pre-
sent Mr. Thomas when the elections We're
called up. Alderman Davis nominated Mr..
A. 3. Moore as the second candidate, and
there being no further names presented,
the Mayor was preparing to call for a vote,
when Alderman Davis said he desired to
make a statement concerning his opposi-
ton to the election of aldermen connected
with the Electric Light Company.
"a committee was appointed some time
in January" he said, for the purpose Of
looking into the advisability of the city
acquiring am electric Lighting plant of its
own. That committee was composed of
myself and Aldermen Smith and O'Don-
nell. We were baked in our efforts all
along by the Brush Electric Company,
which stood in our way and declined to
help in getting reliable information. After
this / was informed that the superintend-
ent of this company tried to arouse oppo-
sition to it. 1 also understood it had been
asserted by officers of the company that if
the scheme were pressed by me, 1 would
be opposed in all l undertook as an alder
man. l therefore am opposed TO the elec-
ton of Mr.. Thomas, not from personal
grounds, but because 1 do not conscien-
tiousy believe there should be more than
one representative from that company on
the board"
After this personal statement, Alderman
Smith moved that the vacancy caused by
the resignation of ex-Alderman Hull be
first filed. Before this was voted on AL
derman Krouskoff got in an explanation
as to the stand he had taken at the last
meeting, and that which he proposed to
take, in order that he might not appear
inconsistent.
Il voted against Mr.. Thomas at the last
meeting" he said, mot understanding the
real objection TO him. 1 have since
learned it is because of his connection with
the electric light company, which l do
not regard as any reason at all. 1 be-
lieve he is a good man, and with only that
objection, l consider it my duty to vote for
him" AT the conclusion of his remarks
the resolution to fill only the Hull vacan-
cy was carried, and when nominations
were called for, both Mr.. Thomas and Mr.
Moore We're again presented.
After Aldermen Well, Guckenhelmer,
Krouskoff, Duncan Charlton, Owens, Da-
Wis, Smith and Reid cast their votes The
result was: Thomas I, and Moore g. The
Mayor at once declared Mr.. Thomas elect
ed. Alderman Davis said he wished to re-
sign as member of Council, and request
ed TO be excused. The Mayor stated 1t was
not the time for designations, in reply to
which Alderman Davis asked that he be
excused from voting. Seeing the alderman
would not vote further at that time, it
was moved that the election of ex-Alder-
man Hamiltons successor be postponed
until another meeting, which was carried
unanimously
While things were not breezy, Alderman
Owens nominated Alderman Charlton as
vice chairman of Council, and he was
elected, and took his seat.
AS the resignation of Alderman Davis
was ruled out of order when he first made
1t, he again verbally rendered his resigna-
ton, at the same time expressing his in
tention 10 retire from the meeting. He
was excused by the Mayor, but on arising
10 go out was beckoned to by several OF
the board in an effort to dissuade him
from carrying out his intentions The eff
forts were unaVailing, however, and after
having stated he was forced to leave
Council because of two unfriendly men,
bers opposing him in the matter of filing
the vacancies, he left the room.
Before the meeting adjourned Alderman
Krouskoff wanted to know how the resig-
nation was to be taken, since it was mere
ly in verbal form. He paid high compli-
ment to Alderman Davis for the tireless
manner In which he had performed his
duties. He said he thought the alderman
should be asked 10 continue in the Council
The Mayor stated in passing on the ques-
tlon as TO the resignation being verbal
that while they had always been in writ
ing, still, If Alderman Davis did not with
draw it, he thought verbal resignation
sufficient to be acted upon.
Alderman Well stated al this juncture
that he was pretty sure Alderman Davis
referred to him as one Of the two "un-
friendly aldermen" and Alderman Guck-
enheiner said he thought he was also in
cluded. Both explained that they voted
for Mr. Thomas because they thought him
qualified in every way for alderman, and
not with any idea of opposing any mem
Der of the board by taking such action
Alderman Guckenheimer added that he
thought it had come TO a pretty pass that
a member should retire from Council be-
cause he could not have his own way, and
he believed it bad policy to urge Alder
man Davis to return. Alderman Charl-
ton took issue with the Mayor In his rul-
ing to the effect that a verbal resigna-
ton was sufficient under any circum-
stances. He said he did not believe Il was
and did not wish TO act on IL, especially
in an instance where such good man as
Alderman Davis was retiring Ii was an
parent that nearly all regretted the ac-
ton taken by Alderman Davis and were
anxious that he reconsider his action and
return. To cap this sentiment the Mayor
stated he would hold there was no res
ignation until IL was submitted in writing
No further action was taken and leaving
Il for Alderman Davis TO decide whether
he would file a written resignation. the