The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-07
PROMISES A STIFF FIGHT.
str one Backing for Aid. smith n He
Goes fn for Superintendent.

Goes i'm for Superintendent.
There is every probability Of an exdit-
ing race to the finish, ia IS stated, be-
tween Alderman John Smith and ex-Com-
missioner of Public Works Wmink for
election by Council 10 the new Office Of
superintendent of public works. Alderman
Smith will have some strong backing.
large element of the Liberal CLUB is op-
posed to the retention Of Mr.. Wilhnk IN
office, and it viii come 20 Mr.. Smiths as
sistance if he goes into the race with the
vim that Is looked for Mr. Smith is
recognized as being competent to handle
the work, and he mas the additional virtue
In the eyes of the Liberalites Of having
been with them from the beginning, sEe
having been on the Duncan aldermanlc
ticket four years ago.
Many Of those who are inclined to sup
port MIR. Smith for the superintendenus
place hold that IL would be bad politics
10 elect Mr.. Willink. thar it would weaken
the candidacy Of Mr.. McDonough for the
mayoralty TO retain the former commits
sioner of public works in what is recog-
nzed as about the best job in The
gift OF the city. As Commits
sioner of Public Works Mr. Wiliink made
many enemies among the Ldberalites from
the start, and great many of them, haV-
ing long memories, have not forgotten for
Iner political animosties Al the same
time Mr.. WiEink, in the last two years
has changed a number of his old antagon-
lists from opponents into supporters, and
Is in a position to put up a pretty stiff
fight
Ii has been gossiped for some time that
many OF the former political associates Of
Mr.. Willink in the Citizens Club are now
against him politically, and that they
show no inclination at all to call upon
him for support or assistance. Indeed, IL
would not be surprising, judging from
what Is heard, if they would be willing
to wipe out the office of superintendent Of
public works in the event that they should
run an opposition ticket and win in the
election for Mayor and aldermen. There
has been no other change in Savannah
| politics that has been so radical as this.
Alderman Smiths friends are not wor-
red by the talk that if elected superin-
tendent Of public works he would be in
| eligible. The law that it is claimed would
| make it impossible for him to take the
office is as follows
BE it enacted by the general assembly
| OF Georgia, and IL is hereby enacted by
authority of the same, That from and at
ter the passage of this act the cOuncilmen
and aldermen of the towns and cities of
| tdis state shall be incompetent TO hold
| except in towns of less than 2000 inhabi-
| tants, any other municipal office in said
| towns and cities during the time for which
| they were chosen; provided that nothing
| herein contained shall apply 10 any mu-
nicipal office which is to be filed by APP
| pointment by the Mayor"
The last provision of the act. that per
| hitting an alderman to fill an office by
| appointment of the Mayor during the term
| to which he had been elected. was put in
| in order to allow Mr.. Willink to take the
| position of Commissioner of Public Works.
| When the bin creating that office was
| drafted it appears that it was decided m
| advance that Mr.. Willink should be an
| pointed to it. He was an alderman. elect
| ed to the Legislature. After the Commits
| sioner of Public Works had been created
| II was remembered that there was another
| state law which would render it impossible
| for Mr. Willink to take the office. his
| term of office as alderman having a wear
| still TO run. To get around this. and not
| attract TOO much attention in the do
| ing, 1t seems that Representative Monroe
| from small country county. was induced
TO introduce the amended bill. permitting
| an alderman 10 accept an appointive Of
| nee. This bill passed about an hour he
fore the legislature adjourned 1t was a
! close shaVe, but Alderman Willink was
| enabled to accept the cOmmissionerShiD.
Inc superintendent's place, though. is
elective by Council and SO the first part
OF the law is claimed to make it impossi-
bic for Mr. Smith 20 take the office His
term as alderman does not expire until
jan 81, while the election for superihtend-
ent of public works takes place on Ian
! IL, nineteen days before that time Under
| the law the new terms of city officers he
gin on Jan. y. Alderman Smiths friends
are not much disturbed by this. though
and VIII not worry over the future if thew
| can get the required number of votes ia
! elect him. If he gets thoroughly into the
race, it will be hard to tell before the cleo
ton occurs which viii win.