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WILL NOT RESIGN
MEMBERS of committee will
take no extreme measures.
WILL REMAIN IN COUNCIL
THOSE BACK FROM ATLANTA DO
NOT SEEM MUCH CUT UP.
Alderman Thomas and Alderman
Schroder Returned Yesterday
Morning—Alderman Frank Re
mained Over—Alderman Thomas
Talks of the Arguments That
Were Made Before the Sehate
Committee—Longest-Termed Offi
cers Have Been the Most Satis
factory—Senator Cann Given
Credit for Passage of the Bill, Not
the Telegram of the Council Ma
jority-Alderman Schroder's Con
science Would Hurt Him.
Alderman Thomas and Alderman
Schroder returned yesterday morning
from Atlanta, whither they went as
members of the special committee that
sought to induce the Senate to quash
the bill providing for the election of
the city officers of Savannah by the
incoming, instead of the outgoing,
Council. Alderman Frank, the third
member of the committee, did not re
turn, remaining over for a day or two
ir. Atlanta.
Solicitor General Osborne went up
with the committee to Atlanta, and he
did not allow the aldermen to dwell in
ignorance of the telegram, reversing
the attitude of Council toward the bill,
having been s-nt to Senator Cann by
seven members of the board. He told
them that they i“d not, as they had
thought, represent a majority, but a
minority, of Council.
This was a great surprise to the com
mittee, as might have been expected.
It did not induce the aldermen to give
up hope or their purpose of seeking
the defeat of the bill, however, and
one or two Of them even questioned
the effect of the telegram, saying that
they thought it not improbable that
the bill would have passed, even if
Senator Cann had not received the tel
egram. *
The bill had been reported favorably
to the Senate by the Committee on
Corporations. Senator Cann was fair
enough to secure the recammital of the
bill to the committee. In order that
the Savannah delegation might be
heard against It. Present at the hear
ing, besides the aldermen, were Sena
tor Cann and Representatives Hitch,
Harden and Wells, all of whom were
heard. Alderman Thomas, as chair
man of the committee, was the prin
cipal speaker for the opposition to the
bill, but Aldermien Frank and Schrode,
were also heard. Senator Cann and
the representatives spoke in its favor.
Both Alderman Thomas and Aider
man Schroder, when seen yesterday,
said that they considered that the
committee would have won its point
before the Committee on Corporations
had Senator Cann not spoken for the
bill. This being the case, Senator
Cann may be regarded as the power
that passed the bill, which was again
reported favorably.
Senator Herndon, chairman of the
committee, told Alderman Thomas af
ter the conference that he and mem
bers of the committee had been im
pressed by the arguments that had
been adduced to show that the out
going board should elect, as at present,
but that the array of the senator and
three representatives on the other side
was too potent, and that the courtesy
prevailing in the Legislature would
force a favorable report. The alder
manic committee, therefore, had the
satisfaction of knowing that it had im
pressed members of the Senate com
mittee.
Alderman Thomas was not disposed
to criticise the action of those metn
bers of the board who had signed the
telegram, repudiating the format ac
tion of Council. He said that he would
leave the public to judge the case from
what had been printed of it. In view
of the expressions that had fallen from
a good many persons to the effect that,
had such a trick or joke as the ma
jority telegram been perpetrated upon
them, they being aldermen and upon
such a committee, they would have
resigned forthwith, Alderman Thomas
was asked if any member of the com
mittee had felt so aggrieved as to in
duce him to contemplate such action.
He replied that he could speak only
for himself, but that he had never
thought of taking such a course.
“We told the Senate Committee,”
said Alderman Thomas, "that our com
mittee was from a board that was
elected without opposition, and that
we thought, therefore, that we could
voice the wishes of a majority of the
people in this matter of the election of
city officers. I let the committee un
derstand the situation in Savannah as
1 knew it, reviewing it from 1883, when
I became a member of the board. By
a state law, the city offioers were elect
ed then every three years. As the
terms of office of the Mayor and al
dermen were but two years, some of
the boards would never have a chance
to elect. The result was that the terms
of office of city officers was changed
to two years, the action being unani
mous. The next thing was to decide
as to whether the incoming or the out
going board should elect the officers.
