The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-19
MELDRIM WILL KEEP OUT OF 1T.
He Does Not Intend to Reply to
Masonic Hall Speeches.


Mayor Meldrim said yesterday that he
did not intend to reply to the attack made
on the administration at the Masonic hall
meeting Tuesday night but would allow
the illusions made by the speakers 70 go
unnoticed. He has no time to devote 90
the campaign. he said, and does not iu-
tend to take any part in il unless com
PEELED to defend himself.
As soon as the meeting adjourned much
curiosity was felt as 10 what Mayor Mel
dfim would do, In view of the interviews
in which he stated he would defend him
self and his administration against any
unfair attacks by the opposition. The con-
clusion the Mayor has reached to let the
speeches 90 unnoticed is a disappointment
TO some politicians. Those anxious to see
him In the tolls of political harrangue
say his refusal 90 notice the speeches IS
an admission they are fair Whatever
efforts may be made to draw him into the
scrap, however, il seems very probable
Mayor Medrim will not go into it, I'M
less there is good reason for it, He says
ne is about TO shuttle off the coil of the
officeholder, and will then be safe from
the troubles of official duty. and safe from
the keen dagger of ingraHtude.
Inefe will be an innovation in the wind
ing up of Mayor Meldrim's term of office.
he Will depart from the trodden paths of
MS predecessors. and instead of filing his
annual report beforehand he viii reserve
it until the night his successor is inaugu-
rated, when he will pass it to the next
head of the city government. There will
be considerable formality attached to the
filing of the report Mayor Meldrim
thinks this the more dignfied way of max
faF, he will .nll ~
allude, incidentally, in his farewell ad-
dress.
With regard to the city's expenditures
the last two years" Mayor Meldrim said,
ITO which reference has been made, it
seems those attacking us have lost sight
Of the fact that while the city has Dor
rowed $4,000, il has at the same time paid
out over $4,000 which was not provided for
in the previous years budget. We have
been forced to meet many emergency eX-
penses, such as the destruction to public
property by storms, and which could not
be allowed to go without being promptly
put in proper repair There have been few
councils which have taken up improve
ments with the determination of the pres
ent, and the result has been the city has
profited by an earnest, energetic lot OF
aldermen to attend to its affairs"
Mr.. McDoI ough was seen yesterday, and
in referring 80 the work of the present
board, said there were some things he
did not exactly indorse, but this might be
the case with any board. There were
many things he commended the board for
however, and thought it had accomplish
ed things which entitled il to the distinc-
ton of being dutiful and attentive public
servants
There has been some talk as to what
denial would be made by the Liberal Clut
of the charges that have been made, and
will probably come out in speeches 90 come
hereafter Mr. McDonough stated it is
the partys purpose to see that all unjust
criticisms are denied. This will be done
in proper and legitimate way, he said
1t is likely the discussions will be livene6
up in the next day or two when it is
expected each side will have aldermaniC
tickets in the field.