The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-01
FIRE COMMISSIONERS MAY RESIGN,
A New Turn I'm the Fight Against
Messrs. Grayson and Nell.


A New Turn I'm the Fight Against
Messrs. Grayson and Nell.
Fire Commissioners Grayson and Nell
seem to be confronted with other Difficult
ties which appear to be harder TO sur
mount than the charges against them.
which have just been indefinitely postpon-
ed by the City Council The rub now is
that they are officers in the military, have
signified their intention to volunteer for
the Cuban campaign, and will therefore
either have to relinquish their offices as
commissioners or retract their promises To
go to war with their companies when an
pointed by the Governor.
The question arose yesterday among
alderman on both Sides When the hear
ing of the charges was indefinitely post
poned, by reason of the patriotism shown
by the commissioners in volunteering for
the army, it was considered by many that
the differences between them and Coun-
Gil were at last reconciled, because in
definite postponement was tanamount to
dismissal, and any further agitation
might not be in accord with public senti-
ment.s
The most conservative who have watch
ed the litigation through its various pro-
cesses, felt confident that the charges had
Z been pigeon-holed and that there would be
no further effort by Council to Gust the
commissioners. The law on the subject.
however, seems to name the alternative
of resigning, If the commissioners stick 20
their intentions of going into the army.
section lSl of MacDonelrs Code reads:
mo officer holding any office under Coun-
Gil (the Mayor and city printer excepted.
shall absent himself from the city for a
longer time than twenty-four hours. with
out the permission of the Mayor or the
acting Mayor, and when the absence is to
be prolonged longer than thirty DAYS. with
out the permission of Council; and where
such permission is given, without the said
officer shall leave proper deputy, to be
approved Of by the authority granting the
permission, and the said officer so leaving
such deputy and the securities Of such
officer, are to be equally bound for such
deputy as for the principal"
Some hope was expressed by one Of the
commissioners that Mr.. Cunningham could
be deRuted to act for them until they re-
turned from tho government service, after
Which they could resume their Offices. IL
is understood no such arrangement would
be tenab.e, even though Council by reso-
luton, granted the necessary leave of abb
sence, because il requires two commission
ers to constitute quorum. Hence 1t would
appear that the law governing the absence
OF city officials from their posts, as well
as that relating to the Fire Commission.
points either to their resigning or remain.
ing a home Since they have doubtless
contemplated going into the army. Tho
disappointment would be keenly felt
though possibly not entirely unexpected.
Chairman Grayson viii rank as first lieu
tenant OF the Republican Blues, while
Commissioner Nell viii be captain of the
Savannah cadets. That they would lie,
cline these honors for The sake of retain.
ing their hold on the fire department does
not seem probable. especially in view OF
the fact that both intend to actively COM
mence recruiting men for their commands
tomorrow. and viii continue II during the
week. Both are resolved 10 go to the front
with determination not likely to be abat,
ed Oy considerations az 10 their positions
IN the fire department. which pay nothing
Members of Council may look at the
matter in the same light as when the
charges were postponed, and by special