The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-23
WANT TWO YEARS SALARIES.
WILLINK, M'DERMOTT AND HAM
LY CALL ON COUNCIL.

Ex-Omcers Say They Were Illegally
Removed, That They Are Ready to
Perform Their Duties and Will Ex-
pect Regular PRy-COunciI Is No.
tilted to Expect Whatever Comes
If the City Don't "Ante"-Attorneys
Have Been Engaged to Fight for
the Claims.
Three notices were read In City Council
last night. which the taxpayers of Savan-
nah will probably contemplate with
smile. Ex-Chief of Police Frank McDer-
mott, ex-Superintendent of Public Works
Harry Wilink, ex-Chief of the Fire De-
partmeut Michael Hanley have notified
the city that they expect their salaries
for two years to come.
Judging from the efforts the City Coun-
ell has been making for the last month TO
get city expenses on a par with the esd
mated revenue, 1t is not likely it will feel
very much inclined to give attention TO the
notices. At a time when salaries are be-
ing cut right and left to prevent an in
crease in the tax rate, it is not likely the
board will care to pay salaries to persons
whom it is claimed have been legally re-
tired from Office.
Ex-Superintendent Wllink heads the
list with the following communication ad-
dressed to the Mayor and aldermen:
Il was elected on Jan. II, 1899, for the
term of two years, TO the Office of SUPER
intendent of public works. My election
was legal and regular. I qualified and
entered upon the duties of this Office. You
will please take notice that 1 contend that
my office was not legally abolished; that
have always stood ready to discharge
my duties, and that 1 stand ready now
to perform them holding myself subject
10 your order. 1 shall insist that the
board of Mayor and aldermen of the city
of Savannah is liable to me for the pay
ment of my salary
Ex-Chief McDermott files a communica-
ton in which he sets out the same facts
saying that he was elected for the term
of two years. Having qualified and en-
tered upon the discharge of the duties
OF that office, I have the honor of in
forming you that I have always stood
ready and am now ready to continue In
the discharge of my official duties, and
shall hold the Mayor and aldermen of the
city of Savannah liable for my salary, In
sisting that my legal term of office has
not been legally terminated"
Ex-Chief McDermott was seen after the
meeting and asked for an explanation as
to the notice, and whether he intended to
bring suit against the city 'I have moth
ing 70 say; all have to say Is in the no
tice," he said.
EX-Fire Chief Hanley, who served about
three weeks, also claims to have been i'll
legally ousted. ION Jan 80" his notice
reads, IT was informed that the office of
chief fireman was abolished. 1 declined
to give up the office until ordered to do so.
I insisted then and insist now that the
office was not legally abolished, and this
is to put you on notice that 1 have stood
ready, and now stand ready to discharge
the duties of the office during the term
for which 1 was elected, to-wit: for two
years, and shall hold the city responsible
for my salary"
Before Council legislated Messrs. Will
link, McDermott and Hanley out of office,
each of them was given an opportunity to
resign. When asked to resign by Mayor
Myers. who told them it was the desire
of majority of the new Council that they
should, all refused.
The matter will probably come to a To-
Gus when the next months salary is due.
If the city declines to pay it, which will
be the case, the ex-offlcers will have a
chance to act.