The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-06
WOODWARD ASKED TO RESIGN.
E,uURE TO KEEP HIS PLEDGE LED
TO THIS ACTION.

Atianta's Mayor Way heIuse TO 10
So. and 1t Is said His Defense VIII
Involve the Consolidated ia the
Effort to Accomplish His Ruin-His
Interview with Director Sanders.
warm Discussion in Council Over
the Adverse Resolution.
Atlanta. Aug 5.-At a special meeting of
-, City Council this afternoon, Mayor
lanes G. Woodward was formally re-
otested to resign on account of drunken
ncss.
The resolution bearing this sensational
demand was not passed however, before
srli more sensational matter was develop
81 and before the incident is closed, it is
likely 10 rend the town asunder in more
ways tlIn one.
The Mayor will not resign at the request
of Council. and his defense will, it is as
serted this afternoon, bring out facts that
would do credit to the mind of the man
VINO writes prize stories of detective and
police adventures.
As might be suspected, the big fight for
street railway franchises has been brought
into The situation. If the reports circu-
latea upon the streets to-day and publicly
voiced on the floor of the Council chamber
by Councilman Parks, have any founda-
tion. This grdpple of corporations over the
almighty dollar is the stage setting of the
disgracefu male of Mayor Woodward's
official career.
The llayol $ refusal to vacate his Office
at the demand of Council is understood to
lie due to the fact that the lid is to be
lifted from the pot, and the whole plot eX-
posed 10 public view.
Pledge That Was Not Kept.
1t will be remembered that Mayor Wood
ward some weeks ago, when arraigned by
Rev Dr Hroushlon, for the excessive use
Of intoxicating liquors, entered a plea of
guilty. and piedged himself that he would
remain soDer man during the balance Of
his term.
Mayor Woodward had been a teetotaier
for twenty years and more before he en-
tered upon the discharge of his duties as
Mayor. and in his acknowledgment OF
wroug-dniag he declared that he could
again abstain entirely from liquor. If he
could not. he further gave mis- word thar
he would resign from office.
Since giving this pledge, Mayor Wood |
ward trod the straight and narrow path
up 10 last Tuesday. Upon that day ne
appeared before the State Railroad Com
mission, and it was noticeable that he had
been drinking. In making his talk TO the
commlss oners he switched off the subject
of the union depot, which was the matter
In hand. and attacked the Consolidated
Street Railway Company The Consoii- |
dated seemed to be weighing upon his
mind for some reason or other.
Then Tuesday night came the Mayors |
trip to Lakewood, where he made a spec
taele of himself. though "Wednesday morn
ing he showed up at his office and appear
ed to be perfectly sober.
Wednesday he went to Macon, and 1t is
reported made another show of himself
there. Since his return to Atlanta yes
terday he has been confined to his home,
refusing to see all callers, except his mos
intimate friends.
Fl would not discuss the action of the
City Council at all with those newspaper
reporters who saw him this afternoon. 1t
Is pretty definitely ascertained, however
~ that he intends to stand out against the
d demands of Council and his lawyer, Col |
a W. T. Meyers, after a long conference
with him this afternoon, is preparing his
defense
Wanted His Resignation.
When the Council met this afternoon
the public was excluded, though the news
u paper reporters were permitted to remain
u upon pledge that they would print moth
hs Objectionable to the members of the
OouHclL who announced that they intend
"a TO unburden their minds freely in dis
cusSins the situation, and they did.
councilman Maddox, who made the
81 speech demanding the Mayors resignation
When he was arraigned by pr Broughton
started the music by Offering a resolu-
ueh reci ing the rumors of the Mayors |
laA from grace, and calling upon him to
SuomIt his resignation by next Monday
morning
Sd councilman LaHatte presented sub
Sttute leaving off the demand for the |
Ha' or resignation, and calling upon him |
All answer to charges, or reports that have
ogeh going the rounds for several days
Il councilman Thompson, another of the |
CouielImen who have been after the May
III soap all the time, declared that it |
~"'-d be merciful to Mayor Woodward 3 !
amy 10 pass the resolution demanding |
ms resignation, as a trial would develop |
s0'He exceedingly unsavory things in con- |
-1e'9u with his conduct-things which |
we're best should net be dragged before |
the public
MS brought Councilman Parks, a friend |
VI me Mayors, to his feet. Mr.. Parks !
4 9NH.s straight at members of the Coun-
i y" "Io are supposed to have more than |
1 4-u0.N int crest in the welfare of Joel |
L lNt and his Consolidated Street Rail |
4 va! system, said that that was just what !
"ahled-that all the dirty acts should |
Il ro, 'SHl peIOre the pubic ana let the |
4 s'll hurt whom it might He said that |
e town was full of rumors coupling |
o. oiheials Of the Consolidated Street |
t ,'"ay Company with the Mayors down |
a. a. lie mad been led astray by di- |
n eo1of IN This company Councilman Parks |
H. yea, and he wanted to see the iii |
n-.el OIL and the schemes of men who |
4 exposed
Interview With Sanders.
AR Parks did not designate the director
| 5iIe consolidated whom he accused of |
va1lng he Mayor astrav. by name. but
| -. sanders is The man referred to- The |
fo' OF Mr.. Sanders alleged responsibility |
4 mayor Woodwurd's faI from grace, is |
"lh Troptry IN town TO day, and since |
=. ecuon Of Council, he details have been |
"e.F discussed everywher
0'eo dirg 10 this story. AIR Sanders had