On the board were Col. R. E. Lester,
then Mayor, and strong and represen
tative citizens. Only one was a hold
over. This was Alderman Hamilton.
All the rest were fresh from the people.
After no little consideration of the
question, this board decided that, after
a board has had two years of service,
and association in a business way with
city officers, it is better qualified to
elect than is a perfectly new board,
ignoyant of the duties and responsibil
ities of the offices and the ability and
fitness of the incumbents.
“When the board was inducted into
office we found a sad condition of af
fairs. The former treasurer was
largely in default, and neither taxes
nor water rents had been collected
as they should have been. Due bills,
too, were in the office. This was made
clear to the Senate Committee, and
the contrast of the city treasurer's of
fice as it has been conducted by the
present treasurer was drawn. Maj.
Hardee has greatly increased the city’s
revenue and has raised its credit. Not
only has the expense of the conduct
of the city administration been met,
but funds have been found for the ma
terial improvement of the city in the
way at pavements, the new water
works and the house drainage system.
The city treasurer, therefore, offers
an example of an officer who should
not be removed simply through polit
ical reasons.
“Chairman J. Hi H. Osborne of the
Board of Tax Assessors has
rendered the city most valu
able service during his incum
bency. He has added to the real
and personal property valuations, and
the revenues of the city have been
swollen without a disturbance of the
basis of taxation. Mr. Osborne is thor
oughly familiar with the work of the
office and the results he ha* effected
have been most satisfactory.
“Col. J. W. Winn’* long experience
as city engineer ha* made him thor
oughly familiar with the dutie* of the
Position and ha* rendered him better
qualified than many anothar might
be to protect the city’s interests. He
has learned all the landmarks, and
his knowledge and experience are val
uable to the city In various ways, not
ably in the investigations required in
the purchase of property to open
streets.
“Laurel Grove Cemetery afforded an
example of what worth and long ex
perience in a city position meant, and
it was employed before the commit
tee. One Laurel Grove keeper served
for thirty-five years, and, upon his
death, the office went to another, who
served efficiently until his death nine
years ago, since when there have been
no less than si* keepers of the cem
etery. Those who held long tenure in
the position grew so familiar with
their work that they were able to
tell Just where every family’s lot was
located, and just where a family might
desire a grave to be placed. They
could recall the place of interment of
strangers or others in years long past,
whose remains it might be desired to
remove. They had won the confidence
and esteem of the ladies who visited
the cemetery, and, altogether, were in
cumbents whose services were far
more satisfactory than could be those
of political appointees.
"I also Instanced the case of the su
perintendent of police, who has served
the city for twenty-seven years cap
ably and efficiently. These cases were
cited to show the services of those who
have held city positions for a long
while, their capac'ty and the evil re
sults that might follow frequent
changes for no other than political
purposes, and the conferring of the
places upon those whose political ser
vices alone were regarded as entitling
them to receive them.
“We told the committee that the
people did not like the frequent changes
that were being made by the Legisla
ture in the municipal laws, and that
the best results could not be secured if
there was among taxpayers and office
holders the anxiety incident to such
changes.”
Alderman Schroder was not so reti
cent as Alderman Thomas in giving ex
pression to an opinion upon the tele
gram that urged Senator Cann to
stick by the crowd.” “Well,” said
Alderman Schroder, “I should not like
to be either of the two aldermen who
shifted their position upon the question.
I shouldn't feel perfectly at ease If
I had done such a thing. The action
of those two members were explained
before the Senate Committee, and I
really do not believe that the tele
gram carried very much weight. The
Senate Committee was not disposed to
attach any too much value to the sig
natures of those two members of Coun
cil. No, I have no idea of resigning. I
had a very good time in Atlanta, and
do not feel any the worse for the trip."
DEVEAUX COMPLIMENTED.
Colored Officer* May Hereafter Be
Placed on Retired List.
The session of the Georgia Legisla
ture which ended on Friday was one
of remarkable interest to the colored
military and the people of Georgia. It
ended with a great compliment to Maj
or John H. Deveaux, the commander
of the Georgia State Troops, colored,
by promoting, or rather restoring, him
to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, com-
the colored military forces of
Georgia. This is the first time in the
history of the state that such an act
has been passed by the Legislature,
and shows the high esteem in which
Col. Deveaux Is held by those In au
thority in the state.
