Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-11


during the period of protracted bad
harvest weather but later on prices began 70
decline when it was ascertained that the rams
would not diminish the quantity. Some Gam
age was done to. the quality, as the larger pfI
centage than usual of low grades indicated; a
great deal of damage was done TO the new
crop by the gale in August. correct estimates
as to what extent being difficult to arrive az,
the injury not alone being confined 70 noatlng
OF of rice already cut, blowing down ana
whipping out of that which was ready for mar
vest but the loss of life, barns horses banks and
injury to young rice by overflow OF salt water
was very great. The prospect OF the present
crop being short, has had the effect of enhancing
values, which in a measure will compensate
for the loss to rice planters in other respects.
The trade in this cereal shows most satisrac-
tory results the receipts at this port during the
past season having doubled the receipts OF SIX
years ago.
That growing industry for Georgia. naval
stores, continues to improve from year 20
year, and at a rate which Will war
rant us in the prediction that few
seasons more viii witness Savannah
country. Notwithstanding the fact that the
whole of the last crop OF the United States was
short to the extent of some IS 900 barrels spirits
turpentine and IS, 000 barrels rosin, as COM
pared with the previous year, due no doubt to
to q late spring with cold weather. and later on
to protracted drought during the summer.
This port has received 5000 barrels spirits
turpentine and 2S2 600 barrels rosin, an increase
in the latter This result is especially note
worthy, as will be observed by the following
comparisons with other points,
Charleston-Spirits turpentine IA per cent.
decline: rosins per cent. decline.
Wilmington-Spirits turpentine IA per cent.
decline: resins IA per cent. decline.
Mobile-SpiritS turpentine % per cent. de-
cline; resins Is per cent. decline
Brunswick has shared with Savannah very
heavy increase in this article of commerce.
River and harbor improvements have. pro-
crossed slowly during the past year, and but
little has been accomplished. but what has been
done is Of a permanent character The work
is fully twelve months behind hand, due to the
failure of contractors in their agreements with
the government A point has now been reached
where the government has taken charge of the
work, which, at present, is progressing in a
satisfactory manner. All the beacons which
naked the channel from Tyhee to the CITY were
destroyed by the force of the August storm,
since which time only temporary structures,
erected by the Ocean Steamship Company
have been in use, In reference to lighting the
river we are enabled to report that officers of
the General Government are now engaged in
negotiating for land at various points on the
river upon which to erect structures for the
lights, and we are informed that as soon as til
ties are perfected the work will progress rap
idly, as the appropriation has already been
made for the purpose. These lights, when in
operation. will prove of great value to the
shipping Of this port. 1t is to be regretted that
they were not in readiness for the pres
ent seasons business. The most important of
the river improvements is the widening
and strengthening of the channel at the red
light on the oyster beds, so as to admit vessels
of all sizes and lengths The channel is now
accessible to all classes of vessels.
In the lumber and timber trade there has
been no material change except in the enhance
ment of values This market continues to
handle about 60.000,000 feet annually and
every facility is offered for cheapness and ex-
ped1tion, deliveries being made from cars on
skids located at the ships side.
The Ocean Steamship Company continues
to strengthen its lines by the addition of new
and powerful steamers. 1t has been demon
nah demands additional tonnage, and the
wants OF this port are sooH to be supplied by
the addition of three new and powerful steam
ers, which in capacity and appointment will
be equal to the largest of the magnificent
steamers now owned by that company, already
controlling the most elegant and substantial
lines Of steamships engaged in the
evidently the intention of the Ocean Steam.
ship COMPANY to meet every want of this
port so far as it applies to their particular line
of business in manner which will defy COM
petition At the wharves of this company, in
addition to improvements in the way of com
mo3ious wharf sheds and brick warehouses,
there is now being erected a grain elevator OF
large capacity after the most improved pat
tern.
Much progress has been made in the matter
of erecting new buildings and remodelling of
old ones throughout the city. Noticeable is a
the Savannah, Florida and Western Railway,
and another to be shortly erected at the
wharves of he Ocean Steamship Company
the plans of which are already matured The
Savannah Oil Company have doubled the ca
paclty or their works A new industry has
been started for the manufacture of paper
from the palm tree. The outcome of the bust
ness or the cotton factory has been all that
could be desired, and an evidence of the
progress OF this city is the springing up of |
small industries on all sides.
Speaking in general terms of the business of |
the past year, as applied to the wholesale and |
retail trade, white the volume of transactions |
has not been as great as that of the previous |
year, the state OF the trade was Of a most |
satisfactory and healthy condition.
AS this Exchange is the only active CONNER
cial organization in this city, and representing
as 1t does such large element of the wealth |
and diversified business interests identified |
with the prosperity of this port we feel no |
hesltancy in protesting, in the name of the en- |
tire community, IN the strongest terms against |
the imperfect and inadequate postal facilities |
supplied to us by the General Government It |
or the large revenue derived from Savannah |
In the way OF import, duties, and from other |
sources that the General Government |
should supply our wants in this respect There |
is perhaps, no city in the United States of the
size OF Savannah which is 50 poorly provided |
Tor In this particular. What is wanted is a /
post office building suited to the requirements
OF the business of the city, and one erected in /
q manner that will be proof against destruc-
ton by fire. We appeal to and earnestly hope
the General Government will supply this long
felt necessity.
At this port every facility Is offered for eco
nomlcal and expeditions handling of cotton
rice, naval stores, lumber and all other arti-
Giles which go to make up the volume of its
vast commerce. The cotton presses are first
class, and the most powerful in use at any of /
the cotton ports, the Press Association being
continually on the alert for any improvement
that will facilitate the already superior hand
ling OF cotton by them. The rice mills are in
good condition, one recently erected contain
ing all the late improvements, and the others
are adding them, and in all ether respects we
are apace with the age Of advancement and /
With hopes Eor q future laden with pros
perity. Respectfully submitted.
JOHN T. WHEATON, President.
The reading of the report was received
with expressions of approval.
The election for officers to serve the en-
suing year will take place on Monday even