The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-27
MAYOR AND RECORDER CLASH.
MAYOR SAYS RECORDER HAS MOTH
ING TO DO WITH BONDSMEN.

ING TO DO WITH BONDSMEN.
The Police Judge Should Have Con-
ferred with Him, He Says. Before
'Hushing into Print" with Charges
Against His Official ActiOns-Says
Mr.. HartrIdGe Is Undertaking to
Create Campaign Thunder, which
the Recorder Dcntes-Mr. Hart
ridges Statement of His CoIIOquy
with the MayOr-TwO Opinions Of
Mr.. McBride's Eligibility as n
BondsmRn.
There was a lively colloquy at the police
barracks yesterday morning between
Mayor Myers and Recorder Harridge, on
account of the remarks of the latter re-
ported In the Morning News upon the sub
ject Of professional bondsmen for the po-
lice Court, and holding the Mayor resPon-
sible for sustaining these bondsmen after
the Recorder had ordered that they no
longer be accepted on bonds.
Mayor Myers tod Recorder Hartridge
that he was the head Of The police depart
ment, and that he did moi propose to be
dictated to by the Recorder. The Record
er retorted that he did not propose TO be
overridden in the discharge Of his duties.
There were remarks about politics and
ciscourtesy from each side, but the dis
cussion was kept within parliamentary
bounds. and the two gentlemen proceeded
on their separate ways without endanger-
ing the peace.
Mayor Myers. when asked what he had
to say about Mr.. Hartridge's remarks IS
TO professional bondsmen, replied that he
attributed It all to politics. Il am at loss
10 account for Mr.. Hartridges action 9TH
erwise." he said. He has seen fit 10 rush
into print and to enlarge upon a minor
matter, with the evident intention of
bringing discredt upon me. when he had
never consulted or advised with me on the
subject I have always been ready to
confer with Mr.. HaTtridge upon any ques-
ton relating to the discharge Of his duties
in the Police Court. whether Of policy or
eApediency, and he cannot say that he has
not always found me courteous and con-
s!derate. Il looks very strange that ne
should not have taken the trou-
bic TO consult me before 60
ing into print about this mat
ter. II ne could have shown me that MI
James Mcbride, whom. / understand, is
the person chiefly complained of. was in
capacitated 10 serve as bondsman or that
there was any judgment against him
which he had failed TO pay because Of
bends which had been forfeited which he
had signed. 7 would have sustained him IN
his view Of the matter"
THE facts ia the case so far as ] am
aware of them said Mayor Myers ere
that Mr. Mcbride came to me bout seven
months ago and complained that the ser
geants at She police barracks had refused
20 allow him 10 act as 3Ondsmen. giving
as their reason that the Recorder had 50
instructed them. ! found that he had fire.
ouentiy served as a oondsman and that
no bond upon which he had served had
ever been estreated and that besides. he
was possessed Ok some property or in bust
ness for himself. ard I concluded that
there was no reason why he should not
act as g bcn0sman. ! accordingly noti-
fed the superintendent OF police 70 permit
Mr.. Mcbride 10 serve as a bondsman, and
heard no more Of the matter unta Nj
Hart1dge's interview in the Morning News
this morning. II he had any good rea-
sons for Directing to Mr., Mcbride or any
one else as a bondsman IL would have
been a very simple matter for him to have
discussed the subject with me before go
ing into print
THE Recorder" continued Mayor Myers
has nothing to do within the bonds. any
way, until case is called in court. That
Is a matter entirely with the police de
partment and the superintendent of po-
lice is responsible 10 me as the head Of
that department, II parties for whom bond
has been given fail to appear In Police
Court the Recorder has the right to order
their bonds TO be sent up to the Superior
Court for estrcatment. II does not mat
ter whether the parties are arrested later
OF not. If they fell TO appear in court
al the time specified their bonds are for
feited'
at understood bar
6ional bondsmen in New York" said the
Mayor. but ! never knew until to-day
that we had anything of the kind in Sa-
vannah II seems. though that Mr. Nc
Bride has been standing a good many
bonds ] looked up the case OF Brown,
the negro, whom Mr. Hartridge also
charges with being q professional bonds
man, and found him to be q worthy reli-
able man, with a good business OF his own.
Such bondsm9n cannot be objected 10,
TO matter how many bonds he chooses to
sign"
This is not the first time" said Mayor
Myers in conclusion, chat this ambitious
young politician has used the press and
his oratorical powers In attempting to poi
son the public mind against me. 1t looks
very much like he is trying 10 create
some campaign literature 20 be used at
the next session Of the legislature IN the
interest of a bill, which ! understand is
10 be introduced, repeating the act au-
thorizing the Mayor to pronounce judg-
ment when presiding in the Police Court
with the Recorder. or for some other po-
ltical reason. As citizen ana public
official / have FOR number Of years en-
deavored to advance the best interests OF
this city commercially and otherwise. and
shall continue my efforts to do So Mr.
Hartridge and others TO the contrary"
RECORDER GTIIT. nysEry Avn