The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-10
M'DoNoUGH SAYS HE'LL RUN.
HIS FORMAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE
MAYORALTY NOMINATION.


and the Suppression of Crime and
the Control OF the Police Force by
the Mayor Features of His
PIatform-EIis Policy SqUaFely Out
lined 10 the Notification Commit
tee-The Selection of an Alder
manic Ticket viii Begin at Once.
After conference at his residence last
night with the Liberal club committee op-
pointed 20 notify him of his nomination,
Hon. J. ]. McDonough announced his ac-
ceptance. In his reply TO the committee.
Mr.. McDonough clearly stated his plat
form, which embodies many of the policies
contained in that upon which he formerly
ran for the mayoralty, and was elected.
Mr.. McDonouehs formal acceptance Of
the nomination partially shapes the coming
fight so far as the Liberal club is con-
cerned. While the announcement fixes his
course and defines the issues the club
will make It's tight upon it does not come
In the nature of d surprise. but is in &C
cordauCe with what his supporters have
looked for an along, He advocates a strict
and impartial enforcement of the law, be-
lieves that reTenchment in public expen-
ditures the proper and only way to hnan-
cier the city through the ensuing twd
years, and that, a. the Mayor is RESPONSE
BILE in a measure for the non-enforcement
OF the city laws, he should have fun
charge and control of the police depart
ment
The reply containing the principles Mr.
McDonough proposes TO put into effect, if
elected 10 the mayoralty, is as follows:
Savannah, Ga, Jan. 9. 1899. -A1essrs.
Usina, Mcmillan, Duncan, Committee
Gentlemen: Your communication of this
date asking me, in behalf of meeting
which convened at the Masonic Temple on
the evening of the 5th inst. TO become a
candidate for the office of Mayor of Sa-
Vannah, is before me.
! beg TO thank you for the kind terms In
which you convey this action, and to say
that | accept the nomination.
Believing that the people Of Savannah
have the right to know what will be my
policy as Mayor should they see fit to
ratify this nomination at the polls, l will
briefly indicate this policy
The oath of office covers in the general
terms the obligation of a Mayor and that
oath demands that he faithfully execute
the duties Of Mayor according to the laws
OF the state and the ordinances Of the city
TO the best of his ability, and understand
ing this, necessarily, involves the subordi-
nation of all considerations, personal. po-
litical and fractional to that of the public
good, which must always be controlling.
The citizens of Savannah have
been sorely afflicted by partisan
politics, and the time is op-
perfume for all good citizens regard
less of past political differences to come to
gether and unite in earnest effort 10 ad-
vance the city's material welfare.
/ realize that cur people are
very heavily taxed and that all
unnecessary taxation is unjust taxa
ton. think that with proper
economy and retrenchment that the tax
rate can be reduced, and the duty of max
ing this reduction Jas soon as il can be
made, ought to be regarded by The Mayor
and aldermen as pressing and urgent.
shall do what l can If I am made Mayor
to bring about this reduction, as soon as 1t
is practicable. and to encourage all lawful
means to this end. The city, like an in
divdual ought 10 live within it's means.
] am opposed to the increasing of the mu-
nicipal Indebtedness, and would be, even
If the law permitted It, II shall be my
policy, If Mayor, to do what l can to keep
expenditures safely within the city's in
come. Debt must be avoided even If il
be necessary to postpone what may seem
TO be desirable investments.
favor the rigid eXaction OF
the officers and employees of the
city, and the adjustment OF all sinecures,
if any there are. In this respect strict
business principles ought to be applied e
the government of the city.
II l am again honored with the
Office of Mayor l shall enforce
the laws as l find them with
out fear or favor. l can not shut my
eyes TO the fact that certain forms of law
xz-f,i
now very prevalent, and 1 believe that
they can be very largely suppressed by
the strict and constant use of the pena
ordinances and laws.
One reason why favored Tho
abolition of the police commission
was. because I have always thought
that the Mayor of the city, as its
executive officer, ought to be the head o.
the police force so that he can be hex
responsible by the community for the non
enforcement of the municipal laws Wher
they are not enforced, as such head ant
with the right to preside at the Polio,
Court, l know that the Mayor can exer
a potent influence in the upholding of tn,
Sunday laws and the suppression of sam
ing houses and other evils My record oil
these lines is known, and | hove not un
dergone any change of opinion or purpose
If l am made Mayor l shall use all tn
powers of the Office to put down crime an,
iawlessness and 10 advance, not only tn
material, but the moral interest of tn
community. in so far as those interest
are expressed and sustained by our laws
! am, very truly yours,
John J. McDonough
In discussing his platform Mr. MELON
ough laid stress upon the clause referrin
TO the eradication of fractional strife In mu
nicipal politics. and which has been Ia
means of creating dissenslons among tn
people calculated TO impede, rather tha
advance the interests of the city. II
noted the discord brought about by tn
fractional fights through which the city re
Gently passed. and expressed the intentio
of doing all in his power TO prevent a rept
titon and to conduct the city's affairs o
a plane broad enough for all citizens. II
expressed a desire to bring all classes {
citizens together for the oetterment of III
whole. and stated it to be his desire
wipe out the lines that had previously e,
listed among the people on issues that Ia
long since been put aside.
Now that the nomination has been al
cepted the other matters pertaining to Il
election will receive PROMPT attention