The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-08
MAKING A FIGHT TO HOLD ON.
CITY OFFICERS TRYING TO BREAK
THE SLATE OF CHANGES.


introduced TO-night-others Pre-
dicted to Go Are Apt to Follow
SoOn-City Engineer Winn and
Plumbing inspector COsgrOve En-
deavOring 10 Pursuade Council
Not to Consolidate Their Offices
with Others-COsgroVe Claims
Plumbing Omce Is SeIf-SuppOrting.
Changes 10 BE Further Discussed
when Finance Committee Submits
Its Report Tonight.
The activity of office holders at the City
Exchange yesterday demonstrated mat
those whose removal had been predicted
gave fun credence to the reports. The jar
was felt by the entire aldermanic board
many of whom were waited upon during
the day by Office holders in their efforts TO
stem the approaching tide.
There is every reason TO believe the
changes mentioned will be made by Coun-
Gil, but all of the ordinances viii not prob
ably be introduced at to-nights meeting.
1t comes from an authoritative source that
the four ordinances abolishing the offices
of clerk Of the market. plumbing inspector
food inspector and messenger of Council
will be introduced and appointments made
TO fiji the offices not consolidated with
others. Mr.. Thomas Reynolds will get the
market house job, which viii carry with
it the duties OF food inspector, who Is
scheduled TO go by the board entirely. 1t is
understood Messenger of Council Cohen is
TO go up as a sacrifice to Mr.. John Harri-
son, who has been an applicant for the po-
sition since the election. If Uncle John"
fails to land ne win doubtless feel the
disappointment keenly as he has been
casting a wistful eye toward Cohen's JOB
for some time.
While this may complete the changes
it is expected Council viii make tonight,
IL viii not be surprising if il goes fur
Their Besides the abolishing of the city
engineers office, which is slated for con-
solidation with that of the superintendent
of streets and lanes, to be given to Mr.
George NJ. Gadsden, and Marshal Pow
ers office, which is also scheduled to go
Is generally understood that Recorder
Hartridge Will be ousted. 1t may be nee
essary to retire Mr.. Hartridge in an in
direct way, if 1t can be done at all BY
aDohshing the Office, it is said the duties
OF recorder would again fall to the May
or ana as 1t is not desired to place any
additional work on him, the plan to
restore Mr.. Hartridge to civil life is said
70 be the reduction of his salary. Judging
from his assertions, Mr.. Hartridge does
not consider this an easy let-down. He
mas tacedousy remarked that he will
SUCK TO EN- through these tactics. If the
salary is reduced to a shilling a month
city Engineer Vim was actively among
aldermen in endeaVoring 10 learn the real
cause Tor the contemplated move to abol-
ish his office. Since 1883 he has managed
affairs In the engineering department and
the fact the work has generally increased
from year to year, he says, makes ii diff
cult to understand why the city fathers
see proper to dispense with il. Col. Winn,s
evident purpose is to put forth all his en-
deavor to hold the office, usefulness of
which, he says, depends on its being re-
tanned in its integrity. If combined with
another he says the department
Will lose its identity as a branch of the
city government. Col. Winn's friends feel
that his services, made valuable by years
OF experience in all branches of engineering
work, will guarantee him a good position
in some department, if Council carries out
It's intentions in abohshing the office.
There is considerable opposition to
consolidating the plumbing Inspectors Of
flee with the water department, An in
huence will be brought to bear against the
passage of the ordinance, and unless IL is
rushed through tonight, the prospects are
it will so up against a literally signed pc
ution. The idea in consolidating the Of
flee is to save the city the inspectors sal
airy of $1,000, but ii will be urged that the
office is self-sustaining. 1t is claimed the
city treasurer is not called on
for much of this amount, as the
fees for inspections almost equal the
amount of the salary. A fee of fifty cents
Is allowed for each fixture inspected, and
in the course of a month the amount from
this source reaches a snug sum.
Figures were obtained yesterday show
ing the amounts of bills sent the city
treasurer for collection since the office
was created. For June, so was turned
over for collection, July $780, August
$500. September $74.5O, October $92. co. No
vember $6l5O, and December $780,
inspector Cosgrove explained that he
could have made money for the city if he
had received the fun benefits of the ordi-
nance. One section provides that he shall
receive 81 for each inspection of sewer con
nections. but eX-Superintendent Wflhnk
claimed that this referred to the new
drainage system and not to the storm wa
ter sewers. On this account
big revenue was lost An
inspector in Mr.. Willinks office got So
for each new connection inspected. When
connections begin with the new system
L
for his salary TO funds In the treasury.
A large number of free inspections made
at the public building and for the health
department increased the work, bur les
sened the receipts.
petition has been started asking Conn
ell TO retain the plumbing inspectors Of
nee as means of promoting good plumb
ing and thereby helping to preserve the
city health II Is stated that the board
OF plumbing examiners and some of the
sanitary board favor retaining the office.
Before any Of the contemplated changes
are discussed tonight it is understood
the Council win consider the report of
the finance committee final meeting
OF the committee was held yesterday after
noon at the exchange, and all matters
pertaining to the report were decided upon
A comprehensive statement of the coty's
financial status has been arranged. il Is
stated, and viii be submitted to the COM
mtttee Of the whole. As soon as
Council decides the exact amount that
will have to come off the budget. things
viii be in condition to talk more about
changes While 1t is believed the finan-
81 nl etu faVt mill