The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-20
CAUCUS NOT LIKELY
MANY POLITICIANS STRONGLY OP-
POSE THE PLAN.
FIGHT FOR POLICE CHIEF.
CITY COUNCIL SHOULD DECIDE
QUESTION UNHAMPERED, THEY
SAY.

Names for the Proposed Caucus
Were Selected Yesterdny-Several
Aldermen Were on Lfst-NauEht-
inns Friends Want Their Candidate
to Go Straight to the Aldermen.
Fire Superintendent Mcguire
Would Like to BE at Head of Po-
lice Department-Fight for Screw
ems job Getting More Complicated.
GarfunkIe McDermott Hussey
Deal Dented-Owen Reilly VIII BE
Temporary Chief.
There has been no apparent change in
the campaign for superintendent of po-
lice and the situation seems to become
more complicated daily. All of the can
didates are at work and the list is being
added to all the time. The latest recruit
is John E. Mcguire. superintendent of the
fire department. The fire chief stated
yesterday that he is a candidate and
would like very much to take charge of
the police department This announce
ment will cause some surprise, but the
superintendent stated that he is in earn
est about his candidacy.
The plan to hold a caucus of the party
leaders and settle on a candidate to go
before Council may fall through. There
are many who are opposed to the scheme
and have so announced themselves. The
caucus was to have been held last night
but during the day it was stated it would
not take place until later in the week
Considerable opposition to this plan ma
terialized, and a politician on the inside
in administration circles. said that he did
not think caucus would be held and the
candidates would probably go before the
Board of Aldermen direct. A hist of So
names were made out yesterday and it
was proposed to have the individuals on
that list decide who the party candidate
should be. Among the number were at
least six aldermen, and the plan was to
abide by the majority.
Some of those who saw the list of
names did not like the manner in which
they had been arranged and the friends
of Magistrate Michael Naughtin an
nounced themselves opposed to the hold
ing of a caucus. One of the supporters
Of Justice Naughtin said that he had ad-
vised him not to go into a caucus, if one
Is held. Others expressed themselves in
"a SliItldT way, anu TINS Will PROBABLY
shut off the move and force the candi-
dates before Council on their merits. This
is what the supporters OF Justice
Naughtin want. Mr.. J. Robert Dreamer
is one of those opposed to the caucus.
An inside politician said yesterday he
could not understand how a body of men,
not in any way connected with the mu-
nicipality, could get together and say
who a board of aldermen should elect for
any office. 1t was past his comprehen-
sion and he did not believe any twelve
wen would be dictated to in such a man.
ner. He could readily understand how
fractional board would elect a factional
candidate, but where there are a number
of candidates in the field the aldermen
should at least be permitted to say who
is qualified to fill the office. The caucus
would probably have been held had there
ben no opposition, but with the change
of feeling it is extremely doubtful if any
thing will be done on this line
The rumored deal between Garfunkle
McDermott and Hussey was stoutly de-
MED by these candidates yesterday They
said that there was no foundation for the
report. In the face of these denials there
are some who believe that combination
was being made, and an administration
man said last night that the deal had been
talked over seriously. Mr.. Hussey said
that he had made no combination with
anyone. He is in the fight by himself
The other candidates expressed themselves
in a similar manner.
II is the general impression that Elk
Chief OF Police Frank McDermott has beer
promised the office of chief of detectives II
he is not placed at the head of the de-
partment. This story is generally accept.
ed on the streets.
The supporters of Sergt. Walter Elem
ing are particularly active. They con.
tend that their candidate has been a mem.
Der of the department for number Of
| years, and that he has worked himself VI
from the ranks This argument is being
used on all sides.
The friends of Justice Naughtin are still
confident and say that their candidate
will be elected His familiarity witt
criminal matters and his executive abil
! ity, they say, are qualifications that can.
not be overlooked by the aldermen
Superintendent Screven will probably
resign to-day and his resignation will be
4 accepted by Council tonight Actins
Mayor Dixon will appoint Senior Ser
geant Owen Reilly acting superintendent
until an election is ordered. This will
probably take place on April 8. and II
the meantime the activity of the politi-
clans will continue
Mn MEM EHICI hTI0M