The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-27
WAR DECLARED ON OFFICIALS.
LEADING SUPPORTERS OF MAYOR
ELECT MYERS SPEAK OUT.

De Got out-The Law Giving the
Old Board Power TO Elect Was 10
Facilitate the Deal, lie snys-NOt
Conservatism TO Retain officials
who Are Not in sympathy with the
Administration. lie Holds.
The issue as to the retention or displace-
ment of the city officials who were re-
tained in Office by the Meldrim admins
tration by the new administration IS to
be squarely made. Heretofore the dis
cussion of this subject has been largely
that INDUCED in by the workers in Mayor
elect Myers behalf whose hopes were
parents to the thought. Now the leaders
have declared themselves and in no un-
certain terms. The fight is 10 be squarely
made and those who fought and won the
election will demand that those officials
who undertook to thwart their efforts be
removed from office. The question is not
so much one of the spoils of Office as of
political revenge, or political justice, as
the people on the Myers side view it,
Solicitor General W. w. Osborne, in
whose hands largely rested the manage
ment and direction of Mr. Myers cam
paign expressed himself very forcibly
upon this subject last night. Mr. Osborne
had just read newspaper editorial ad-
voeatng the retention of Superintendent
of Public Works Harry Willink on the
ground of his capability, and the fact that
he had been retained by the present board,
which was formerly opposed TO him, be-
cause he had demonstrated his capacity
in the management of his department. Mr..
Osborne's view of the situation differs
Numerically from that, and he did not
hesitate to so express himself.
zone of the main and most prominent
issues presented to the people during the
recent campaign" said Mr. Osborne, was
the right of the incoming board to select
the officers who should serve II. The bill
which gave the outgoing board the right
to select officers for the incoming board
was never an issue in any election. 1t
was proposed and passed purely to enable
a partisan advantage to be taken by the
making of a deal and a traffic in offices
which would prevent opposition to those
i'm power Twice in four years has this
issue of the right of incoming boards to
elect their own officers been presented to
the people and on both occasions has it
received their unqualified Endorsement.
Speaking of the commonly expressed
opinion that the new board is a conserva-
tive one Mr.. Osborne said "Conserva-
tism does not necessarily mean the reten-
ton of every officer in the city's employ.
The incoming board would be thoroughly
justified in vacating every office. In fact,
It was an issue in the campaign and the
people are looking for it, They have faith
in those whom they have selected that
they will elect only capable men to any
office which may be vacated. This is the
conservatism which the people demand
and is all the conservatism that the peo-
pie expect"
"CapabIity is not the only quality re-
quired OF a municipal official" said Mr..
Osborne. Courteous treatment of citi-
zens who have business with them is also
exacted. and any officer or officers who
fan short Of this requirement should not
expect to be retained"
s"rhere are many officers now drawing
salaries" continued Mr.. Osborne. who,
experience teaches, could be dispensed
with. Their duties are nominal, and
large saving could be effected by the abo-
lition of some offices"
Upon the question of fitness being the
sole qualification required by the present
board in selection of officers" said Mr..
Osborne II am satisfied that nobody in
this community has any idea that this en-
tered at all into consideration when these
officers were chosen to succeed them
selves. If fitness alone had been the test
surely Maguire would have been retained
lie demonstrated his capablity to a com
mission, the members OF which were sup
posed to be unfriendly to him when they
accepted their appointments. He had their
Endorsement and the Endorsement of the
entire business community, including the
insurance men. His Endorsements were not
even read TO Council and Mcguire failed
of reelection. In my judgment the sole
reason why Mcguire failed of reelection
was because he was not in the deal which
was made by city officers with a view to
consolidate elements of political strength
and thus insure against oposition"
The suggestion that any of these Of
flcers be retained" said Mr.. Osborne. re-
ferring to those who had taken part In the
deal, ''hnds no response amongst the peo-
pie, and is purely gratuitous suggestion
from the defeated politicians. who make
It in the hope that they Will be able 10 re-
tain patronage by retaining these officials
in Office
MIR. Osborne's attention was called to the
Krouskom civil service ordinance adopted
at the meeting of Council Wednesday
night
The Krouskoff ordinance" he said "is
the Veriest sham effort at civil service re-
form that was ever attempted 10 be per-
peuated upon community In my fudg-
ment, Mr.. Krouskof himself was sincere
In his effort to introduce civil service re-
form, but his ordinance was held IN by
those who control until the election was
over, and the administration forces de-
feated, and is now nothing more than an
expiring effort 10 retain patronage. The
people have seen that the appointing mower
has been abused in the making of selec-
tons"
Mr.. Osborne disclaimed any intention IL
dictate or suggest to the members of the
new administration what should be done
by them in the matter of retaining or dis.
placing the officials placed upon the in.
coming board by the retiring Council. IL
does not propose that anyone shall remain
IN doubt as to his position in the matter
however, as is very evident from the fore.
going interview.
Mr.. Osborne does not mince matters al
all, and he does not hesitate 10 say tba,
he includes Chief OF Police McDermotl
among the officials who should not be re-.
tanned by the incoming administration. A,
20 the WAYS and means of 1tsDo..t,.. "a.