The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-13
NEW CITY OFFICERS QUALIFY.
THEY TOOK THE OATH AND GAVE
THE REQUIRED BONDS.

1t Is said He Iolu AOl. Dixon Ahe
"Hatchet Was on the Shelf" as
They stood with Hands Joined.
Understood There VIII he No
Changes in Clerical Forces.
When Mayor Meldrim arrived at the city
exchange yesterday at ! o'clock he was
greeted by nearly all of the successful
candidates at the Councilmanc election
Wednesday night, ready 10 be sworn in as
city officers for the ensuing two years.
With but few exceptions the depart
ments were nominally turned over to new
hands.
The assemblage in Clerk of Council
Bailey's Office might have been correctly
called one huge smile. AS the offcehold
ers were accompanied by bondsmen in
many instances the number of visitors
was somewhat large While the process
Of putting on the finishing touches TO the
previous nights work was going on in
the Mayors private office, The crowd re-
manned outside discussing the victories,
defeats and numerous close calls the can
didates had in the election.
Mayor Meldrim stood in the center of the
room, smoking a cigar, and enjoying the
situation. AS those who have battled
with him for the past two years approach
ed to take the oath for another term the
Mayor politely accommodated them. Now
and then he had a few words to say, but
for the most part he recited the oath, re-
ceved the oficeholder's affirmation, and
then let him retire. This process continued
until all had passed through the mill.
The more important officers are required
10 give bonds for the proper discharge of
their duties The following Is a partial
list of those vino took the oath and the
bonds they gave:
Superintendent Of Water Works-H. NJ.
Lotion. Bond of 5000, given by f. c.
Gleason and Merritt w. Dixon
Clerk of City Court-Waring Russell Jr.
Bond of 5000, given by Jacob Cohen and
Daniel O'Donovan.
Chief Fireman-Mlchael Haney. Bond
of $4,000 given by J. Il. Minis and Charles
F. Prendergast.
Chief of Polce-Frank MoDermott. Bond
of $1,000, given by f. c. Gleason and Henry
Blum.
Sheriff of City Court-E. J. whelan.
Bond of $1,000, given by NJ. J. Kavanaugh
and James f. Furlong.
Superintendent of Public Works-Harry
Willnk. Bond of 5000, given by Henry
Blum and NJ j. Kavanaugh.
Assistant Chief of Police-Owen F. Reil-
ly. Bond of $1,000, given by f. S. Lathrop.
Clerk of Market-Lee P. Masters Bond
of $4,000, given by f. C. Gleason and Daniel
O'Donovan.
A number of other bonds were given, but
they were under $1,000 some being as low
as $500 Those who have not yet exc
cuted bonds will be required to do so at
once as this is one of the prerequisites to
a certificate of election.
There was reported 20 have been a tab
leau in the Mayors office while the quail
flying was iu progress, which attracted
a great deal of attention. A number of
Liberal Club men were telling 1t in the
exchange lobby that Superintendent of
Public Works Wnlink had formally laid
up the Ratchet" and declared his ale
glance to the Liberal faction As the rumor
had it, Mr.. Willink and Col Merritt w
Dixon clasped hands and while they were
standing in this attitude, 1t Is said Mr.
Willink formally declared he had rehn-
pushed all semblanee of support to those
seeking 10 oppose the Liberal Clubs nom
inee, and would affiliate with the party
in the election of such candidates as 1t
brought out Neither Mr. Willink nor Col
Dixon vouched for the conversation, but
some of their friends who stood close by
at the time, took pleasure in telling what
they had heard.
For the past month there has been con-
siderable conjecture about the stand Mr.
Willink would take in the coming election
1t was commonly known that he had close
ly allied himself with Liberal Club lead
ers, but it seems their protested friend
ship was to be demonstrated before he
decided to swing loose entirely from one
side to the other
When asked about the episode which it
Is claimed brings Mr. Willink to the front
in support of Mr. McDonough and his
ticket a leader said he was not at all
surprised. What else could he do?" he
inquired. He asked our party for an Of
flee, and 1t was given to him by an al
most unanimous vote. There should be
no need for his declaring where he stands. "
The alderman who cast the only vote
against Mr.. Williuk gave the reason for
his action yesterday, but preferred that his
name be Withheld From the start, he
said, he thought it was the intention of
Council to support party men, where the
qualification Of the candidates were equal.
1t seems he did not look upon Mr.. Will
link as a Liberal Club man. and for that
reason cast a ballot against him. 1T
strikes me Council got off the line in many
instances" he said. Taking care of our
own people Is lIe llisl pllhtipit OL our
club yet we have failed to do it. While
/ am party man, and intend TO stick hard
and fast to the Liberal Club, notwith-
standing some of our best men have been
downed for those who have fought us ]
Insist we have violated one of the first
principles we pledged ourselves to adopt
Many interesting stories were told about
the election, both by the successful and
the defeated candidates. Not a man got
the votes he claimed were pledged" tc
him. One candidate who got through by
one vote, said he had the votes of ten al
dermen absolutely pledged to him. Much
10 his surprise. however. 1t turned Out
that some of them fell by the wayside
They were lost in the shuttle An alder
man volunteers the statement that he un
derstood ten votes were pledged" to &
candidate whom he was actively support
ing. but his man didn't get over four votes
an any ballot. There are always uncer
tainties TO expect in elections but it Seems
the present was rather prolific in them
Now that things have become settled a
the city exchange, the employees will ge
down to work again with the satisfaction
that attention to business may be tn
means Of keeping them in office anothe
est- Tp.,fr