The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-21
MELDRIM UNDECIDED.
>oT READY TO EMPRESS OPINION
on THE COMMISSIONS.

wants to Review Their Work First.
WAS Never the Purpose of the
Liberal Club Faction to Abolish
rbem. He says-Ex-Mayor Myers
would Rather See Them Abolished
,Vhan Under the Control of COun-
ell.
MAYOR Meldrim returned yesterday after
an absence of several days, and assumed
his official duties. It was during his alb
senoe that most of she aldermen defined
their positions in regard to the changes
they think the incoming legislature should
make concerning the commission bills.
Inasmuch as the aldermen spoke clearly
end unequivocally, 1t is not unnatural that
ali concerned are anxious to know what
position the Mayor takes. He has not made
No his mind as to whether the commissions
should be modified. He said he had been in
The country districts where newspapers
could not be obtained, and while he was
aware of the expressions given by gentle
men Of the board, he could not make any
statement at this time himself
'I3t lOLt L can iidhC up NY HiilN DIS 70
what should be done by the legislature re-
garding the commissions" he said. 81 shall
have TO review their work for the term of
nv administration. AS the matter stands
now l cannot say whether 1 think their
mowers should be modified or not. Instead
of curtailing their present powers, it may
become necessary to extend them along GER
tam lines. In trying a law suit an intelh-
cent decision cannot be reached until the
entire evidence is reviewed and weighed.
This should be the case with any decision
/ might come TO about modifying the COM
mission bills"
Mayor 'Meldrim proceeded on this line,
and when asked directly as to his views
on some of the proposed changes, stated
that he was not prepared 70 talk
"What you want is the vital points about
these bills" he said, land as l have repeat
3D. any statement by me along this line
cannot be made until / have gone over the
work the commissions have performed, and
how much money they have spent"
WAS it a plank of the Liberal Club
that the commissions should be abolish
ed?" The Mayor was further asked.
1T was never the purpose of this fac
ton to abolish all of them" he replied.
While there Is a sentiment in the Lib
eral Club decidedly in favor of shifting
the commissions so they will be in open
pressed as to just what amendments it is
proposed to make. The aldermen who
have expressed themselves have failed to
point out the changes they propose, 1t APP
parently having been taken for granted
the purpose was to place them under the
general control of Council.
Hon. Herman. Myers under whose adj
ministratiop the commissions were Gre
ated said yesterday he would prefer to see
OH nj y
political control. Any change in the bills
aside from giving Council power to i'm
peach and try the commissioners for mis-
conduct in office, would have the effect of
bringing them into politics, he said, as
the aldermen would desire to say some
thing about the manner of controlling the
departments He said it might be the pur-
pose Of the proposed changes to give
Council the right to name new commits
sons every two years, in which event the
departments would be kept In continual
confusion from the constant changes. AS
the matter now stands, neither the chiefs
Of the fire nor police departments can err
rOneously advise the commissioners, as
they are thoroughly posted on the way
things should go from their experience,
which would not be the case if they were
appointed for short terms
Council has the whole thing in Its con-
troll anyway" continued Mr.. Myers. mot
dollar can be spent without being passed
upon by the board, who review the budget
at the beginning of each year, and give
the departments just what they think is
right If it is proposed to expend an ex-
horbitant amount for anything, such as
the shooting of horses, or other matters
Incident to maintaining the department,
Council has the right to regulate it to suit
themselves. 1t seems to me since the Su-
preme Court has decided the city has the
right to try the commissioners for miscon-
duct in Office, that there is no change to
make, unless it is for the sole purpose of
getting the prestige they now CONTROL
1t has been rumored that Liberal Club
leaders have given the commission men
assurances that the acts will not be in
terfered with to any great extent. There
is nothing positive to this effect but if
such is the case, those connected with
and favoring the commissions show a
great degree of anxiety about what may
come.
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