The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-18
FAVOR THEIR RETENTION.
RUT ALDERMEN WANT THE COM
MISSIONS UNDER THEIR CONTROL.

Their Power Is Somewhat Curtnil-
DETERMINATIONS, They say, Have
Rendered VnIuabIe Services I'm Re-
Iicving Council of Much WOrl-Al-
dermen DO Not Hesitate TO Express
Their Vicvvs-NO Radical Lcgisla-
tfon Expected.
Many members of the City Council OF Sa-
vannah are opposed to an entire abolition
of the commissions which have now been
in existence here for nearly three years.
That fact was easily ascertained by brief
interviews with a number Of them yes
terday.
At the same time the fact was clearly
brought out that while the commissions
are favored from a realization of their
value in relieving aldermen of considera-
BILE work and worriment, the feeling is
very strong in favor Of amending some OF
the laws under which they operate, so
that they will be subordinate to council
rather than coordinate with that body.
In other words, the aldermen are willing
that the commissions should be continued
provided they are made subject to the con-
troll of the council.
Exactly what the legislators propose to
do in the matter is not ascertainabe. In
terviews with Messrs. McDonough and
LaRoche have shown that they have eth
er not decided on their future course in
the matter or do not deem it advisable to
announce il at present. The sentiments OF
the aldermen will doubtless have consd-
cradle weight in determining the line of
action that is to be pursued.
Two lines are suggested, one being the
wiping out of the present laws entirely,
and the enactment of new laws providing
for commissions entirely under the control
of council, and the other the repeating Of
the commissions by the legislature and
their re-establishment by Council under
an ordinance. The latter course is sug-
gested by Alderman william Duncan and
is understood to have the approval of 9TH
er members of the board, while one or
two are understood to favor the amend
ment of the acts by the legislature on
the ground that only in this way can any
security be given the revised system. If
the commissioners were constituted under
ordinance any succeeding board of alder
men could repeal the ordinance and wipe
them out of existence, restoring the old
conditions, when every election meant
DaItle Tor the SDOilS OF office.
One thing that is remarkable is the
unanimity with which The aldermen in
dorse the idea of commissions, provided
they are made more subordinate to Coun-
Gil. Having been in Office for nearly two
years, they have come to appreciate some
of the valuable services that may be rem
dered by such bodies under proper limita-
ton of power While some of them at
first were undoubtedly opposed to com
missions entirely, they have come to see
that there are points about the system
which are worthy of preservation, and
that with Objectionable features Topped
on the commissions are likely to be a
good thing for Savannah.
DIR. William Duncan is one alderman
who is eminently qualified to discuss the
question of the commissions and their
probable fate from an intelligent stand
point. As one of Chatham's representa-
yves in the last legislature, he studied
the system from every standpoint Added
TO the impressions then obtained has been
the experience that has come from actual
contact with the operations of The system
as member of Council DR. Duncan docs
not hesitate to express the belief that there
are good points about the commissions
"nich might be Derpetuated to the ad-
vantage of the city.
Il believe that the commissions vvo,,ld
De all right were they made, as they should
be, subordinate and responsible to the civ
Iounch, said he, yesterday. 'As co-ordi-
nate bodies l do not think they should no
continued. The next legislature shougd eth
er amend or wipe out the laws as tha1,
now stand. Personally I believe thar If The
Jaws were repealed the City Council would
Eeconstltute the commissions by ordinance
Inc claim that has been made that thew
are of value in lifting from the CITY Coun
eli lot OF executive work seems wen has
ed. Considerable detail work in the man
aEfmenI rtr
10 these bodies. But there shourd be no such
diVlsion OF power without division of re-
sponsloHity as now exists. When the peo-
pie OF Savannah elect Mayor and alder
men 60 carry on the business affairs of the
city for two years, those whom thew have
selected should have full authority I'm their
hands 10 see that the citys affairs are adj
mlnlstered in accordance with their views
ana along the lines of such policies as they
nave advocated and believe in
AS II is now the commissions are prac-
ucally Independent bodies and VET +bs
people are left to hold the Mayor and
aldermen responsible for any unsatisfac-
tory results from their management of
the departments of which they have CON
trol. l DO not object to the personnel of
the commission, mind you, nor am I criti-
clslng their work; l am simply Directing
10 system which robs the Navor ana
aldermen of authority while leaving them
responsible. The Mayor and aldermen
frequently go before the people at the ex-
plrauon OF their terms of Office for re-
eiecuoh. II they are not candidates, then
there are others who have been associate ted
with them and stand as representatives of
them as the people view it. Their official
acts are subject 10 the approval or con-
uemnation of the citizens at the polls.
But II IS not so with the commissions
They are not held responsible in this yvay.
They receive their authority from Allan
ia and to Atlanta only can the people
look for redress if their management does
not meet with approval. This is what |
object TO and this the principle which ami
mated me i'm my opposition to the commits
stons laws as they now exist. 1t is not
the commissions but the system under
which they were created and are now con-
unued in existence that l object to- Put
them under the direction and control of
Council and they will be valuable ad-
juncts TO that body. I believe the ma
jority, perhaps all, of the board view the
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