The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-20
WILL INVESTIGATE WOODWARD
COMMITTEE NAMED AS RESULT OF
BROUGHTON's CHARGES.


Has Proof and Insists That Wood
dard Repent and Reform.
Atlanta, June 19.-The arraignment of
1tavor James G. Woodward by DIR. L. G.
Broughton at the Tabernacle Baptist
Church last night in his sermon, resulted
This afternoon in the appointment of a
committee by the City Council to investi-
gate the charges made by the preacher.
This committee will take up the matter
at once and make a report to Council as
TO the advisability of insdtutng mpeach-
ment proceedings against the Mayor
The affair has been the subject of much
excitement among the politicians and 9TH
ers to-day, and when Council met this
afternoon the chamber was packed with
people. Mayor Woodward was not in the
city hall, being confined to his home by
illness. but DR.. Broughton was there and
insisted upon some action being taken in
the case. though it looked for a while as
If the Council would ignore the whole
thing and allow the Mayor an opportunity
10 mend his ways without call-down.
Those best informed as 10 the, facts in
the sensational case were of the opinion
that nothing could be done toward i'm
peaching the Mayor. because he has not
been guilty of any offense that would com
promise his official administration and for
this reason the councilmen felt that all
that could result from an official cogniz-
ance Of the charges made by DR.. Brough-
ION would be more publicity and humilia-
ting to the family of the Mayor without
any real good resulting therefrom.
What the Charges Were.
As the press dispatches have already
reported in his sermon last night Dr.
BroughtOn charged that Mayor WOODWARD
has been drunk two-thlrds OF the tme
since he was inducted into ONCE, ana that
he has also been guilty OF immoral con-
duct of such a fiagrant description that It
could not well be mentioned n the pulpit
one item in this immortality or the Mayor,
which Dr. Broughton has absolute proof
Of he declares, was that While at the
head of a committee OF councllmen
and citizens appointed 10 go 10
Washington to see President Mckinney
about sending troops here for encamp-
ment, Mayor Woodward had as his traV-
with whom he has become infatuated,
ondSthat he not only took her along with
him while on this trip, representing the
city. but he took her upon pass secured
in the name Of his Wife.
Besides this alleged escapade, which dis
gus-ed the other members of the COM
mlltee it is charged that the Mayor was
100 deep in his cups to know the President
from am Arab. There was lot OF talk
about this affair just after The return OF
the party, and il was thought at the
time thai something would happen to get
ii into print.
Figured in the Campaign.
The woman in the case, it is alleged, is
the same one who figured In the campaign
when a circular was issued and scattered
ubout the streets accusing Mr.. woodward
OF living a double life. This woman, II
is also said, has frequently made her ap-
peaiance al the city hail, coming in search
OF the Mayor, and several times almost
making a disgraceful scene.
Dr. Broughton did not go into these de-
tails in his arraignment last night, but
he said enough to startle the community,
al least that part of the community who
only know what is going on by what
they see in the newspapers, and he wound
up by demanding that the Mayor, who, ne
said, has been on a little jag" now for
he was a Disgrace 10 the city, and ought
10 be oustsd from office before The city
suffers further from his shameful conduct.
The preacher declared that If the Coun-
Gil did not take the initiative, he would
himself go before that body and demand
action; and he was as good as his word,
Tor he was there this afternoon ready TO
repeat in detail his accusations, but for
lhe adoption of another plan that made
j. unnecessary for him to be heard by the
Council
Went to WOOdward's House.
As has been stated, Mayor Woodward
III to attend to his official duties. This
morning, when DR.. Broughton's bomb
shell burst there was a scampering of
Mayor Woodward's political friends to-
ward his residence Several gentlemen,
with Hon Hoke Smith al their head, held
a long conference with The Mayor, and
- d-aser in the day DR.. Broughton him
set was called in.
He went to the home of Mayor Wood
"afd and saw the Mayors wife ana
Gaughter, who in the presence of Mr..
Smith and the other gentlemen. talked
me matter over with him and urged him
10 70 make as little publicity about the mat
Ter as posi- ble
DR.. Broughton listened sympa pathetically
10 the fearful wife and daughter of the
1M,dayor, VINO was lying in bed in another
room, but he was firm in his stand. He
was willing to be reasona bic, he said, bur
ne insisted that some action was neces-
sdryt lnasmuch as he held the proof or
az az mat he had alleged, and in the face
NJ NJ ms proof it was incumbent upon the
A9yor 10 mend his ways or resign from
once for the good of the city.
ne result of the conference at the home
OF the Mayor was that Mayor Woodward
egreed TO leave his case in the hands of
mr Hoke smith-he said he. was willing
20 put his resignation IN the hands of Mr..
naIHlth 10 be submitted to Council If he
'h3ought best, but this was not done.
Mt. Broughton suggested that the
mayor sign a confession of his m sdeeds
ana ana promise TO reform and this was
agreed 10.
Confession Was Discarded.
The confession, which practically admit
yea all that DR.. Broughton had alleged
es9pst the Mayor, was discarded by Mr..
smith after the conference. 1t was 70
nave Deen sent to Mr. Woodward's home
49,, ,or hls signature, but after thinking the
matter over this was not done, as, acting
TT Mr.. Woodward, Mr.. Smith and his
ends thought ii would be better to let
lne matter 90 before a committee Of
Council.
Up. Broughton went TO the council cham
ner @ expecting that the Mayors confession
Toad be presented, and ne said he was
S-'l prepared to advocate its acceptance,
S,,l tne granting of pardon to the Offend
,tS olIielal upon his promise that he would
nS 10 SO again, which was made part
NE document that had been drawn up.
T" " zen this paper was not Forthcoming,
~ Broughton became somewhat excited,
,ru SOME OF his churchmen and friends,
Gn2 We're present in large numbers, un-
an an. look 70 get Council to pass a resolution
loving MIN 10 make a speech reiteratng
da charges. The councimen would not
~ ms, however. and II was finally agreed
r,. -'al committee should be appointed a
.Ion 70 this effect being made by Coun-
I""uIaa Parks, d former emDloye OF the
er-vLnai, where Mayor Woodward is also