The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-18
FAVOR Their RETENTION.
Continued from Eighth Page0

thelr business and looking after the city's
interests in a satisfactory manner Why
should any Of the commissioners be turn
ed out of office if they are doing their du-
ties properly, simply because some other
men who have not had any experience,
and who cannot be expected to do the
work better, want the offices and incident
ally the pay. If competent men in the
elty's service can be protected in their po-
sitions by commissions, then l am in
favor of commissions
1T was claimed when the commissions
were established that this was one of the
main objects contemplated. While that
object was not kept in view, as it should
have been, and the commissions were
made cloak for matters of political ex-
pediency, it is not too late to make them
what they should be, bodies for the es-
Enlistment of civil service rules and the
business-like performance of the citys
business. This can be done, l believe, and
the commissions at the same time made
more subject to the wishes of Council.
am not one of those who cannot see any
thing good in measure simply because
il came from those with whom l did not
happen to be politically associated. be-
lieve We should take everything that is
good in the commissions and cast aside
anything that does not recommend itself
as beneficial to Savannah's best interests.
But 1 am not in favor of wiping out the
commissions simply to throw open the city
places for a scramble every two years.
That is too petty a motive and one I'M
worthy of consideration"
Alderman John Smith is a believer in
commissions now, regardless of how he
may have regarded them when he first en-
tered on the discharge of his duties in
Council.
4 believe that commissions are good
things" said he, land l favor their re-
tention, although bringing them more di-
rectly under Councils control would be an
improvement. They are working together
with the administration, there is no fric-
ton, they relieve Council of much detail
work that would be arduous and consume
more time than most of us could afford 10
give in connection with our other duties.
zone commission l regard as an abso-
lutte necessity, whether 1t be called by that
or some other name, i refer to that of pub
lie works. AS one of the streets and lanes
committee told Mayor Meldrim when the
matter of abolshing this commission was
under discussion one day: If it is abolish
ed Mr. Mayor, we must be given super
ntendent Of streets and lanes. If there is
no Commissioner of Public Works there
must be a superintendent of public works.
There is no doubt of the absolute need of
this department, and 1 really think 1t
would be a set back to the city's best in
terests to abolish the office entirely In
deed, believe all the commissions are of
value, and while there might properly be
some amending of the acts to bring them
more directly under the control of Coun-
Gil than they are now, do not think the
commissions should be wiped out of exist
ence. l believe you win find other alder
men are somewhat of this opinion, too"
A well known politician, allied with the
Liberal Club, said that there was de-
cided difference of opinion in political cir
oles as to what should be done with the
commissions, some favoring letting the
bills stand practically as they are now,
that the commissions are bipartisan in
character and working in harmony with
the city administration.
1--WE have every chance in the world to
win the next election in the city" said he,
land that VIII give us control of all the
commissions and accordingly there is no
political reason why they should be abol-
ished Outside of this, the great mass OF
the people have lost that strong feeling
of opposition which they felt to the COM
missions two years ago. / do not think
there will be any radical legislation on this
line"
Acting Mayor Owens is inclined to the
belief the power the commissions now ~eX-
ercise should be curtailed in many re-
spects. He does not think Council should
be mere ways and means committee to
luIHlSn the COuiilll5SlOuS Win A1OACy W
spend.
'@There are ways to remedy the obiec-
tionable features of the commissions,
though" he said without abolishing
them altogether. l do not wish to be I'M
derstood as opposing them, because they
have proven successful in managing some
of the departments. While there have
been occurrences which have interfered
with the efficiency of some, still these
things have blown over, and 1t seems the
commissions are now being run TO the
satisfaction of the general public.
My opinion is, the City Council should
be the head of the city government and
as such, exercise jurisdiction over all de-
partments of the public service. Indeed,
all committees of Council are commits
sions, and it is by them the work is done.
A commission has a specific duty to per-
form, generally designated for 1t, so that
there is no installing its purposes, or the
things II is expected 10 accomplish. Con-
filming responsibility in this way to a few
always iusures better service than when
many are looked to for the proper man
agement of affairs. This explains my rea-
sons for believing the present commissions
have been efficient, and also for favoring
their existence.
81 am not politician, however" Alder
man Owens continued land cannot, there
fore, say what it is intended to do in re-
gard to7the commissions when the legis-
lature meets. / have heard it said there
has been talk however, about revising the
present law so as 10 give Council more
powers over the commissions. If this can
not be done, have heard that the present
law might be repealed, and then drafted
so as TO bring about the desired changes
These are only things repeated here and
there, so that l cannot say it is the in
tcnuon of any faction TO adopt this
course"
81 take a very conservative view of the
question of the commissions" Alderman
d. r. Thomas said while 1 have given
the matter much thought ! cannot say
that I have come to any definite conclu-
sion as to what should be done. The mat
ter should not be disposed of in too big
a hurry. but whatever is TO be done should
be done carefully.
There is no doubt that unless the alder
men pay more attention to the city's af-
fairs than they have been doing they will
have to have the commissions or some
substitutes for them to look after the
work. But there is this objection to the
commissions as they are at present con-
stituted-they have too much power BY