The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-30
SHOULD WEAR HIS UNIFORM.
sUPERINTEXDENT sCREVEN MAY
BECOME MORE CONSPICUOUS.

Public in Uniform and ON Horse
hack rs other Heads of the Police
Department Have Done-PIumbiDg
Inspector May Have 10 Pay His
Northumberland Reverses Its
Action in the Matter of COL. p. w.
MeIdrim's southside PrOpcrty-An
Ordinance to Pension Firemen In
troduced.
Superintendent of Police Screven win be
requested by the Mayor"to appear upon the
streets oftener in police uniform, and also
mounted as frequently as suits his con-
venience. The failure Of the superintend-
ent to display his handsome figure in the
uniform OF the commander of the 6avan-
nah police force has not been satisfactory
to his friends many of whom have waited
for nearly year without having had that
pleasure.
Alderman Doyle doubtless voiced public
sentiment on the subject when he called
il pointedly to the attention Of Council
last night The alderman, who had only
a day or two before Withdrawn his resig
nation as a member of the board. was in
his accustomed pace. 1t was with his
most urbane manner that he addressed
a personal query to the Mayor
'Mr. Mayor, is there any law TO compel
the superintendent of police to sometimes
wear his uniform on the streets?" inquired
Alderman Doyle. 1T would be a source
of great pleasure TO many of us to see the
Superintendent in uniform and on horse
back occasionally. believe that 1t has
always been the custom of the chiefs of
police to appear in uniform and to fire.
quently ride the streets. You remember
the late Gen. Anderson, who cut such
splendid figure on his horse Bloodstone.
Even Chief Green rode horse very WE'LL
although he got his training In another
country. The late chief always appeared
on the streets in fun regaha, though he
was not often seen on horseback His
early education was neglected in that re-
spect, / believe. Capt Screven Is a gem
tleman whom we all admire. l suggest
that the Committee on Police request that
the Captain rig himself up In fun regalla
and ride by the market square"
This Is about the longest address Alder
man Doyle has delivered since he became
a member of the present Council, ana
judged by its reception, his success as
public speaker is assured. The laughter
and approval of his brother aldermen
punctuated his remarks throughout. It
was evident that the board was with him.
There seemed to be some doubt as TO
whether there were any ordinance regu-
lating the matter
At the suggestion of<some of the other
members of the board, Alderman Doyle
moved that the Committee on Police no
tify the superintendent that he must APP
pear on all occasions in full uniform
Mayor Myers said he thought this too eX-
acting, as the superintendent has regu-
lar hours and at other hours his assist
ant is in charge of affairs. Alderman
Thomas remarked that his unders landing
was that the superintendent of police was
always on duty. Mayor Myers said that
there were times, such as weddings, fun
erals and other occasions when che super
intendent of police would doubtless prefer
to appear in citizens dress.
After some informal discussion 1t was
decided that II was not necessary to adopt
a resolution on the subject, and a the sug-
gestion OF Alderman Haas, the matter
was referred to the Mayor, who viii doubt
less communicate his views on the sub
Jest to Supt. Screven to-day.
There was an interesting discussion over
the question of compensation TO Mr.. John
j. Halligan for discharging the duties of
plumbing inspector during the absence
of Inspector Campos on his summer vaca-
ton. The amount of compensation re-
quested by Mr.. Halligan is only $780, but
the matter has caused more discussion
than any other~blii. small or large, which
has come before the present Council. This
is due to the fact that while it Is admit
ted that Mr. Halligan Is entitled TO COM
pensation for his services it is held on
the other hand that the plumbing board
had no right to contract such an indebted
ness, and that 1t Is against all precedent
for the city to pay some one
else to discharge the duties of
an official while that official
is absent on vacation. This was tire
4
the result may be that Inspector Campos
will be called upon to pay Mr.. Haliigan's
bill himself. In fact some of the alder
men suggested that this was the only
proper solution of the difficulty
The bill was adversely reported by the
Committee of the Whole to which 1t had
been referred. Alderman FARRELL chair
man of the plumbing board, said that Mr..
Halligan had been employed by the board
to do the work during the absence of Mr..
Campos; he had performed the work
and was entitled 10 compensation. Mayor
Myers objected that IL would be the first
instance where some one else was employ
ed and paid by the city to do the work
of an official while the latter was on va
cation, and that the precedent was a bad
one to establish. There were other en-
ployes of the water department who could
have discharged the duties of plumbing
inspector, he said.
Alderman farrell said that the city had
received a larger amount in inspection fees
while Mr.. Halligan was performing the
work than the amount of compensation
requested. Incidentally he remarked thar
the fees received by the city since Mr.
Campos assumed the office have been over
$1,000. The alderman sed he was not pres
ent at the meeting of the plumbing board
when the arrangement was made with Mr.
Hallgan. 1t was also brought out that
Mr.. Haligan was a member of the board
and had seconded the motion allowing Mr.
Campos vacation.
Alderman Bacon made the point that
there was no mention of compensation in
the action of the plumbing board. Alder
man Haas said that he thought that Mr.
Campos was the man who should pay Mr.
Hallgan's bill, as he was away on his
vacation ana drawing his salary at the
time. By general agreement the report
was recommitted to the Committee of the
Whole.
The Council reversed It's action with