The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-12
MAYORS VOTE MAY DECIDE 1T.
COUNCIL SAID TO STAND SIN TO SIN
ON PLUMBING ORDINANCE.

Aldermen Thomas. Miils, FARRELL,
Williams. Graham and Doyle said
10 BE Against Ii end Aldermen
Dixon. Hncon. Tiedeman, Wells.
HAS and SchwHrz, Favor It-May-
or's Meter Proposition May Ada
Largely TO work in Water De-
partment-LittIe saving of Expense
in Proposed Change and Move
Looked Upon as Political.
Unless some of the aldermen have
changed their minds since the last meet
ing, 1t is likely Mayor Myers will be call
ed upon 10 cast the turning vote on the
plumbing ordinance. the object of which
is 10 consolidate the office OF Inspector
of plumbing with that OF inspector of the
water department a poll Of the board
yesterday, based on the opinions aldermen
have expressed on the subject was that
six aldermen for and six against the
passage Of the ordinance.
As was stated in the Morning News,
the original petition of few plumbers
asking that the two Offices be consolidated
was referred TO the joint committee of
water and public health. The complain
ing plumbers were heard at a special
meeting. but few reasons We're offered for
disturbing the present arrangement. The
hearing showed conclusively that the pc
ttion was an attack on Inspector Cos
grove for alleged incompetency. The
meeting lasted about two hours, during
which several speeches were made, but
the amount the city was to save by the
consolidation was not mentioned.
1t was currently reported that the joint
committee was unanimous in It's opinion
against change No report was made
to Council however. except in a general
way, and IL was not definitely known how
the committee stood. An alderman now re-
ports that half the joint committee will
support the pending ordinance, while the
other half will oppose It, 1t Is said Alder
men Bacon, Wells, Dixon, Tiedeman, Haas
and SchWarz favor the ordinance, while
Aldermen Thomas, Mills, Graham Jar
rel, Williams and Doyle oppose any
change
One alderman stated yesterday that it Is
very probable Mayor Myers may cast the
turning vote, which makes IL interesting 10
know how he stands. Some time ago the
Mayor was asked about the matter. He re-
piled that he thought the offices could be
consolidated at a saving 10 the city When
seen yesterday, ne was told how the board
was understood to stand and asked as TO
his opinion The Mayor assumed to be
somewhat amused to know how the uues-
tion stood but did not care to express an
opinion. He is known to favor consoli-
dating the Offices. however, aud to give
the inspector of the water department an
assistant Ii is not known what pecuniary
gain the city will derive from this
Mayor Myers advocacy of the water
meier system an Savannah indicates that
there Is chance for the inspector of the
water department 10 soon have mora
duties than he will be able to perform. II
is stated he will have to keen an the
meters in working order, which will alone
be task. II this increased work is nut
in the water department il is asserted the
duties of plumbing inspector win soon be
lost sight of in the shuttle and the de-
partment may lose its identity as the most
important in preserving the public health
Inc aldermen against a change urge that
the large number of drainage connections
soon 70 be made, and the Introduction of
water meters, will give the water deDart-
ment more work than 1t can properly per
form.
A decided majority approve the plumb
ing department. and are anxious for Coun-
Gil 10 keep il separate from others.
largely signed petition from property own
ers and agents, nearly all the plumbers.
and the Endorsement of the sanitary board
are before Council protesting against any
change. 1t is believed however that for
financial and political reasons the ordl-
nance viii be passed.
In ordinary appointments II Is not ex-
peeted that partisan body in power viii
recognize fitness and capabllity altogeth-
er, said property owner yesterday, but
in appointments which affect the health
and life of the people to the extent that
the placing of a thorough, conscientious
man with experience knowledge and
judgment and fearlessness to do right
in an Office like that of plumbing in
spector, the Council plays with the lives
of the people if it allows itself to be in
huenced by any other interest than the
duty which 1t owes to the public and which
the aldermen are under oath to perform.
An instance of the influences
that sometimes control elections han
peptd in recent election by the
Council An alderman was asked
to vote for candidate for an OF
flee which was to be filled. Il know YOU
TO he a competent man and I will be glad
TO vote for you unless il has been agreed
that the place shall 20 to some one whom
the leaders owe il TO-" is said to have
been the substance of his reply
The purpose of Council in making tho
change in the office of plumbing inspector
IS stated 10 be a reduction of expenses.
1t is now understood that in event of the
proposed change to the water works de-
partment the inspector will be given an
assistant and that there will be little or
no saving in expenses, and, besides tnat
the office will be out of the hands of a
practical plumber and the original pur-
pose Of the plumbing ordinance will be
destroyed