The First Battalion which he com
mands, was organized over twenty
three years ago, and he was elected as
its first major, and has been In active
service ever since. Under his command
there has been great Improvement In
the efficiency of the companies, and the
discipline of the men. The military au
thorities, recognizing Col. Deveaux’
ability in maintaining the efficiency
and discipline of his battalion, at the
re-organization of the State Troops two
years ago, placed him in command of
all of the colored companies In the
state. Including the Georgia Artillery.
The bill, as passed by the Legisla
ture, also provided for the establish
ment of a roll of retired officers for
the colored military officers, which Is
calculated to have a tendency to In
crease the efficiency of the officers and
stimulate their efforts to make safe
and reliable men at all times.
SAVANNAH IS FOR SCHLEY.
General Verdict Sustained the Find
ing of Admiral Derrey.
Savannah is distinctly a Schley city.
This has been apparent ever since the
question was raised as to who was
entitled to the glory and the credit
of the victory at Santiago over the
Spanish fleet. Savannah pronounced
at once for Schley, and never has it
wavered in the belief that he was the
prime factor that operated for the
success of the American ships.
The evidence before the Schley court
of inquiry was watched with interest
by many Savannahlans. They hoped
that he would be completely exoner
ated of the charges preferred against
him, and the annnouncement in the
Morning News of yesterday gave them
food for comment. They were busy
trying to decide whether the decision
meant a victory for Schley or his en
emies.
Savannah's admiration for Schley is
equaled only by its admiration for
Dewey, who was once the city’s guest.
Anything that Dewey says is accepted
by Savannahlans. His pronunciation
in Schley’s favor, sustaining hint in
ail that he has done and giving him
credit for the proper handling of his
ship and fleet, was received as com
plete vindication, for the finding of the
other admirals against the accused was
not of sufficient weight among Savan
nah people to turn them from their
regard, respect and admiration for
Schley.
MANY ORANGES MOVING.
Florida Fralt 1* Going North In
Large Quantities.
The movement of oranges from
Florida to the North is heavy. Both
the Southern Express Company and
the fast freight lines are handling
large quantities, and it would seem
that the Northern market* will be well
supplied with the luscious fruit for the
Christmas holidays. The Express Com
pany has a daily movement of five or
six cars through Savannah, while the
freight lines handle some five times
that number. Very good prices are
realized by the Florida growers for the
fruit which is shipped from the South
ern peninsular. Gradually, however,
the line of the orange producing terri
tory is creeping northward, and it is
seen year by year that the effects of
the great freeze of 1894 are becoming
less marked.
Stock Brought Very Little.
The stock of the R. F. Hoyle Grocery
Company was sold before the door of
the Court House yesterday, to satisfy
an execution issuing from the Superior
Court. A small stock of groceries, be
sides delivery wagons and other arti
cles used in the business, went under
the hammer. The entire stock brought
llttl* more than SIOO. The execution
Issued on a distress warrant aworn out
by Msj. John Schwarz, owner of the
premises In which the defendant car
ried on lta business
SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS: SUNDAY. DECEMBER 15. 1901.
SWINDLED A FOND MOTHER.
Grafter Promised to Secure Her Son
a Position in Railroad.
The city detectives were looking
yesterday for an oily tongued white
man who swindled a lady in the south
ern section of the city out of JlO. The
case was reported at police headquar
ters, but when Detective Stark went
tQ search for the swindler he had al
ready left for parts unknown.
The stranger represented himself as
a mechanical engineer of prominence,
who had accepted a position with one
of the railroads. He begun by making
an unsuccessful effort to flim-flam
his landlady, and when this scheme
failed tried his hand, with better luck,
on a woman living in the adjoining
house. The man asked the woman
with whom he boarded If she could
furnish him with a safe place to keep
his valuables, including diamonds and
money. He was told that she could
not. He then announced that he would
then have to secure a safety deposit
vault from one of the banks. He would
oblige the madame by putting her val
uables In the same 'box, if she so de
sired. He argued that it would cost
him no more and that It might be an
accommodation to his boarding mis
tress. She declined the proffer with
thanks, saying that she had little and
she preferred to keep those things her
self.
