The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-14
MELDRIM MAY ENTER FIGHT.
POSSIBLE HE'LL RESENT ATTACKS
ON HIS ADMINISTRATION

He Declares 1t Is Not the Policy OF
the Liberal Club to Place only It's
Men in Municipal Omces-They
May Get Preference, but "Fit and
Proper Persons" Are Those tia
Club Is Bound TO SeIect-Era dica-
ton of FactiOnaIism the Purpose.
The Mayor Hopes His Administra-
ton Wont Be Attackcd-ERect OF
1t May Bring Him Into the Discus
siOns.
VIII Mayor Meldrim figure in the cam
paign?
He has not said as much, but his pointed
utterances to a representative of the
Morning News yesterday were such that
it may be positively stated the chances
are he will take a hand, and win make
it warm for any who try to make po.lti-
cal capital by assailing the record of the
present administration. The part Mayor
Meldrim takes in the coming fight will be
governed entirely by circumst ances.
Reference in the course of a conversa-
ton to the recent election by Council
brought forth some strong assertions from
the Mayor as to the boards policy in Sc
lecting municipal officers. His ideas are
in accord with those expressed in the
speech he made at the meeting at which
Mr.. A1cDonough was nominated, but they
are adverse to those of party loyalty en-
tertained by many of the board of alder
men.
1T is not the policy of the administra-
ton 90 elect party men alone to municipal
offices" said Mayor Meldrim. This was
demonstrated at the meeting of Council
Wednesday night, when Supt. Willink was
! reelected to the Office he has filed so ac
ceptably. Two years ago he was one of
| the bitterest partlsans against the Lib
eral Club Council recognized the fact
that during his term of office, however,
he has made an Efficient pains-taking Of
| fetal, and one who has made it a point
to look to the best interests of the city.
! Setting aside politics. the board desired
20 elect a fl and proper person to fill this
! important office. The fact they recognized
/ Mr.. Wilink 5 public service, and reelected
! HIM by majority of y to /, cannot be
! looked upon as anything short of a high
| compliment.
And the same may be said of Supt
! Lotion. Council looked solely to his ca
! pacity in making the selection, and while
| there were other candidates in the field,
the aldermen doubtless felt constrained to
| give due regard to the record and ability
of iucumbents in making selections"
DO you understand it to be the policy
! of the Liberal Club to put faction men in
! Officer" Mayor Meldrim was further asked.
''NO. sir ] do not II is the clubs inteu-
tion to fill offices with men fully qualified
! to attend TO the business entrusted to
| them Whatever inclination there may be
to favor one applicant over another the
! principle of competency and efficiency
/ must be constantly kept in view and OBJ
served, The club is working to eradicate
factionallsm.'
Mayor Meldrim was asked in view of the
approaching fight, whether he will take a
band in the campaign work, if called upon
to make a speech.
"At the present am absorbed In work. -
he replied, having business in three
| courts now in session. l cannot speak
| positively, because I do not know what
| may follow 1t is my sincere wish that
the administration be not attacked. how
ever in the course of the discussions that
may be engaged in during the campaign. -
A positive answer was not given to the
question: but Mayor Meldrim strongly in
timated that if it becomes necessary for
him to go before the people in defense
of the work Of his Council, he is ready
and willing to do it, He insisted thai
all that the board contemplated had been
| accomplished. It had undertaken work
| previous Councils had shirked, he said
and all the money expended had brought
the city the fullest returns. Not dollar
! had been squandered, and not a cent had
gone out, the expenditure of which haC
not. been thoughtfuliy considered Thos<
who attempt to arraign the administra.
ton. the Mayor said, may be forced tC
admit that an effort is being made 10 en-,
large on mole hills for political effect
1t has been the gossip for several days
that the first dash of the opposition viii
be at the administration, which will bt
probed for flaws to fight the Liberal Club
1t is this talk that has aroused Mayor
Meidrim, who hopes the issues win bC
along other lines, and that the stereotypeC
attacks on the policies of the administra
ton" will be set aside for once.