The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-10
AT OUTS OVER OPEN SALOONS.
COUNCIL TOOK NO ACTION ON MAY
OR 1IELDRIM's REPORT.

The Accusations of VAR. McOtitfS Thot
OmcinIs Arc DcreIict in Allowing
Bars to Run sundays, Officially
Brought to the Boards Attention.
Alderman KrouSlOff Declares at
Is a known Fact the saloons Are
Omen Sundays"-Mr. IcGIIis
Claims His Article Is IndOrsed.
The open saloon question was brought
before Council by Mayor Meldrim last
night in the shape OF a report on the
correspondence he had during the day
with Mr.. J. n. AIcGills, author of the COM
munioatlon in the Morning News signed
"Reetiiiner." VINO asserted there was rea-
son to believe saloons were being run
wide open Sundays, and that some Off
Gals at least had constructive notice of
the fact. The board took no action on
the Mayors report.
It has probably not been the privilege Of
any members of the board to witness
more unexpected termination of a matter
brought before them officially, and espe-
cially when it is in the nature of an at
tack on the city government. The opinion
would be offered censuring Mr.. McGiUis
for making accusations he did not at
tempt to prove. This was not the case,
however, and If the sentiment of the al
dermen had been felt, after the Mayors
report was submitted, the probability is
they would have said they had reason
TO believe saloons run glimmering on Sun
days
Alderman Krouskoff made the first dash
out of the box after Mayor Meldrim fin
ished reading the report, which was the
final matter considered at the meeting
The alderman paid close attention to the
reading of the charges and correspondence,
which was brought to a conclusion by the
following statement from Mayor Mel
6rm: ID
Il considered it my duty to ascertain
what facts prompted these assertions, hut
as the author has failed to appear, the re-
port is submitted with the recommenda.
ton that the matter is not worthy of fur
Their notice"
Il do not know whether Council requires
direct proof of a citizen on this matter or
known fact that the laws have been vio-
lated and saloons running open on Sun
day"
This point-blank assertion was a stun
ner, and several of the board Strengthened
In their seats in apparent surprise. Among
them was Mayor Meldrim himself, who
went for Alderman Krouskoff as quickly
as he did for Mr.. McGilis.
You say il is a known fact that saloons
remarked. Upon what do you base that
assertion? That Is the information Coun-
Gil is now trying TO obtain. Have you per
sonal knowledge Of the fact? 1 think II
is your duty to give the board any infor-
nation you possess, that the Police Com
mission may be informed of the violations
Il Is their duty to stop"
The saloons We're kept open, and It was
not stopped until Maj. Harrison inter
coded in behalf of the soldiers. 1t is an
improper question 10 ask me in open meet
ing" Alderman Krouskoff replied with
emphasis. 'and I decline to answer II, be-
cause il is unnecessary"
IF any one has knowledge of viola
TONS" said Mayor Meldrim, they should
make the fact known. If ii then appears
city officials have neglected to perform
their duties properly, it is Councils duty
to impeach them, whether II be the May
or. Police Commission, or other city Off
cials"
Alderman Guckenheimer said he thought
the charges reflected on the Mayor, Po-
lice Commission, chief of police. In fact,
all city officials, and that in justice to ell
concerned the correspondence should be
published. He considered the charges
false, and as the author had failed to
substantiate them, he thought the public
should know it.
Alderman Charlton took exception 10 Al
dermau Guckenhemer's remarks and said
that in the event the saloons were run
open, the responsibility is on the officials
directly looked to for the enforcement of
the Sunday laws. This confusion has been
a trouble Savannah has had to contend
with some time, he said He insisted
the charges We're not reflections
on Council. Alderman Guckenheimer again
insisted that the correspondence be pub
lished. but Mayor Meldrim said he thought
il should BE regarded as mere, general
newspaper statements, without facts on
which to base the assertions" With this
the discussion was carried no further
Mr.. McGillis' charges were the all-asorb-
ing topic at the city exchange yesterday
As was stated in the Morning News, May
or Medrim had invited Mr. McGillis to ap-
pear before himself and the police com
mttee of Council to give the facts on
which he based his assertions From the
correspondence that passed between them.
Mr.. McGiilis came to the conclusion that
Mayor Meidrim took the position that the
saloons are not open Sunday, or, at any
rate, would take it for granted they are
not until there is absolute proof to the
contrary. Hence, it was, he thought, he
was being asked TO appear before the
Mayor and committee as a witness or de-
tective, whereas he said his only purpose
In writing the card was TO inform the Of
metals that there was reason 10 believe
Sunday laws were being violated But Mr..
McGillis did not appear, and the result
was the Mayor and committee held two
meetings during the day without accom-
plishing anything toward getting at the
author of the article
Mayor Meldrim's report to Council on
the subject clearly sets forth the eitua-
ton. After speaking of incidental matters
the first letter written to MIR. McGlms is
quoted. IL Is as follows:
In to-day's issue of the Savannah Morn
Ing News appears an article written by
you and signed "Rectillnear." The