The stranger bowed gracefully and
began work on the next door neighbor
who has a lad she Is anxious to start
out in the business world. The man
pretended to take an Interest In the
youth, and announced his willingness
to put him to work as an apprentice
in the railroad. The woman was pleas
ed and was profuse in her thanks. The
swindler explained that her son would
first have to join the union at a cost
of $lO, and would have to purchase a
pair of overalls at an additional cost
of $5. The money was turned over to
the stranger who left with the young
man. The overalls were purchased and
donned by the would-be apprentice,
who accompanied the stranger to the
yards of one of the railroads. There
he was told to wait until his benefac
tor could pay the $lO which was to go
into the treasury of the union. The
lad waited in vain for the return of
the stranger. It finally dawned upon
him that his mother had been fleeced
by a sharper, and he returned home
with his working garb. The swindler
neglected to pay his board bill with a
part of the money obtained for the
union. The police are of the opinion
that the man was a grafter left over
from the State Fair.
THEY DO NOT LIKE IT.
A Magistrate's Opinion of the New
Law as to Jurisdiction.
“I may as well throw up the sponge.
My occupation is gone,” said a well
known magistrate In discussing the
bill signed by the Governor last week
providing that justices of the peace
shall not try cases which originate out
side of their districts.
“To say,” the magistrate continued,
“that we shall have no jurisdiction
over either criminal or civil cases out
side of our district is to put us out of
business. There will not be a living In
it, not even expenses.”
The magistrate said that the new law
might work in country districts which
are large, but he even doubts its prac
ticability there. He believes magis
trates In all cities will look upon the
as it Is looked upon here. The
largest districts in Savannah are the
First and Fourth. They will come
nearer supporting a magistrate out.of
the business originating within their
limits than either of the other dis
tricts and even these districts will fall
far short of enabling the incumbent
to make more than expenses.
Much of the success of a
magistrate is due to his ac
quaintance, and his clientage is not
confined to any particular neighbor
hood, or section, or district. He draws
from every district. The magistrate
said he did not know that such a
bill had been introduced; it was a
complete surprise to him and his
friends. He was unable to find out who
was the father of the measure. It Is
not unlikely that some steps may be
taken by Justices of the peace, but Just
what is to be done no one seems to
know. The Governor has put his pen
to the bill. It has become law and
the legislature has adjourned.
MAILS ARE HEAVY.
Quantity Destroyed at Maeon Gives
an Idea of Till*.
The average man who mails a letter
at the postoffice has little idea of how
aptly the phrase e pluribus unum
might be applied to it. The mail cars
out of Savannah handle immense quan
tities of letters and papers.
When the Central Railway train,
leaving here at 9 p m., was wrecked at
Macon last Sunday morning there were
about 20,000 letters and about 3,750 pa
pers in the mail car, besides 38 regis
tered letters and packages. These were
all destroyed by fire.
The Central train carried the night
mail from Savannah. Practically ail
the mall that had been posted for the
West since an early morning hour de
parted on that train, which took up
some additions at the various places
through which it passed. Savannah,
however, is the only large city on the
Central until Macon Is reached, and.
as the mail at that place had not been
taken on. It may be understood that
most of the mail originated at Savan
nah.
Heavy as are the malls on the Cen
tral, that on the Plant System apd the
Southern Railway for the North and
East is much heavier. The Seaboard
Air Line also has a heavy mail for the
North and East, while dividing with
the Central the mail for the West.
Thousands of letters from points to the
South also pass through Savannah
daily for the North and East.
LOWENTHAL-ENRIGHT.
Mr. Charles Lowenthal and MI3S
Julia Enright were married quietly at
4 o’clock yesterday afternoon. The
ceremony was performed by Judge
Robert Falligant, at his residence, to
which the wedding party repaired.
Only a few close friends of the bride
and groom were present at the cere
mony. Both the contracting parties
are well known and popular young
people of Savannah.
WHEN HOLIDAYS ARE OVER.
