The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-09
MYERS AND THE MAYORALTY.
UNDECIDED WHETHER HE WILL
BE A CANDIDATE OR NOT.

10 How They Might VOte-The
Platform He VIII Run Upon If He
Runs at AII-Opinions That Look
Like Criticisms of the Present Adj
ministratfOn's Course.
Mr. Herman Myers returned from New
York last night. He spent the evening
with friends and missed several political
callers, who seemed anxious to get at him
as soon as he had reached the city.
1t is still an open question whether Mr..
Myers viii be in the race against Mr.
McDonough for the Mayoralty, but the
impression exists that he is averse to be-
ing a candidate unless there are signs of
a decided awakening of interest in the
approaching election among property
owners, business men and the conserva-
tive public generally.
The question as to whether 1 will be
a candidate for the mayoralty," said Mr..
Myers, would be best answered after
have been asked to be a candidate by any
representative gathering of citizens. 1
certainly would not be the candidate of a
meeting of Office holders and Office seekers
with their especial friends. l should not
consider that as much of an indication of
public sentiment, or as an evidence of
any awakening of the better elements of
citizens from the apathy which seems to
have fallen upon many of them recently
in local political matters Like hundreds
of my fellow citizens, am
greatly interested in everything
appertaining to the future welfare
Of Savannah. Owing to that interest
which I have, must confess that feel
disappointed at the absence of interest so
many display in the affairs of the govern
ment Of the city. The very men in Sa-
vannah who should be interested and ac-
lively so, in its political affairs seem more
and more inclined to allow a half dozen
office holders with few politicians with
an eye to the main chance, TO take charge
of all matters pertaining TO the nomina-
ton of candidates and the management
generally of city political affairs. l am
not speaking from a personal standpoint,
from any position as one who may or may
not be a candidate, but from the basis of
citizen who has business interests here,
who would like to see Savannah thrive
and prosper. Regardless as to who Is the
next Mayor and the next board of alder
men, it is of vital interest that our people
should awake TO the Importance of assert
ing themselves in political matters and of
taking away the nominating and controll-
ing power from the few politicians and Of
fee holders into whose hands it is rapidly
falling.
The future development of Savannah,
will, in all probability, depend on the
course that is pursued here during the
next year or two Taxation must be re-
duced The earning power of money is de-
Ginning No better evidence of this has
been afforded our people than the recent
action of all the savings institutions in re-
ducing the rate of interest to per cent.
per annum. With the earning capacity of
money falling, taxes must fall or money
win not be induced here for Investment.
1t was my nope when Mayor that by start
ing this movement toward lower taxes
each year hereafter would bring a small
reduction The board that I had the hon
or to serve with reduced the rate to las.
If had been reelected it was my inten-
ton 10 devote myself, as il was the inten-
ton of those associated with me, to fur
Their reductions each year. This was not
done for political effect. 1t was merely
recognition of the fact that conditions re-
quire that taxes should be lowered in Sa-
vannah until the rate is al least as low as
1.25 I am sati1ed that this is the opinion
of the bulk of the property owners and of
the business men and the public generally
who have given the subject any thought
ful consideration. Yet judging from the
present apathy, one might think that it
made absolutely no difference to any one
whether the tax rate is increased or low
cred. whether the city 10 run in debt or
kept safely within its income, with
a comfortable margin TO its credit. There
is no use in concealing these things from
| ourselves Our people, while they are so
much interested in the outcome, are show
ing almost no interest in the selection of
the men who are to manage the city for
the next two years, and who are to de-
| eide. by their administration of its af-
fairs, whether the tax rate and the debt
| are increased or lessened. / say it, and
I say it unhesitatingly, il is discouraging
No matter how they vote our citizens
shou{,1 show themselves, take hold and see
to it that they, and not those who have
| axes to grind, and places to get or hold, do
l. the selecting as wen as the efecting of the
| Council.
whatever interest has been taken In the
| coming election so far has been mainly by
those who want to hold their present
| offices. those who want places, and their
! personal friends who are helping them. No
one can deny that
IF l were 10 be candidate for Mayor
I should make it the first principle of my
platform that the citys expenditures
! should, under no circumstances, go over
The city's revenues. A city is a business
! corporation. If a private company went
/ ahead running its expenses over its in
! come. the inevitable end would be bank
I ruptcy. So it is with a city. If the pri-
! vate citizen could not meet his obiiga-
| lions promptly it would be useless for him
! to say that he had a big stock of goods
! on hand. or that ne had made improve
! nents to his factory. Borrowing money is
poor business for a city government to
| be engaged in to meet its current eX-
uenses. These obligations are drafts on
! it's future income which must be met, and
| 10 that extent deprive an incoming admin
| istraHon of the use of that portion of the
| revenues Borrowing money is a system
| of enforcing economy on ones successors
| / made il a point during the two years
! that / was Mayor to carefully study the
| citys finances at all times, keeping posted
! as to the expenditures, past and probable
| BY this system, and with the determine
! ton that while improvements should pro-
/ I