The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-06
WILL OFFER Drummer $500.
CITY COUNCIL DECIDES To TENDER
HIM THE HEALTH OFFICE.

The Resignation of DIR. LeHardy Ac-
cepted, and Decision Reached in
Caucus TO OGer the Job to DIR.
Rrunner-Hany Believe He VIII
Not Accept, Though Assurances
Were Given Ont in Council That
the OHer VIII BE Seriously COnsld-
ered-AIdermen Anxious for s-ore
Rigid enforcement of the Health
Laws.
DIR. W. F. Drummer will be offered the
position Of health officer Of Savannah at
once at salary of $500. an Increase Of
81, $50 in the present sa.ary OF the oflices
The explanation Of Offering this induce
ment is that the necessity for thoroughly
competent man is urgent and the alder
men seem TO have no doubt about DR..
Brunner's ability to discharge the duties
as the situation demands. Alderman
Williams is said 20 have been the only one
10 dissent from The action Of Council
The Council met at noon yesterday for
the purpose Of acting upon the resgna-
lion OF Health Officer LeHardy, which
was handed to the Mayor Saturday, and
TO make temporary appointment TO take
charge Of the department pending the cleo
Iion Of a successor. The full attendance
of the board showed the interest each al
derman felt in filing the vacancy, as this
had more TO do with bringing out fun
board chan the mere formal accep-
tance of DR.. LeIardys resignation. AS
was stated after the meeting, the alder
men felt an individual interest in the Sc
lection of a suitable man to fiji the posi-
zion, and viewed it quite as important to
them as the engaging Of family physi-
clan.
After the board had been in session
about half an hour, the doors were thrown
open TO he Mayors private office and the
resolution accepting the resignation of
DR. lie Hardy was adopted. The fact
that the aldermen concurred with the
Mayor IN the opinion that DR.. LeI4ardy
should long since have resigned meant
that they would offer no resistance to the
resignation. The thorough arousing which
followed the necessarily loose manner in
which the health ofice has been conduct
cd during the past few months accounts
for the stand the board has taken TO have
the office filed by some one fully able
TO discharge the duties, and who will not
be hampered by political or other inhuen-
ces.
Alderman farrell offered a resolution
after the resignation had been accepted
proAding for the temporary appointment
of some one by the Mayor 10 take charge
pending an election TO fill the vacancy
and further providing that the election
be advertised and held at the next meet
ing of Council, June IA. The resolution
was not discussed, but was adopted by a
unanimous vote and later in the day DR.
farrell was appointed TO the Office, From
the proceedings in the open meeting il
was evident the board had devoted it's
time to other matters than the resgna-
ton, and chief among these was the cleo
lion of a successor 10 Dr. LeHardy.
The fact that publicity had been given
to the report that the position would be
rendered to DR.. Drummer did not make il
surprising TO the board when his name was
mentioned. This had to be brought up
and discussed promptly, as there were sew
eral matters in connection with Offering
DR. Drummer the position which had to be
settled. The main question was whether
there should be an increase of salary, but
il was evident there was not to be much
opposition on this score.
Alderman Williams took a determined
stand against the selection of anybody who
Is not a resident of Savannah. while he
recognized Or. Brunenr's ability as a ply
stefan and dsciplinarian, he thinks there
ere physicians here who are as well fit
for the place. He insisted that
il is the duty of council to
give the local physicians a chance. This
AiA hot seem 70 prevail however, as the
tide Of opinion swept the other way 1t
seemed that the general opinion was that
the necessity for a man like Drummer makes
him the logical successor to DIR. LeHardy
and ii was pain 20 be seen that council
would make all reasonable concessions to
get him.
There does not seem TO be any doubt
in the minds of anybody that DR.. Brun-
ner is the one to secure, if possible" said
IN nd.
was formerly connected with the health
department would enable him to assume
almost immediate control II Is a fact
that conditions are such that quick work
Is needed, and for this reason / should
consider ii an investment for the city to
pay more and procure the services of
man In whom the entire community has
confidence, and whose former record in
Savannah commends him for the sxillfuI
and impartial enforcement OF the law
These scattering cases of smallpox are
not apparently hurting anybody. but
Council wants disease of all kind stamped
out and ii IS considered that under the
direction of suitable man, this can be
accomplished without great deal of diff
ficulty. ! am heartily in favor of the ex-
IRA expenditure and hope the city viii
be fortunate enough to secure the serv-
ices OF DR.. Drummer"
Alderman Graham Is said TO have
strongly advocated Offering the position 10
Or. Brunner, believing him to be one of
the few men who are able to take charge
of Savannah in its present condition
From the large amount of talk about
house to house inspections, one man said
that the condition of cellars
and Easements OF buildings all over the
city is filthy, and does not seem to have
been improved by the inspections, While
sanitary inspectors have doubtless done
much 10 have yards cleaned, the system
adopted has not resulted in a general
cleaning up.
Without reelection upon the force of in
spectors it is said the lack of an ex-
perienced man TO direct them has caused
the city 20 suffer to some extent gen
tieman who recently had occasion 10 rent
building in the center OF
the city examined num-
her OF them, and in each case
he went into the basement. where he
claims he found disagreeable smells, eaus-
ed by accommodations of dirt and the want
of free circulation of air The alaorr,er