The Fygli* of Winter Tourists
Southward Will Begin.
The north-and-south railway lines
are doing a fairly good tourist business
for this time of the year. Just before
the Christmas holidays is not by any
means the best for the tourist move
ment. but quite a number of the win
ter home and resort seekers have gone
through and are going through dally to
Florida.
As soon as the holidays are over the
business will open In strength. A
steady stream of travel to Florida is
then looked for, and the passenger of
ficials expect it to last until the lat
ter part of February or the first of
March, when the tide will turn north
ward. A fin# prospect for tourist bus
iness is assn by the official*.
“Peace On Earth
mmmammaßsaeaMmMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmaammmmmmMmmmßmmamsammmmmmmmKwmßmmasmmmmmssat
To Men of Good Will” is the essence of the SPIRIT OF THE SEASON. This
spirit is materialized, not alone in deeds of kindness to those near and dear to
tus, but also towards the “needy or suffering brother” who
is in no one’s remembrance. We are rather pleased that
no trifling or inutile objects are included in our handsome
Display of Substantia / Comforters,
terers of remembrance, and remind-‘^^^^^^kf^2fe| !
ers of YOUR GOOD WILL V flsi
Overcoats, Suits, Underwear.
Holiday Neckwear, Stylish Hats.
Smoking Jackets, Fancy Vests.
Bath Robes and Blankets, Slumber Robes.
Silk Night Shirts, Silk Pajamas, fe ja t
The Best Gloves, Cuff and Collar Boxes.
Travelers ’ Toilet Outfits. ||jf
Wives, Sisters and Sweethearts
M I|sPU\ Are particularly desired to note “how easily” their 1
p ursue^to
jj ' J° se * ect particular article you
S : 1 J* m When “Size” is at Issue.
WHEN DOUBTFUL , | i If f| Remember that we can adjust “Fit” all
I I 111 right AFTER CHRISTMAS, provided
An UMBRELLA, is ever a safe conclu- 1 I Iff that we have similar
sion. We show a superb line of FIN- \\ Iff articles on hand. ft V
ESTSILK UMBRELLAS with ELABO- 11 |I f JtX
RATE and UNIQUE HANDLES, and 1 I 11/ Nice line of gentle
best of all our prices are 11 If# men’s substantial j|Tl
Within Reason. Jewelry. I jf _J
Shirts, Neckwear. Full Dress Stitts. Gloves, Opera Hats
And every article required by Men for Ceremonious or Conventional Occasions.
B. H. LEVY & BRO.
A WAR TIME PRAYER.
Dlieovrrrd by Rev. F, A. Juny In
Old Chrlal Church Book.
Rev. F. A. Juny. rector of St. Mi
chael’s Chapel, while examin.ng some
eld prayer books thought to have been
received from Christ Church, discov
ered the following prayer, written on
ancient, tlme-stalned paper: "O.
eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest
out the Heavens and rulest the raging
of the sea: who hast compassed the wa
ters with bounds, until days and nights
come to an end; Be pleased to receive
into thy Almighty and most gracious
protection the persons of thy servants,
the ofllcers and crews of our Ueet, and
especially of the Virginia, now engaged
In active service.
‘Preserve them from the dangers of
the sea. and from the violence of the
enemy; give them victory In their va
rious conflicts, that they may be a
safeguard to the Confederate States of
America, and a security for such as
pass on the seas upon their lawful
occasions; May they return In safety
to erjoy the blessings of the land with
the fruits of their labor, and with a
thankful remembrance of thy mercies
to praise and glorify thy holy name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.”
Upon the back of this epistle la a
part Of a paragraph of what liao evi
dently a letter; only the following
words, however, remain: "Coffee a
great lurury In these times, anl the
butterscotch of which a little had melt
• 1."
Kev. Mt. Juny has not had the time
tc m4k sny Inquiries Into the f.'story
of his And, but thinks that probab'y
thtr* ue many residents of Savannah
who can throw light upon the circum
stances under which th® prayer was
written and delivered.
COME CLOSE TO DEATH.
Asphyxiated Countrymen, Who
Blew Out the Gns, Brought to Life.
