The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-15
OFFICIAL.
CITY GOVERNMENT.


Official Proceedings of Council.
Savannah, Ga, Jan. 70, 19O0.-Council
met this evening at $50 o'clock,
pursuant to a recess. Present, the Hon.
Herman Myers, Mayor, presiding, and
Aldermen Doyle, Dixon, Wells, Thomas,
Mills, Bacon, farrell, Graham and
Schwarz.
His honor the Mayor, stated that the
object of the meeting was to investigate
the charges preferred against Mr.. j. V.
Kennickell, superintendent of the Laurel
Grove Cemetery for neglect of official
duty. and discourtesy to his honor, the
Mayor.
The charges being tried separately, that
of neglect of official duties was taken up
first The charge being as follows
Savannah, Ga, Jan. 8, 1900.-Dear Sir: l
respectfully request permission to prefer
the following charges against j. V. Ken
nickel, keeper of the Laurel Grove Cen1e-
terry, for neglect of official duties.
Mr. Kennickell was notified on Dec. 81,
1899 by Mr.. j. II. Henderson and by Mr..
Hall, that the funeral of my mother, Mrs.
JOS Wallace, formerly Barbee, would
take place at 8 o'clock on the following
day, Ian. /, 1860. He was instructed to
have the grave prepared. He was inform
ed where the grave was to be dug. he
had ample time to prepare it. On the
morning of Jan. l. 1900. sometime before
fed and instructed by me.
Mr. Kennickel failed and refused to pre-
pare the grave, thereby OBTAINING the fun
eral for one half hour at the gates of the
cemetery, and necessitating holding the
funeral services at the city vault, and the
burial of my mother at a later hour of the
day.
l charge that Mr. Kennlckell deliberately
and Intentionally failed and refused to
perform the duties required of him as
above set out l respectfully request that
such investigation as is proper and usual
may be had. Yours very respectfully,
c. W. Barbee.
Hon. Herman Myers, Mayor City,
1t being the opinion of the city attorney
that Mr. Kennickel had acted strictly in
accordance with the requirements of the
ordinance, the charge could not be sus-
tanned and the charge upon this offense
was accordingly dismissed.
The charge of discourtesy to his honor,
the Mayor was next taken up.
His honor, the Mayor, being disqualified
on account of being a witness. upon mo-
ton, which was adopted. Alderman Thorn
as was elected chairman pro TEN.
The charge being as follows Violation
of duty and misconduct in office, in this,
to-wit:
The said ]. " Kennickeu keeper Of
Laurel Grove Cemetery was summoned
before the Mayor of the city of Savannah
on Jan. 10, 1900, in the Mayor Office for
the purpose of an examination into the
charges of neglect Of duty preferred by
c. w Barbee and when it was proposed
by the said Mayor 10 continue the hearing
Of the charges before him as said Mayor
the said Kennckell then and there refused
TO appear at said hearing and announced
to the Mayor that he would not appear at
said hearing, although thereto requested
and directed by the Mayor, thus showing
contempt for the Mayors authority and
official position. and neglect Of duty as
an officer of the city, and misconduct In
Office.
His honor the Mayor made a statement
Of the circumstances in connection with
the charge, showing the dscourtesy which
led up TO the preferring of the charge.
Evidence was also given by Mr. Thomas
Gamble, corroborating the statement made
BY the Mayor Defendant filed an answer,
IN. which he denies that he has neglected
his duty as keeper of the Laurel Grove
Cemetery and also denies that he has al
anv time been Intentionally or otherwise
discourteous 10 the Mayor of Savannah.
He also denies that he has refused 10 an
swer any questions put TO him by the
Honorable Herman Myers, Mayor Of Sa-
vannah. relating to the charges upon
which he was called TO be investigated on
Ian. TO- 1900, in the case Of Mr. Barbec
and prays that the honorable Councll VIII
vindicate him.
The defendant Mr.. Kennickell, made his
statement, after which argument was
heard from MIR. Beckett, counsel for Mr..
Kennickell. and Mr.. Adams, representing
the city. At the conclusion of which
motion was made by Alderman Dixon that
the defendant be declared guilty or not