The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-16
SAYS WINNERS SHOULD ELECT
MAYOR MYERS believes COUNCIL
SHOULD CHOOSE ITS OFFICERS.

the Legislature Was Wrong in
Giving the Outgoing Hoard the
Right to Elect City officers for
Two Yenrs-WIu of the People
Must Control Water Meter Cues
tion-AIderman Wells Advocates
the Plumbing Ordinance because
II Saves the city Money, but Dur
ing His Six Terms in Council He
Has Never Seen Politics Thorough
Iy Eliminated.
Mayor Myers viii cali a special meeting
of the City Council for tomorrow after
noon for the purpose, it is believed, of dis
cussing the quarantine question, and vot-
ing on the plumbing ordinance, which it
is apparently DESTROYS of getting off its
hands.
For the first time since the agitation Of
the plumbing ordinance began. Mayor
Myers has discussed it from political
standpoint. All along he has studiousy
avoided touching on this or any other
feature of the ordinance, as the posi-
bility that he would cast the turning vote
made him reticent on the subject. The
fact that politics is at the bottom of the
movement 10 Gust Cosgrove. and a remov-
al from city office for political reasons
alone being something which Is not looked
upon favorably. are probably what has
brought Mayor Myers to declare himself
unequivocally on the plumbing ordinance,
or at least, on the cause politicians are
sirOinp tor CocoOrvefs rernoya1
Il recognize the fact there is much talk
about the plumbing ordinance, which Is
20 come up for final disposition to-mor-
row afternoon" the Mayor said
ut may be there is politics
back of this movement, but It
is next thing 20 impossible TO bring up
any proposition among twelve men in POI
litcal office without personal considera-
lions having more or less effect. Whether
there is politics in the movement to con-
solidate these offices IS something 1 am
not prepared TO say, further than that I,
myself, will act for the best interests of
the city, aside from any political consider
ations. For some time l have thought
these Offices could be consolidated 90 the
advantage of the city, and my reasons
for advocating the change are that il is
ways thought competent plumber in
the water department could perform the
duties of both Offices, which would be a
saving TO the city. even If an assistant TO
the water Inspector were appointed.
The real source of the political tiuge
that attaches to this contemplated action
of the City Council" Mayor Myers frankly
admitted. lis the action of the legislature
In giving the last Council the right to
elect city officers for the ensuing two
years. Whether there is any feeling on
the part of the present board against Of
fee holders appointed under the former
administration is something / cannot say,
but II is not questioned that aldermen like
10 select the officials who cooperate with
them in the conduct of the citys affairs.
In doing this they feel a keener interest
In their work, their relations with all
branches of the city government are more
pleasant and there is no doubht but bet
ter results are accomplished. / do not
mean to say the present ordinance to con-
solidate the offices of plumbing inspector
and water inspector is a movement to Gust
Mr.. Cosgrove. If there is any politics in
the movement, however. / attribute 1t
to this feeling, which ! have no doubt
exists with some. 1 think the legislature
made a mistake in giving the former
Council the right to elect city officers for
the next two years; that power should
be vested In the incoming Council They
assume all the responsibility for a prop
er administration of the city's affairs, and
there is no questioning their right 10 Sc
lect the officers 70 serve under them"
The water meter question has apparent
ly been laid upon the shelf by politicians
since Mayor Myers last had anything to
say on the subject In the interview in
which he presented the matter he assert
ed quite positively that he purposed 20
have meters In Savannah IL the City Coun-
Gil would stand by him in the movement
When asked last night about the stand
the politicians had taken, Mayor Myers
said:
Il am still convinced that there is too
much waste of water. and that the only
effectual means of stopping it is the adop-
ton of meters. If majority OF the people
are against giving them a trial, however.
/ would be glad to see them put in use
by those who believe them practicable.
In this way / believe their use will grow
gradually. until they will be adopted
throughout the city. 1t Is not nv inten-
ton 10 push the adoption of meters IL
they are not wanted. but the tremendous
waste threatens the supply, and for this
reason 1 thought Il best 10 suggest 10 the
city Council and the people the advis-
ability OF adopting some modern system
of selling water, which would cause the
people 10 be more saving with IL. Every
one knows this waste IS not Intentional.
but is simply the result of careless habits
the people have formed"
Alderman Wells is the most reservcd
member of Council. so far as getting into
the newspapers Is concerned. but he came
out yesterday on the plumbing ordinance
ana incidentally said some things which
Will be acquiesced in by his fellow alder
men. Alderman Wells was one of Tho
doubtful members OF the joint commit
tee which heard the plumbers He aske0
number Of questions during the hear
ing, but was shrewd enough 90 do il in
way TO conceal his position. There is
no doubt now that he favors the Massage
OF the present ordinance, providing for
the consolidation of the plumbing win
the water department
What about the plumbing ordinance?
hear there's some politics back Of Il" said
business man to Alderman Wells
There IS no politics in il so far "a !
am personally concerned" the alderm, =
replied. My idea I'm favoring The nrss.
ent ordinance is that It viii save money
10 the city, which ! believe IS one Of nv
things ahe taxpayers eXDaef o. M. - T..