The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-07-21
ALDERMAN MADE
UGLY CHARGES
SENSATION IN COUNCIL.
CAPT. DAVANT OBJECTED To PAS
SAGE OF BILL FOR PAYMENT.

IertEnE AluGEtnhh
with Irregularities That Were Mt
Once Refuted by Another Member
of BOard-Award to Dixon Com
pany Made by Committee on Com
petitive Bids, but Chairman Da-
want Would Not Approve Bill.
Mayor Had Another Member OF
Committee Sign 1t.
Stating that he, as chairman of the
Streets and Lanes Committee, had re-
fused to sign bill, which had subse-
quently been made a pass bill" of,
Alderman RI. Davant objected to
the approval of the schedule of ac-
counts at yesterday afternoons ses-
sion of Council and insinuated that the
committee of which he is chairman
had been guilty of improper acts.
In the discussion which followed, AL
derman Davant did not confine himself
to insinuations in regard to the Mayor,
but charged directly that he had pur-
chased coal for the city without hay
ing advertised for bids.
The charge against Mayor Myers
was at once refuted by Alderman Car
funkel and the objections to the sched-
ule of accounts were overridden unan-
imously by the board.
Nothing Like 1t Before.
The row was the most sensational
that the aldermen have ever had in
an open session. There was a restraint
throughout the meeting by reason of
the discussion which was precipitated
at the outset and aldermen spoke in
hoarse dry tones, their feelings were
so intense.
The weight of a feather either way
would probably have precipitated
personal difficulty, though Alderman
Davant was at various times answer
ing so many members of the board
that it would be hard to say who the
other party in the scrap would have
been The schedule of accounts was
read and about to be put on its pas
sage when Alderman Davant arose and
objected.
Il object to the passage of the ac-
counts" he said, "on the ground that
the chairman of the Streets and Lanes
Committee did not approve bill which
was afterwards signed by another
member of the committee under the
instructions of the Mayor, and made
a pass bill of.
Awarding the Contracts.
Bids were called for at the first of
the month as is customary for fur
nshing feed for the Streets and Lanes
Department. There were various bids,
some being higher on one thing and
others being lower The Dixon Lumber
Company was higher on hay and
cheaper on oats. l as chairman of the
committee thought the contract should
have been divided. Mr. Dixon who
was interested, objected, and l called
a meeting of the committee and the
committee awarded it to him"
Mayor Myers wanted to know imme-
diately if it was not the committees
business to make awards and not the
chairman s.
Alderman Davant said he called the
committee at Alderman Dixon's re-
quest.
With bald statement of the case. he
wished to leave the matter with the
board, Alderman Davant said.
GraysOn Got Into Game.
Alderman Grayson wanted to know
from Alderman Davant if it had not
been the desire and custom of COM
mittee to have all the goods delivered
from one location, and to favor giving
an entire order to one firm instead of
splitting II.
Alderman Davant replied that he
had been receiving the combinations
prices heretofore and that he did not
know. Now that the combination had
gone to pieces, the prices varied. He
did not see, he said, that it made
much difference where the stuff came
from. The hay to be purchased
amounted to about two carloads, he
stated.
A1ar,.,,,o,, c.r,,,-r,,, a,ex,,arad thot he
thought it was understood that where
bids were called for the award was to
be made as a whole. He knew moth
ing about this particular case. as he
had entered no bid, and had not been
present.
No Notices Sent Out.
The Mayor wanted TO know how the
bids were opened, and Alderman Da-
want said he made the first award.
Didn't you call your committee to-
gether," said the Mayor.
II did not" answered Alderman Da-
want. "The bids had been advertised
for and they knew they were to be
opened"
THAT was not the custom when l
was in Council" answered the Mayor.
For twenty years past it has not been
the CUSTOM"
Il wish to say didn't get any notice
of any meeting" said Alderman Nc
Kenna, rising and addressing the
Mayor.
Alderman Garfunkel stated the Fire
Committee always had the committee
to open bids.
Violated Rules of Council.
Il try to be fair in these things"
said Alderman Davant. 1T was not
the practice when l went on the COM
mittee to call it together to open bids.
Every one knew the bids were to be
opened and had always attended.
Il have never before called a meet
ing and never before has "A quorum
failed to be present. This was the first
time they ever failed.
MY objection is that the bill was
made a pass bill of over my objection,
and that another member of the COM
mittee signed 1t at the Mayors re-
quest. II was in violation of the rules
of Council, and the state law"
Had Refused TO Sign Bill.
THE director of public works. Mr.
stated the Mayor, and said Mr.. Da-
would not sign any bill for the Dixon
Lumber Company.
Il asked MIR. Gadsden If we owed the
bill and he said yes. / then asked Mr..
Garfunkel to sign the bill and he did.
81 was and am still under the inn
preston that IL is the duty of a COM
mittae and not the chairman to make
awards.
"The pass bill does not bind Council.
II can be approved or not. / am re-
-