The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-11
NO ELECTION CALLED
THOUGHT OFFICE
OF ORDINARY FIXED.
IT'S NOT NOW ExPEDIENT.
TO CALL AN ELECTION TO FILL
JUDGE FERRILL's TERM.

Commissioners Are Allowed n Rea-
sOnabIe Time i'm which to Order
the EIectiOn-HumOrist Suggests
That "the Boys" Have Plenty OF
Money Now and an Election Is I'm
necessary-AnOther Explanation OF
the stand the COmmissioners Have
Taken-RepOrt of Clerk of Board
shows County Finances in Fine
ConditiOn-PubIic Works Progress
ing Wei.
The first monthly meeting of the new
Board of County Commissioners was held
yesterday afternoon, all the members of
the board being present. Contrary to
general expectation, the board did not
order an election for Ordinary, to fill the
unexpired term of Judge Ferrill.
The caucus lasted some time, and
the matter of calling the cleo
tion was discussed in this secret meet
ing, but in the open meeting it was mere
ly determined that the election would not
be ordered at once Other than to say
that the board did not consider it expe-
dent to call the election at the present
time, Chairman Dale would not consent
TO outline the reasons that had impelled
the Commissioners to this course.
"Mr. Keilbach viii receive his commits
sion as Ordinary and qualify for the ad-
interim term tomorrow" said the
chairman, after the meeting, land
his conduct of the affairs of the office
will doubtless be satisfactory. We de-
cded it would not be wise to call the cleo
ton just now"
The law says when the Commissioners
are notified that death has produced a
vacancy in the Office of Ordinary, they
shall call an election to fill the unex-
pired term. The law provides that the
Commissioners shall give twenty days
notice of the date of the election, but 1t
does not, in terms, limit their right to
delay calling it as long as they please
Ordinarily, however, such general provis-
ions in the law. in matters of time, are
construed to mean the act shall be done
within a reasonable time.
II was laughingly suggested that the
reason the Commissioners did not call an
election just now was that there had been
one only recently and that the boys" had
plenty of money
There is really no reason for it, said
this humorist "A little later in the year
the boys Will be needing the money and
it is probable that plenty of it will be
turned loose. Then will be time enough
to cali the election"
Another and more plausible suggestion
Ia
the field two avowed candidates from the
Citizens Club and the entrance of another
in the arena is daily expected. The job
is a fat one and too good a thing for the
average politician to miss taking a shy
at, If there is any chance of his success,
and the addition of determined candidates
to the list of entries is not at ALI unlikely
at any moment.
Under such circumstances, it can be
understood, it would not be wise for the
Commissioners to call meeting just at
present. II would be likely to provoke a
good deal of dissension in the ranks of
the administration faction, whereas, in
case the election is postponed until some
indefinite time in the future, an oppor-
tunity will be allowed for these good gem
tlemen to settle their differences and de-
eide which of them shall make the race.
The meeting of the Commissioners was
devoted for the most part to the discus
sion of routine matters. Col. George Il.
Cam, the newIy-elected county attorney,
was present and aided the Commissioners
with his advice whenever ii was called
for by them.
Mr.. G. Reuben Butler, clerk of the
board, submitted statement of the obun-
ty finances. for the ten months ending
Dec. 30. 1900. The statement shows the
county to be in a most satisfactory finan-
cial condition, there being a large increase
in the surplus from the time the state
ment begins TO run. Under the new law,
regulating the terms of the County Com
missioners, the fiscal year ends on Dec
80. The statement submitted by Mr.. But
Ter and read az the meeting is as follows
Cash balance. March l. 1900 .$ SO, 40 80