Dan and .Toe Mercer, two brothers,
narrowly escaped death by asphyxia
tion yesterday morning. Four hours
after they had blown out the gas In
their room at the Grand Central Ho
tel, they were accidentally discovered,
and through long continued work their
lives were saved.
The two men live Just above States
boro, In Bulloch county, and had been
visiting a brother In Florida. They
reached the city upon their way home
night before last, and secured a room
at the Grand Central, retiring about
10 o'clock. In a burst of Ignorance
they blew out the gas.
About 2 o’clock In the morning two
or three railroad men came Into the
hotel and were assigned to the room
next to that occupied by the Mercers.
.Through the crevices In the door came
the odor of escaping gas, and they
could hear loud breathing.
The door was broken in. when there
Issued from it such a volume of es
caping gas as drove those about the
doorway back Into the hall. When
the atmosphere was sufficiently cleared
to permit the entrance of the party,
the Mercers were lying on the bed in
a comatose condition. At the time it
seemed it would be impossible to save
either of them.
Dr. GCorge M. Norton was hastily
summoned and as hastily responded.
For four hours he worked upon the
unconscious men. and. as it seemed,
by a very miracle, they were at last
brought back to life. They were well
enough in the morning to take the
Central train for Statesboro.
SETTLED OUT OF COI'BT.
Contempt Proceedings, Between
Man and Wife, Were Dismissed.
The contempt proceedings Instituted
by Rosa White against her husband,
Alexander White, were dismissed In
the Superior Court yesterday by Judge
Seabrook. The parties are man and
wife, between whom a suit for divorce
Is now pending, and the proceedings
In contempt were based upon the hus
band’s refusal to pay the alimony di
rected by the court.
The alimony had mounted up to 565,
and the Indications seemed to be that
the hearing would be interesting. How
ever, an application to dismiss the
proceedings was made by counsel for
the plaintiff and the possibility of in
teresting developments was thus re
moved. The parties had reconciled
their differences out of court.
Death of Henri Emit.
News has been received In Savan
nah of the death of Mr. Henri Ernst,for
merly manager for Norden A Cos., here.
Mr. Ernst died in New York last Wed
nesday. His funeral took place Friday.
Mr. Ernst was a native of Switzer
land. He was for a long time Nordon
& Co's, manager In Savannah. He left
here about two years ago.
IN RAILROAD WORLD.
Mr. J. A. Taylor, district passenger
agent of the Plant System, with head
quarters at Tampa, was among the
visitors to Savannah yesterday.
Mr. W. H. Tayloe, assistant general
passenger agent of the Southern Rail
way. with headquarters at Atlanta, was
in Savannah yesterday.
THE CITY OF SAVANNAH.
Xew Strum.hip Will Noon Be on the
Savannah Line.
The steamship City of Savannah sail
ed yesterday afternoon from Chester,
Pa., where she has been remodeled on
the Interior by the Delaware River
Company for the Ocean Bteam*hip
Company, which purchased the ship,
formerly known as La Grande Duch
esse, from the Plant System. The City
of Savannah will go In dry dock at
New York, to remain two or three days
while her propellers are fitted on. She
will then take on a half-cargo for Sa
vannah, where she Is expected to ar
rive about Dec. 20 or 21. Her first sail
ing from this port for New York will
be on Dec. 24, when she will take the
place of the City of Birmingham,
which. Instead of sailing for New York
on her regular run, will carry a car
go of cotton to Boston. Thereafter the
City of Savannah will have regular
sailing dates for and from New' York.
She will be an attractive addition to
the Savannah Line.
Capt. Fisher, who has been In com
mand of the Kansas City, will have
the City of Savannah, which is a pro
motion. Capt. Smith, who has com
manded the iSacoochee, Is In the place
of Capt. Fisher on the Kansas City.
Capt. Asklns has gone from the Talla
hasee to the Nacoochee, while First
Officer Johnson has the Tallahassee.
The changes are effective now, and
some of them have already taken
place, having been made when the
ships and the captains were in port.
All the officers are popular, and their
many friend® will be glad to know of
their promotion. Some of the captain*
of the other vesaels had a chance to
change, but they elected to stick to
their old ships.
11