The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-20
MCDONALD A CASUS BELL.
HEALTH OFFICER NOT SATISFIED
WITH MAYORS DECISION.


duct at Mrs. LnngbeITs House-Dr.
LeHardy says He VIII Not Send the
Inspector TO Houses Where There
Are Ladies.
The charges against Sanitary Inspector
Bernard L.McDouald for drunkenness and
misconduct toward lady were investi-
gated by Mayor Meldrim yesterday. The
/ investigation was quiet one, none be-
ing present besides the Mayor except In
spector Mcdonald, Sergt. f. w. Lang
bell, of the Ocean Steamship Company
police, who preferred the charges, and
Fireman Harris, who was called on by
the lady for assistance.
1t is not known what was developed
during the examination but it is under
stood that sergt. Laugbell and Fireman
Harris made statements substantially ac-
cording to the account of the affair In
the Morning News yesterday Inspector
Mcdonald gave his side of the case but
it is not known what explanation he Of
fered for the charges of misconduct
against him. The Mayor secured what in
formation he desired about the affair. Dur
Ing the afternoon he sent a copy of the
following order to Health officer I.eHar-
dy:
1T appearing, in the matter of the com
plant against Inspector Mcdonald, that
the complainant in the above stated lnves-
ugaton having requested that clemency
be shown him, and
1T further appearing that the said in
spector disolaimed any intention of doing
wrong, and made fun and ample apology
for his conduct, it is therefore ordered
First, That he shall tender to the May
or his resignation in writing. said resigna-
ton to be accepted by the Mayor when
eyer it may be made to appear the in
spector has in any wise failed to dis
charge his duty, or has been guilty of any
misconduct.
Second Ii is further ordered that there
be deducted from the salary Of the inspect
or the sum of SO as a fine imposed upon
him"
The decision was a surprise even TO Nc
Donalds friends, as it is considered by
them as practically vindlcating him of the
charges What reprimand there IS besides
the fine of $40, they are unable to see.
When one or two members of Council
heard of the order regarding .McDonald's
resignation, they asked:
What does it mean?'
The order Is silent whether the ailega-
tons of Sergt. Laugbell are true or I'M
true. He is the father-in-law of the lady
which accounts for his bringing the
charges, but the officials who read the or
der are unable to tell from it whether the
inspector is guilty or innocent. There was
considerable interest shown in the case
especially around the city exchange, where
all were anxious to know what the Mayor
would do in regard to it. 1t was
expected different action would be taken
If the accusations were found true and
If they were found untrue, that Mcdonald
would be exonerated.
When seen by a Morning News repre-
sentative shortly after a copy of Mayor
Meldrim's order had reached him. Health
officer LeEiardy expressed consider Bile
surprise. He was evidently not expecting
such action. He considered the charges
against Inspector Mcdonald serious, and
before he received the letter from Sergt
Langbell. he Informed Mayor Me,drim
and az The same time sent his assistant
Mr. Melvin TO the lady 60 investigate the
statements contained in the letter ne re-
ceived Monday. He also used other raeans
10 get a the facts, at the same time writ
ing Mayor Meldrim fully on the subject
Inasmuch as officers of the health de
partment were directed to look into the
matter by DR.. LeHardy, he fully expected
the Mayor would go into the investigation,
at least far enough to examine himself
and Mr. Melvin, as 10 what facts they rad
obtained. 1t was, therefore, al
together unexpected by DR.. Le-
Hardy that Inspector Mcdonald,
Sergt. Langbell and Fireman Harris
would be the only witnesses in what he
considered an important investigation af-
fectng the health department.
Il have no alternative but to com
D. TrIV-srN a
DIR. LeHardy, but l wtll not send In
s2ector Mcdonald any place whore I have
he slightest suspicion he can repeat the
conduct concerning the truthfulness Of
which l have unmistakable proofs In
sending this man back to me, the Mayor
forgets l cannot conscientiously send him
to the houses of either city Of
or Mcdonald has compromised
himeelf, aud if Mayor Meldrim can
take such action, provided the facts were
properly before him, l cannot and will
not become party to it by sending Nc
Donald to inspect the houses of citizens
where there are ladies'. There are al
ready many persons who have tod me
they would not allow him on their prem
ises."
Mayor Meldrim was seen after the in
vestigation, but was not inclined to dis
cuss the case. He said he examined In
Spcctor Mcdonald, Sergt Langbell and
Fireman Harris, however and from the
facts found, he considered his order dis
posed of the case equitably. He did not
care to discuss the matter through the
papers but stated that Mcdonald ex-
planned his conduct and apologized to
those he offended. The Mayor was asked
his opinion concerning the declaration of
Health officer LeHardy that he would not
send Mcdonald 70 inspect premises where
there were ladies, but he declined to ex-
press himself.
Results remain to be SEEN but it is ap-
parent Inspector Mcdonald will not be
warmly received back into the health Of
fee at least for some time Mayor Mel
drim may demand<that Mcdonald be re-
ceived aud treated as he was before ne
trouble arose. but IL is thought this Will
work a serious breach between him and
DR. LeHardy, who firmly declares he win
not use the inspector al he formerly did
NO FEVER IN FLORIDA.