Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-27

The Tax Ordinance Passed-The City
Assessment for 1 ss3 Set Aside, and the
Assessment of Last Year, Increased 20
Per Cent, is..Made the Basis for Taxa
tion for the Ensuing Year.
An adjourned meeting of the City Coun-
ell was held last night. The principal
business was the consideration OF the tax
ordinance, the report of the Committee on
Assessments, and the trial of Thomas
O'Neil, driver of Werner Hook and Lad
der Truck, charged By the Chief Fireman
with being absent from his post ana
with being intoxicated while on
duty. After the examination OF several
witnesses the case of the fireman was
submitted to the Council and, by vote OF
9 to 2, he was found guilty on poth
charges. Alderman w ilder moved, as
penalty for the offense. that he be DIS
missed from the service. Alderman Nell
moved as an amendment that In view Oh
O'Neil's past good conduct and ms Iaith-
full service in the department, ana In view
of the fact that. by custom, license was
given on Christmas day that would
not be given on any other day
of the wear. that his punishment
be committed to three months suspension
from service. The matter was discussed
by several Aldermen and vote was
taken defeating the amendment by 10 4,
and passing the original motlon pv the
same majority. The Mayor then passed
the sentence of dismissal.
The Council then took recess ana ad-
jOurned to the Mayors room Tor the con-
sideration of the tax ordinance.
After a session lasting until aIter ihlu-
night the Council reconyened in the long
room, and the ordinance as printed In the
MORNING NEWS was passed WIN con-
siderable amendment.
The report of the Committee on Assess
ments was read, as follows;
The Committee on Assessments, having re-
vised the returns of the Assessors appointed
under the ordinance passed in Council Octo-
Der 10. 1888, and finding that the assessment
as returned by SAID Assessors is irregular,
unequal, and, in most instances, excessive
the committee would recommend
First. That the assessment made Dy the
Assessors appointed under the ordinance
passed in Council October IL, 1870, De SET
aside. and that the same shall not be helu or
taken as the basis Of taxation for the ensuing
year.
Second. That the assessment used as the
basis of taxation for the year 1888, together
with the assessments made on improvements
during the said year, shall be increased ~ per
centum. and the value OF the properly SO
increased shall be the assessment ana Valua-
tion of real estate in the city Of Savannah for
the purposes of taxation for the year A. u.
1884. And the Assessors appointed undef Ine
ordinance passed in Council october lO 1885,
shall be instructed to assess all improvements
made since the last assessment OF improve
ments on the basis herein indicated Tor TAXA
ton during the ensuing year.
And your committee submit herewith ans
ordinance, which should be passed 10 carry
out the recommendations Of this report.
The report was adopted and an ordi-
nance carrying out the recommendations
of the committee was passed. In the
adoption both of the report and the pas
sage of the ordinance Alderman Hamil-
ton requested that his vote be recorded IN
the negative.
A resolution approving a compromise
of the claim of Alice Pve against the city
for damages sustained in falling down
the stone steps at the Whitake slip. a
number of years ago, was passed. The
amount offered by the city as compro-
mise is $1,000. The claimant began an
action against the city shortly after the
accident occurred, and the case has been
pending in the United States Court for
about ten years.
A resolution authorizing the Clerk to
advertise for bids for the filling of city
contracts for the next year was also
passed.
Alderman Hamlet gave formal notice
that at the next meeting of the Council he
would move a change in the rules Of the
Council, fixing the hour of meeting at Z 80
O'Clock,
The Mayor was by resolution instructed
to execute the lease of HutchinsOn's
Island to w. Barnwell, as recommended
in the report of the Committee on Dry
Culture