The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-20
Drummer GOT ALL THE VOTES.
ELECTED HEALTH OFFICER AND
ASKED TO REPORT AT ONCE.

The other Applicant for the Posi-
ton DR.. f. T. LincoIn-Dr. Bran-
ner's Return Promises to See the
Movement for a New City Hospital
Launched-It Is Claimed the Cost
for Care of City Patients Under
Present Advancement with HOspi-
tails Is Excessive.
II took the City Council less than five
minutes yesterday TO elecr DIR. w. F.
Brunner health officer Of Savannah. There
were only two applicants for the position,
Dr. Drummer and DR.. F. T. Lincoln. who
made a strong fight for the place, but had
the odds against him owing TO Councils
intention all along TO elect DR.. Drummer.
Aldermen FARRELL Wells, Haas ana VIII
llams were The absentees at the meeting
Mayor Myers asked that the names of ap-
pl!cants for health officer be read. The
election was a quick one. All the votes
were cast for Dr. Drummer. 1t may be said
the result is not a Disagreement of Dr.
Iincoln's ability, as he would doubtless
have run a good race had the applicants
ls,en on the same footing. Some of the alb
sent aldermen would probably have cast
their votes for Or. Lincoln, Fl their views
had not changed on the subject Some OF
them urged recently that home people had
claims upon the city for the position,
though a large majority of The board did
not regard The situation in this light.
Mayor Myers sent cablegram to DR..
Drummer Immediately after the meeting,
notifying him of his election, and asking
him TO report for duty at the earliest time
practicable. Just when he will be able to
arrange 20 leave Havana is not known. but
the Mayor thinks Dr. Drummer will be IN
Savannah within the next three weeks.
and will have everything in working order
in the health department month hence
Now that Dr. Drummer is 10 return, there
il considerable guessing as to what part
he will play in politics. Those acquainted
with him know he is not one of the work.
ers who mngle with the raobie, but he
knows how to change things with his own
influence as well as that of his personal
friends holding office under the present
admlnistra ti0u. That he viii be able TO
carry things his own way, and that his
commission Will give HIM al. The iautude
he desires in the conduct OF the health de
partment, does not seem TO b. doub ted
While great deal has not been said, Il
Is believed several e. memIgaS o 5d
the present hospital system, when
costs the city about 5000 a year
IL is known to have been DR.. Drummer $
hobby when last in charge of the health
department. that the city should nave its
own hospital for the care of its poor. II
he has not relinquished his intention Of
using his influence TO nave this idea eX-
ecuted il would seem there could be nc
more oppOrtune time for it, since the May
or and several aldermen are understood &c
be favorable 60 IL. il is admitted thal
Mayor Myers and Alderman Graham viii
pun with DR.. Drummer, if an effort Is made
in this direction.
The lines on which the movement viii
be launched for new hospital are not
known. but it is believed il viii be urged
that the large saving 10 the city VIII jus
tify IL. If the city has its own hospita
it is said IL viii then be under fewer OBJ
legations to the others, which have TeceIV-
ed many benefits in the way of remlttances
OF taxes and other claims. Not only the
city physicians. but those who wish TO see
a less exclusive policy pursued where they
expect the city to exercise more authority
will iend their influence TO the effort for 9
new hospital. 1t is believed the movement
foreshadOwed viii crystalline within few
weeks after DR.. Brunner's return, or as
soon as pans can be talked over.
In giving up his position as government
sanitary Inspector of Havana to accep
the local office a a salary of 81 500 year
il is understood DR.. Drummer is making
sacrifice. He asked some time before h
agreed to ACCEPT the position that thu
term of the office be lengthened, ana
while il is not understood that any definite
understanding was reached, it is believed
the next legislature will be asked to pass
an act creating the Office of health officer
and making his term not less than fou
years In the event an opposing bOarC
should get into power, DIR. Drummer woul'
then share the same protection severa
city officers now enjoy by having tn
states enactment thrown about them
Mayor Myers animated some time ag'
that such procedure was not improbable
though ne did not care to say anything
that could be construed as forestalling it
Plans Of some kind viii be formulated ii
the future, however, and all hands 1oinel
to carry them into effect.
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