The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-04
DR.. Drummer MAY GET TIE JOB
HE IS BEING URGED AS RR. LEHAR-
DTrS SUCCESSOR.


the Present salary OF the Health
Omcer TO Make the Position More
AIIuring to DIR. Drummer, Who Is
said TO BE Drawing $1,000 Annual
" From the GOvernmenf-AIder-
man Williams FnvoFs Local Man
Tor the PIace-Dr. LcIGardy Says
He Resigned Because Mayor Myers
Made Things Too Warm for Him.
His Reasons Outlined in His Letter
of Resignation.
Associated with the gossip about the
city exchange yesterday in connection
vita the resignation OF Health Oiiicer Lee
HARDY. which was handed to Mayor Ny
ers after several direct and Indirect re-
guests. were reports that everything was
fved TO tender the position to DIT w. +.
Drummer. now in the government service
az Havana. The report was given cred
cuce and those who supported DIR. Brun-
ner when be was Former.y health officer
IN Savannah, expressed the hope that
his services would again be secured.
Tho circumstances that led up to the
resignation OF Or. LeHardy, who has
served the city as health officer since
June 1881, are familiar to the public, be
fug the outcome Of ruptured relations
between himself and Mayor Myers. DR..
IeHardy claimed that duties too onerous
for him TO perform were piled upon him
Individually and that the effort to Gust
him became so fragrant that he considered
The interests of the osty demanded that
Re retire. rather than contend with the
Mayor on matters when ostenslbly adj
United Of no amicable solution. Rather
than not have the most important de-
partment run in perfect harmony with
the authorities. and particularly the May
or DR.. IeHardy did not feel that he
could accomplish what the people would
expect.
Were ! TO summarize my reasons for
TcsiEnlng" explained DR.. LeHardy. Il
should say Il was because an effort was
made 10 load me down, and that ! was
made a subordinate TO ne assis ant clerk
81 The market. that officer having been
delegated 10 make analysts of milk, food
etuffs and other articles. The satisfactory
conduct of this office can only be accom-
pllshcd by The fEl corporation OF the DIN
er city officials and as this was not as
Eured. ! felt that the interests of the peo-
pie demanded that l resign. After having
asked for my resignation some time ago,
ana after ] returned to my Office instead
OF rendering il as requested 10 DO by the
Mayor, his actions nave been on the line
of his original intention 10 get me out lie
has not hestated to put upon me every
duty he was authorized to impose II be-
came Impossible for me to perform the
he was also succeeding in making things
more disagreeabie than l cared to further
Mayor Myers said he was glad DR.. Le-
Hardy had resigned. as this was just what
he wanted. For the last few weeks the
health conditions IN Savannah, he said
have demanded the services OF an active,
able-bOdled man, who could supervise the
work of inspectors and keep in close touch
with what is gong on. BY supervision
the Mayor said, he did not mean for the
health officer TO remain in his office and
depute others 10 do the work, but he
meant for him to be on the spot, and give
his subordinates the benefit of his judg-
ment on all matters. Mayor Myers in
sisted that Or. LeHardy was not doing
this and that his services 10 the city
We're unsatisfactory for the reason that
he was physically unable to perform the
work.
DR.. LeHardy, whose ability and knowl-
edge is fully recognized and appreciated, -
said the Mayor, "but his physical cond:-
Ton greatly impaired his USEFULNESS. Be
ing responsible 70 the people of Savannah
for the efficient administration Of the
health department did not propose 10 sit
quietly BY, knowing. that things were not
II desire il understood that I have not
been antagonizing DR.. LeHardy," con-
tinued the Mayor, but on The contrary,
unlimited indulgence has been shown him.
The position has been held open for
months in the hope that he would be able
to again take charge, but when we found
he was unable TO properly look after the
department. his resignation was properly
requested. With reference to the duties
IL is claimed j have imposed upon DR.. Lee
Hardy, may say they are clearly set out
in the ordinances, and in no instance did
I cali his attention 20 these duties except
where present conditions demanded that
they be discharged"
In The following letter DR. LeHardy
gives his reasons for resiguing the office:
Savannah, Ca, June /, lS99.-Hou. Her
man Myers, Mayor of Savannah-Dear
Sir: Finding that the health officer OF
Savannah is no longer TO direct the work
of his Office but act subordinately in the
capacity of "a sanitary inspector, inspector
of milk ana Of food, that reporting 10 the
clerk Of the market, hunting up cases of
smallpox, and examining every corner OF
the city once a week are parts OF his du-
ties, besides daily visits 10 the pesthouse,
whether his attentions there are needed
or not, ] beg leave TO state that while
am perfectly willing to serve Savannah
as her health officer ii will be Impossible
for me to i'll this position longer under
such circumstances. The management Of
maritime quarantine having been taken
away and put in the hands of outsiders
the actual supervision over food products
analysis of milk and adulteration of food
drink ana medicines having been trans
ferred to the clerk of the market, l fee
that Savannah's health officer has beer
deprived Of two most important mean;
9or the prevention of disease; that The
hunting up of cases of smallpox and OF
NTH could be done by trained inspectors
also that visiting the pesthouso daily
less experienced officer. Feeling that thG
health officer should direct the cntr,
work of his department. for which he i.
held responsible, and that under the pres
ent administration such is not the case, II
seif-respect 10 myself and for the goo,
of my beloved Savannah, l hereby tender
my resignation that you may act upor
IL az once and select one who may sui
your purposes better than l can. Respect
fun yours. J. c. LeHardy, H. o.
Savannah, Ca, June 8. a. m, 1872
did not have the opportunity, on ac
count Of Official work, OF submitting III
above TO my legal adviser until late yes
terday afternoon, hence the hardness il
IFS delivery. l shall keep up with tn
work Of the Office until Monday next
that no one may suffer.
u. c. LeHardy, II. O."
In the afternoon DIR. LcHardy receive,
a letter from Clerk OF Council Bailey stat
Ing the Mayor had directed him to sa,
that special meeting of Council woul,
be called for tomorrow afternoon whel
a temporary appointment will be made (,
I'll the position. It IS believed Alderman
farrell viii be appointed. rs he is Ii
touch with the work. and is believed Il
be better qualified 90 perform the dutle
pending an election.
IL did moi take much circulating anon,
the aldermen after The report that DI