The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-08
LEADERS TALK INFORMALLY.
Enjoy Mr.. NcDonOugh's Hospitality
and Discuss Politics.

ana DAHEuEN AOAAAAENs
There was what might be termed a So
cial political gathering at the residence
Of Hon. John ]. McDonough on Price
street last night Il was informal caucus Of
the chiefs among the leaders of the Liberal
Club. Among those present are under
stood to have been Mayor Meldrim. Leg
islators-elect T. H Mcmillan and W. S.
LaRoche Capt John R. Dillon Col. Mer-
rift W. Dixon. Col. Warning Russell, Alder
man w. G. Charlton and others.
The meeting was the result Of personal
invitations from Mr.. McDonough to en-
joy his hospitality and discuss local pOli-
teal affairs at the same time. Yester-
day morning there was a little caucus at
his Office and the larger gathering of the
night resulted from il. A clipping OF the
advertised captions Of local bills whicn
adorned the table showed that amid the
social pleasures of the night the disposing
of the commissions and the enactment OF
new legislation, political and otherwise,
had not been overlooked.
What conclusion, If any, was reached
as to the commissions, was Withheld from
the public last night. Mr.. McDonouSh
would merely state that the conference
had talked in free and easy way
was nothing definite to announce. Nearly
all. if not all, of those present at the con-
ference though, were anu-commissicn
men, ana there can hardly be a doubt
that If there was any difference Of opin-
ion among them, II was as TO whether
the commissions should be abolished en-
trely or the bills amended so as to bring
them more directly under Councils au-
thority. There has been some difference
in views as 10 whether all of the commits
sions should go, or some. such as the
board Of tax assessors and the park and
tree be retained The feeling at the
conference Is understood to have more in
favor of abolshing all, if they are TO
be abolished, than Of selecting some Tor
execution and retaining others.
Notices appear in this Mornings News
announcing that the legislature will be
applied to to pass bills TO abolish all the
commissions. The advertising of the cap
ton of a bill, though, does not necessarily
mean that the bin win be introduced, or
If introduced pushed to a passage. AdVer-
Using the captions is a precautionary
measure, so that If il is decided TO intro
duce such bill the law as to publication
win have been complied with and there
need be no delay.
Another bill which is advertised In full
to-day provides for the adjustment OF
the board of commissioners of Warsaw
Of Mayor and four aldermen,
70 have fun governing powers.
II seems to be the impression among the
Liberal Club leaders as a rule, that good
politics. outside of any other considera-
tons, dictate the adjustment of the COM
missions. There are some though, who
favor retaining them, believing that they
viii win the next city election, giving their
faction the appointment of another MEM
Der of each commission and control OF
them all. The preponderance OF opinion,
though seems 20 be in favor of wiping
out the laws OF those at last nights con-
ference at Mr.. McDonoughs house, the
greater number have always been openly
and determinedly opposed TO the commits
sions, believing them unnecessary in a city
the size of Savannah.
Alderman Charlton is understood to be
in favor of abolishing them
and increasing the number OF
ranged so that Council would always have
working minority Of experienced men.
II the commissions are abolished entirely,
1t is generally accepted that some meas
sures will have to be taken to lift the
load OF detail work from Council that
would then be thrown upon its shoulders.
The discussion of politics and contem-
plated legislation last night is apt to be
followed by other eaucuses on the same
line to get at the views of all those who
have been active workers. The legisla-
ture does not meet for three weeks and
the Liberal Club leaders have ample time
in which to discuss the situation thor
oughly before reaching definite conclu-
sions. As Mr. McDonough remarked last
night: There's no especial hurry"