Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-08
A TRAmP ON rYRRE.
Captain Fitz and His Forward Deck
Frfends-Dun Times -aE the New
port of the SOuIh-What the Cause
Is-A Few other Things.

TERRAPrN TERRACE, TYBEE ISLAND,
August 7.-Dsar Meas: That shrewd observer
of human nature, the skipper Of the steamer
Plant, divides his passengers into several
classes, one of which he designates as
"tramps," or those unfortunates who are
not able to enjoy all the pleasures offered
by this seaside resort, and who are prevent
ed by the demands Of their re-
speetive businesses from leaving the
city until the O'Clock boat To
this division of passengers was | assigned,
as with my little brown bundle mot the
"little brown jug' of convivial memory
containing q clean shirt and collar. with
which to make my debut on Bay street on
Monday morning, | went aboard the boat
Saturday night. The Captain (Mr. Fitz)
asked the engineer (also Mr.. Fitz) IL he was
ready, and receiving an affirmative reply,
ordered his lines cast loose,
and after seeing how near he could
come to the feet OF tow boats moored on
the other side of the river without striking
one Of them, turned the Plants prov down
stream, rang the ''jingle bell," and after
seeing that everything was al right retired
to his favorite place on the starboard side OF
the forward deck, where he entertained his
select circle of "tramps' with his views on
the general situation OF public affairs. In
these matters he proves himself TO be the
same keen observer OF passing events as he
is ia all things about his vessel. However,
/ did not intend sketching the skipper, but
only wanted to get myself started with this
letter.
TYbee this season has had q greater num-
Der Of residents than during any previous
season, but the number of visitors from the
interior has not been as large as heretofore,
owing to the want of favorable ex-
cursion rates over the railroads. This is to
be regretted, as there never has been more
pleasant season at Tybee than the one we
are now enjoying. | notice a marked i'm
provement in the several hostelries. They
are kept In better order, that is, to judge
from external appearances q am not a
guest OF any OF them): the approach to
each is neatly arranged with planked walks
and few trees. A row of new and conve-
nient cottages extends along the southern
part Of the beach settlement, fianked by a
comfortable mansion built and occupied by
Henry Blum, Esq. These Improvements
show that the future prosperity and popu-
lsrity Of the island as a summer resort are
assured. New rail has been laid on part
of the railway, and am informed that before
the next season opens the entire line will be
put In first class order. This island is the
only seaside resort on the South Atlantic
coast that is readily accessible, and which
has regular communication by steam and
telegraph with the interior, and has good
public houses. With a proper effort on the
part of all interested In its development it
could be made the favorite watering place
for the people OF Georgia, Alabama and
Tennessee, but this effort appears to be
lacking. What can be done in this way was
demonstrated several season ago when with
irregular or unsuitable boats, and dilapi-
dated tramwaY aud many other disadvaI -
tages the parties. who engineered affairs
the interior. IL is true, however,
that this season the Central
Railroad refused to give reduced rates "a
persistent effort might have secured them,
however,, but the other railroads were ready
to, and | believe have issued excursion
tickets. A live agent working In behalf of
the several interests of Tybee could do
much to advertise it to the people of the
interior.
Whatever may be the cause OF this status
of affairs, the facts as stated to me show
that the steamer line is about eight hun
dred dollars behind In its July receipts, as
compared with last year, and that the
tramway for the same month barely paid
expenses. The weather in town may
have had something to do with this
decrease In receipts, many finding their
homes in the city pleasant enough, or
! maybe the boom in railroad stocks a short
time since has made the pockets of some So
plethoric tina: they have gone farther from
home to fare worse. Five to six weeks
more Of the regular season remain, and, If
the weather sage of the dominion beyond
the Lakes" sends hot wave In this direc-
ton, there may yet be rush towards the
seashore.
Captain Fitz has arranged for compli-
mentary excursion for the Islanders, to
come off next Friday, but 1t is not yet de-
cided whether it viii be to Warsaw or
Beach Hammock.
There is considerable talk about railroad
to TYbee, but what basis there is for 1t is
difficult to say. Two to three hundred thou
sand dollars would be- about the cost of
such an enterprise, and my opinion is that
it will never be built unless the Central
or the Savannah, Florida aud Western Rail-
roads undertake it for commercial purposes.
RTTTy R0KIra