The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-30
HIS RESIGNATION MAY GO IN.
AID. WILLIAMS STILL DISsATIs-
FLED WITH COUNCILS ACTION.

ANNAA-ttA 10 AAHtAA1 cANEEA
committee's Recommendation to
Exchange Property-AId. Thomas
Says No Reflection Was Intended.
Ala. Haas Thinks Aid. Williams
Justified in Hts Complaint.
Members Of the city Council regret that
the reversal of the report recommending
the exchange of city property for other
property to open streets, made at the last
meeting by the committee on city lots
and opening streets. has been taken so
seriously by Alderman Williams, who has
intimated that his resignation may fol-
low. Aldermen who favored the reversal
say the exercise Of their judgment should
not be regarded as reflection upon those
who think differently.
While it may not be understood by Al
derman Williams, the reversal of the
committees report does not mean that
/ the proposed exchange of remnant Bull
street lots for obstructing property at
Bull and Fifth owned by Mr.. ]. deBruyn
Hops, assistant city engineer, was not a
good trade for The city. The point seems
| to have been the advisability of trading
with city employe, who has better op-
portunity than the aldermen of learning
about property Of special value to the
city and 10 citizens. II was feared thar
the ratification of a trade with an ems
ploye that would lead to the possible en-
barrassment of citizens would not be look
| ed upon favorably by them. Those who
opposed the committees report did so be-
cause they didn't care 10 give an employee
an opportunity to squeeze" citizens, if
he desired TO do so or pace him in posi-
ton to dictate terms to them.
Alderman Thomas expressed regret
when he heard of the report that
Alderman Williams thought of resgning
from Council because of the reversal Il
have high regard for Alderman Wit
liams, he said, ''and feel that the city
real estate transactions are in the hands
OF safe, conservative business man. But
when the report came up in Council its
adoption would have become the act of
the entire board If there We're any who
differed with the committee / think they
could vote adversely without In any way
rejecting upon its Judgment. In the re-
marks l made nothing was intended as
personal TO Alderman Williams, or any
other member of the committee. l do not
think II proper to ratify the exchange of
city property with an empIoye, knowing
that the result would he severe criticism
upon Council by property owners con-
cerned in case they had trouble with Mr. !
deBruyn Hops Besides the reasons
stated at the time for my objections /
had others, which l do not care TO men
ton publicly"
Alderman Haas made an effort to pour
OIL on the trouble waters by moving the |
aHoplon OF the report. He is inclined to
neheYe the conversion of Alderman Tiede- |
man IN open meeting had much to do with
rG tha hr,
eAined to believe it was safer to recommit
y When the committee divided and seemed |
TO doubt the advisability of its ADOPTION.
luliy realize that it is not pleasing |
TO an alderman 10 endeavor to consum |
mate Whet he considers to be a good trade |
Tor Inc city, and then have his Judgment |
Glsfegaraed by Council" said Alderman |
Haas. From Alderman Williams state |
ment no doubt remained in my mind bur |
the agent to whom the property was |
turned over for sale had made every effort
TO induce the abutting property owners to
ouy az private sale and thereby protect
themselves. When satisfied that they
manifested an unWillingness to buv |
thought it perfectly proper to adopt the
report Notwithstanding the second party
happened 10 be a city enpIoye It must be
understood that the city will always ex-
tend every protection to taxpayers but
when they show indifference Of this kind
~
not know whether abuttIng property own
ers who were offered the remnant lois
think the city viii dispose of them at anv
price or not. 1t must nor be understood |
that the city will sacrifice the interests
of all property owners for a few of them
Fair and timely notice of The city's inten-
ton TO sell the lots at private sale is all
the consideration / think is due the abut-
ting property owners
1t seems to be understood that the citv
may realize less il the lots are put uD AT
auction than it would if they are offered
at private sale. Alderman Williams is
evidently of the opinion that the nron-
erty owners have concluded thew
have the city where it cannot
mako move detrimental to their in
terests He says 1t is not desired 10 do
so, but If they viii not accept the most
liberal propositions when il is known he
properly must be Sold other methods will
have 20 be adopted.
My instructions to the agents were IN
take. notes from those persons who were
unable 90 pay cash." he said Even then
1t seems he could not get any offers What
is the city to do? Shall those property
owners be allowed to block the eity's oper-
ATOMS mere remains nothing more to
ne done, and this was the case when onr
report was made. If the board is 10 re-
verse the recommendations Of commit
tses for purely sentimental reasons II
VIII certainly hinder the conduct of tho
public business. Unless there are stron,
reasons for not adopting a report | feel
that the committees should be sustained
do not consider there are any reasons
for reversal when every effort has hee, /
made to do justice to all, and when the
proposed transaction is admitted TO he N
the interest of majority Of taxpavers . l
While it is believed enough prsssi1re
will be brought TO bear to induce AIder- [
man Williams to reconsider any contem-
plaiion 90 resign, it seems equally pron-
able that reports of committees In futur. {
will be even more deliberately considarod c
than they have been in the past. maj ]
vidual pride is taken by aldermen In their S
work, and when they arrange for trad.
they think we'll for the city to make IL 10 ]
not encouraging to them to he reversed
by their fellow alderman unless The req {
sons for it are wei understood.
1t was remarked yesterday that the fee,-
ing against Mr.. deBruyn Hops is due 70
the fact that he got the better side oe =
a transaction with the Meldrim hoard ~
The committee win reconsider fhe ro \
port, but it is stated that Air. Brlvn Ear,- h
will not entertain the proposnion f,,rth 70 h
~ .nnt l