The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-05
UPSET THEIR PROGRAMME.
OUTCOME or O'DoNNELL AFFAIR
DISSATISFIED HAINES MEN.

che investigation started Talk
Among the Politicians. But Those
Concerned Not Inclined to Further
Discuss the ARnir-Alderman
O'DOnneII and Friends Tried to
Get the Original Account From
Alderman Johnson, But He Held 1t
Was a Matter for Council TO Con-
sidcr-The Eject OF Investigation
believed to Distinctly Sever
Haines and McDermOtt Supporters.
The investigation by Council of Alder
man T. F. ODonnelrs alleged over
charging the city for work done on the
water works department, created much
comment yesterday in political circles. As
stated in the Morning News, the substance
OF the fight was to get the alderman where
he could not injure the chances of those
who are applicants for city offices.
In compliance with the resolution set
Ting the matter. the bill for work was
turned over to Alderman O'Donnen for
correction. After he has made compar-
ison with the charges as they appear on
his books, the corrections win be made,
after which he VIII forward it to Super
intendent Lotion for his approval 1t will
probably not require great deal of time
to straighten out the errors.
There is an interesting bit of history
connected with the account, which did not
come to light until those who failed TO
imphcate Alderman O'Donnell with some
irregular transaction, were discussing the
affair yesterday. 1t seems the investiga-
ton was being hesd in allegiance, pending
the return of Alderman ODonnell from
the North, and in the event he had not
come back, the proceeding would not have
been commenced. Prior TO his departure,
however, it is said the alderman, as well
as his clerk, made strong efforts to SET
the bill out of the possession of Alderman
Johnson, who was holding on to it. Had
the bill been obtained, the alderman and
his friends would have felt safe, as there
would then have been nothing upon which
to base the fight. Alderman johnson
would not surrender the bill, as he con-
sidered the over-charge was such as to
make it his duty to bring the matter to
the attention of Council
There was also a good deal Of conjecture
about the communication referred to in the
investigation, and which is understood to
have been a telegram which Supt Lotion
received from Alderman O'Donnell with
reference to his return to the city. The
natural question asked by everybody was,
what did the telegram say? Its contents
are said to have been known to Alderman
Johnson, but when seen yesterday, he de-
clined 10 discuss the matter.
"All things might have been brought out
in the Investigation" he said, but as it is
now concluded, I do not care to have any
IL E,,v, L
the matter"
IA number of the aldermen interested in
the fight made on Alderman O'Donnen
had no hestancy in saying they We're sur
priSed at the testimony. They had fully
expected Superintendent Lotion would
talk along different lines, and would have
something definite to say about the al
legged telegram when asked about "any
communication When he replied he had
had no communication with Alderman
O'Donnell on the subject of the conflicting
accounts, il is said the aldermen waging
the fight at once saw they had nothing
further on which to proceed. Alderman
O'Donnell had declined to say anything
about the telegram in caucus, replying in
answer to a direct question about it that
Superintendent Lotion was put on the
stand and made the statement that he had
not received any communication. AS stated
yesterday, Alderman O'Donnen was later
asked the same question, but declined to
answer it, saying he did not consider that
the communication had any bearing on the
issue.
Superintendent Lotion was asked if he
had anything further to say in connection
with the affair. He replied that the in
vestigation was over and he did not con-
slider it proper 10 say anything more in
connection with it.
While the investigation is, of course,
| ended, its effect viii probably be seen in
the coming election of city officers. The
Haines men will doubtless be actuated to
fight the more persistently for Mr.. Haines'
election as chief of police. Whoever they
decide is responsible for their failure to
Dust Alderman O'Donnell may be inter
| ested. though the Haines men do not eX-
press themselves to this effect.