The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-01
DOYLE IN ScREvEN'S PLACE.
NEW COUNCIL DOES NOT WANT ANY
VACANT CHAIRS.

The New Alderman sworn in and As
signed TO Capt. Screven's Commit
tees-LiberaI Faction Nominated
Nr. Baldwin who Headed the Me-
Donough Professionalism of
Departments the Next Matter TO BE
Considered.
After a recess of twelve hours. the City
Council resumed its work of shifting about
offices at noon yesterday Alderman
Thomas Screven resigned and Mayor My
ers at once appointed him superintendent
OF police. The vacancy in the board was
filed by the election of Capt. NJ. ]. Doyle
who received the highest vote of the de-
feated candidates. The programme was
put through without friction. Quite a
crowd was present to express its approval
of what Council did.
The only absentee at the meeting was
Alderman Screven, who remained away
for obvious reasons. and Alderman Haas
who is still out of the city. There was no
delay in getting down to business. A reso-
luton was adopted providing for the print
ing of $50 copies of Mayor Meldrim's ar
nuai report, the custom of incoming
boards.
The slate covering the changes in the
police department was next put through.
Clerk OF Council Bailey read Alderman
Screven resignation, which was to take eff
feet at once. On motion of Alderman
Dixon il was accepted, after which Mayor
Myers announced the appointment of Capt
Screven as superintendent of police
The election of an alderman to fill the
existing vacancy did not result in any sur
prises. Capt NJ. J. Doyle was first noml-
mated by Alderman Dixon, the nomination
being seconded by Alderman Williams.
Mr.. c., D. Baldwin was nominated by AL
derman Mills as the minority's candidate,
the nomination being seconded by Alder
man Thomas. One ballot was all it took
10 decide the winner Capt. Doyle re-
ce1Ved nine votes, and the shattered hopes
of bygone days blossomed forth. much 70
the satisfaction of the defeated candidate
and his admirers All along Capt Doyle's
friends have believed he would land in
Council, and when it was known there
was to be vacancy, it was commonly ac-
cepted that he would be the choice of a
majority.
Mr.. Baldwin was complmented with two
votes, though IL was not expected that
he would be elected. He was candidate
for alderman on the AIcDonough ticket
and having received a hattering vote, the
successful candidates who ran with him
desired TO place themselves on record as
favorng one of their faction.
Alderman Tiedeman brought up the mat
ter of preparing rules for the government
Of Council, and moved that a committee
of three be appointed TO draft and SUBJ
nit them for approval at the next meet
ing. The vote was favorable, and Mayor
Myers appointed Aldermen Tie1eman, Mills
and Dixon on the committee
Ihe hrst report of the new finance COM
mittee was submitted during the meeting.
Mr.. H. NJ. Conner and Floyd & Co. petit
toned Council some time ago for dam
ages to crops on the Lawton plantation
cast OF the city. 1t was claimed the lands
had overflowed as a result of drainage
work done by the city, which changed the
natural course of the water flow.
rams We're taken by the committee to
give detailed explanation of their reason
Tor negative report on the petition It
sets out that the land was leased nv tbe
city, then sub-let to Mr.. II. F. Guilmar-
tin, who again sub-let it to the petition
ers. The city alleges its purpose in Ieas-
ing the land was to sub-let it on the con-
dtion no damages were to be allowed for
oVerfows. 1t was way 10
protect the city from lawsuits on this
account. 1t was not admitted the CITY
was responsible, the claim being made that
the overflow was caused by drainage work
done by the Plant System, who should be
properly he'd accountable for whatever
damage resulted. The committee did NOT
consider the city responsible in any way,
and they reported unfavorably.
1t is expected there win be another meet
hon he alt
partments will be considered. From pres
ent indications it looks as if the Offices of
city engineer and superintendent of pub
lie works will be run under the same
head. An effort was made by some YES
terday TO induce aldermen to change their
minds, but it was reported that all who
were approa ched expressed the c1iniov,
there must be consolidation and a reduc-
ton of expenses. Less money must he
expended, It was urged, and before tbe
rounds had been made, those endea voriur
TO stem the tide found the task was
iaborious one. Mayor Myers did nor nm
dertake to say what consultations will he
effected, but he declared there must he n
reduction in expenses, and that Counc.l
was inclined to believe the best wav IN
accomplish this was 90 rearranee tba
work He said Council would probahIv
consider the consolidation matter at the
next meeting.
Capt. Doyle was sworn in by Mayor NV
ers at o'c.ock in the afternoon in the
latters office Mr.. Hugh Logan was the
only spectator. Capt. Doyle was subse-
queutly notified by Clerk of Council Bailey
that he would seRve as chairman of the
market committee, and on the committees
on assessments and streets and lanes fl
ing the assignments originally given to
Alderman Screven.
1t is understood that there was some
question raised as to the eligibility of
Capt. Doyle for the aldermanship. but II
seems to have amounted to nothing of anv
importance.
BAD WEATHER ron COMMERCE.