Hattiesburg daily news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1907-1908, 1908-03-05

VI the utAU duuiuiStTdtlOu.
The chairman spoke of Mr.. Las
siter's communication, recently pub
lished in the Daily News, and thought
the purpose of the meeting was to car
ry out the suggestions made therein.
Mr.. Lassiter said the article ex.
pressed only his own views and he
thought the purpose of the meeting
vas to bring out candidates for alder
men.
The chairman said that the present
council seemed to have the right to
raise salaries.
eyes, and to draw them" said some
one.
The next speaker said that the peo-
pie had a right to petition the council
IN any matter.
Mr.. Dunn stated that he thought the
business of the council could be tran
sacted at an average of two meetings
per month and at cost of $50.
Chairman Conner asked Mr.. A. ID.
Draugh to take the chair, whereupon
Mr.. Conner proceeded to make the
liveliest speech of the meeting. Among
other things he said, in substance, that
he liked all the city officials; that they
were his personal friends. He never
expected to offer for Office again, but
he had an overlooking love for the city
of Hattiesburg. He thought that the
city would soon become bankrupt un-
less things changed, that 1t would
amount to confiscation of property.
Taxes had been raised so per cent. and
in some cases to 100 per cent Money
should be expended judiciously. There
should be value received for every
dollar expended Named the different
Officers wherein he thought that the
salary was too much. Said that the
board met ten nights in a month and
the members drew SIS and stayed an
hour. Thought that two meetings a
month was sufficient. Was not criti-
Ching men. Did not believe that the
members of the council would do any
thing wrong, wilfully and mancously.
Spoke of the amount paid officers and
OF the bonded Indebtedness. Asked
what did the mayor do. Presided over
the council-if any other personal SER
vice, he had never heard of it. Wanted
every man to have his just does. Some
Of the officers got So to SIS for an
hours work, while the laboring man
got So day. Didn't intend to re-
fleet on the officers; considered
every man honest and every woman
until the contrary was proven.
Some of the officers were drawing
more than they were earning and
somebody must pay the fiddler. II the
present rate Of expenditures is con.
:inued, the city will be out of money
by June 1 and will have to borrow
money to pay salaries. Would con-
Tenn his father or brother IL hel
thought they were wrong. Should
lave economical expenditures of the
money wrung from the hard worked
ax-payer.
Mr.. A. Polk thought that the matter
Il adopting the amendment in refer
nee to the salaries of the firemen and
'oiicemen should be let alone.
Mr.. A. T, Powe was the only men,
'er of the present council who was
resent and he came in late. He de-
lied that the council met ten times a
month; said they might have met this
ften when they were equalizing the
axes; that they usually drew SIS, $25
II $35 for months time. Said he
lad stood for economy and opposed
he increase of salaries. Mr.. Powe
aid that the council would not cut
he calaries of laboring men.
The amendment, opposing specifical-
y, reduction in the salaries of the
'olice and firemen was FED on and
allied to pass.
The original resolution offered by
ar. Lassiter were then adopted.
The question of nominating candi-
ates for aldermen was then taken up.
No nominations were actually made
ut the following gentlemen were re-
uested to become candidates: Messrs
4. Dunn, A. D. Draughn, ]. s. Dee.
!. F. Lassiter.
All of these gentlemen stated that
hey did not want the positions and
ir. Draughn said he could not pos
IDLY serve If elected Mr.. Dunn said