The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-29
NEW COUNCILS INSTALLATION
WILL co INTO OFFICE AT NOON
TO-MORRON.

The Retiring Board VIII Hold n
Brief Session. After which the
Newly Elected Members VIII BE
Sworn In by Judge FalIigant.
Mayor 1ieIdrim Does Not Believe
the New Council VIII BE Inhuenc-
ed by Politicians to Make Changes
I'm city Omces-He Says They
Would he Puppets" to Allow
Themselves Led in That Way.
The reins of Savaunahs municipal con-
troll win change hands tomorrow, wh.n
the present Council win retire and the
newly elected Mayor and aldermen viii be
sworn into office for the ensuing two
years. There viii be more or less formal
ity attached to the proceedings, which will
include brief address by Mayor Meldrim,
and also a few remarks by Mayor-elect
Myers. who as to again assume charge Of
the office he surrendered two years ago.
Looking forward to the installation Of
the new board. the present Council sue
ceeded at It's last meeting in disposlng of
all business which would have required
a great deal of attention. The fear of hav-
ing a long time 20 wait for the retiring
aldermen to take their seats in the long
room, therefore, win not discourage those
who may desire to attend the installation.
The personal friends of the retiring Off
Gals will doubtless fill the Council cham
Der, but aside from these. it is likely thct
there will be a large number of Mayor
elect Myers more enthusiastic supporters
who will not lose the opportunity of see
ing their candidate seated.
At u o'clock the old board will appear
IN open meeting for the purpose of sign
ing the minutes of the previous meeting.
Very little time will be consumed, as there
will not be a departure from the usual
method of confirming the minutes, as
previously published. This done, Mayor
Meldrim Will announce the presence Of
the newly elected Council, which will be
assembled in the Mayors private office.
The newcomers will be ushered into the
Council chamber by City Marshal Power.
The programme will be in the hands of
Judge Robert Falligant, who has several
times administered the oath of Office TO
the board of Mayor and aldermen. There
viii be no Formally in the taking of the
oath, and if the aldermen are sworn in as
a whole, few minutes viii complete the
proceeding.
Mayor Meldrim is establishing a prece-
dent, or. rather, making an innovation,
in submitting his annual report, which
will be handed Mayor Myers as he takes
his seat. Particular care has been taken
In the preparation of the report which,
II is thought, covers the detailed opera
lions of the city government for the last
two years, together with a report of the
city's financial condition. In connection
with the report, Mayor Meldrim will have
something to say to the incoming Council
about the work of his administration. 1t
Is his intention to extend the best wishes
of the retiring board to the new Council.
and to wish it every success in the impor-
tant work it is TO undertake. Standing on
the threshold of a new administration, the
experiences of the last two years will af-
ford Mayor Meldrim a text upon which
10 talk TO the new board. Everything in
dicates that the installation will be a
pleasant affair, and that the new Council
VIII enter upon the discharge of its duties
under the most suspicious circumstances.
The thirst for office has created no end
OF talk as to the course the new board
VIII pursue with regard to removals
While interviews recently published indi-
cate that a conservative policy will be
adopted no one gainsays that the installa-
ton of the new Council does not mean "A
ehht in some prominent office holders
Ihose who have been most active in the
election of Mr. Myers have raised a hue
and cry to turn the rascals out" bur II
looks like they will have some trouble i'm
getting the aldermen, or, at least. a few
VINO have expressed themselves, to agree
with them that general slaughter of Of
hce holders is for the best.
Mayor Meldrim discussed the outlook
yesterday, but not from the standpoint of
one who knows what Is to come in the
way of changes. That the newly elected
board Will be harassed by Office seekers.
ana the friends of those who are after
once, he said, goes without saying The
lives of the members viii be miserable for
awhile. Every man who voted for Mr.
Myers will either have a choice. or win
be called upon to indorse some applicant
for office.
II many changes are made" said Nav
or Meldrim, 1t will he because the new
board allows the politicians to make pun
pets OF them. For the most part the new
members are conservative men. and the
changes they make will doubtless be be-
cause of some good and sufficient reason
There were not many changes in CITY Of
heers when l took charge of the citv's af-
fairs, and can truthfully say l never dis
placed one man ard put another in his
place for political reasons il is everlast-
ingly wrong, and l never tolerated this
practice where N was in my power to pre-
vent It,"
With reference to the consolidation of
offices Mayor Meldrm said that such a
course would merely be a device to get rid
of the present incumbents. There is a
way TO run che city's surplus to the ton
notch, he said. do away with the de-
partments, clean out the city exchange
let city property 80 into decay, and con-
tinue to collect taxes; this is one way 10
save money. But such a policy is sham
and fraud. The City Council is in con-
trol of all the city's property. and it Is It's
duty 10 preserve that property, and i'm
prove il when necessary"
WAITING FOR THE FIRST MOVE.