Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-11-13


Editor Morning NetoS: | hear with re-
gret that the people en- ndsse, who had de-
cided to buy the Oglethorpe Barracks
property for hotel site upon which 10
erect a building that would be an orna-
ment and pride to our city, are to be an
tagonized by those VINO control the resld-
uarv legacy of the late Miss Tellair, and
who desire to purchase and use it, nearly
as it stands, for a home for INDECENT Ia
dies. as provided under the will.
Thirty years ago number OF
our citizens combined, and under
even more fiattering circumstances,
raised large fund, bought an
eligible site. and were about to commence
construction Of magnificent building,
when the opposition Of single citizen TO
their bridging a lane. without Obstructing
its full and free use. caused total aoan-
dOnment of the enterprise and gave over
our fair city for thirty years as a by-Word
and reprOach for the abOmInable ana IN
adequate character Of her hotel accom-
mOdatiOns. Travel where he Will, 1t is
ever the fate Of the citizen of savannah
to be compelled to hear his city the sub
5 gn this III u" Subject Of inadequate
hotel facilities, and more than that. to
have to admit its extreme justice. Just
as the most popular uprising ever
witnessed in our city upon any question
had declared for a grand hotel up in all Of
its appointment, to the highest standard OF
modern demand, and a site has been de-
termined upon for it with singular unanl-
mitv. it is discovered that the site is
also wanted for private charity, and its
purchase seriously contemplated at an
expenditure for first investment
and reconstruction to mt 1t
for use, of nearly One-haf the
residuary legacy, and leaving under the
most iudicious investment OF the other
half not over $1,000 or $4,000 income for
the support and expenses OF this vast pur-
chase. But the wisdom or folly in the
handling of Miss Telfair's legacy is a
secondary concern to the public compared
to the interference with a great public en-
terprise, rich in promise of wealth and in
creased population, and which proposes
TO beautifv and adorn the most valuable
and costly body Of land in the city south
of BroughtOn street. In the purchase
and improvement of this spot
the projectors of the hotel estimate an
expenditure in land, buildings and outfit
of quite $500 900 to $500, 600, double Miss
Telfair's legacy. The advocates of pur-
chasing il for a poor house only propose
to expend enough on it to adapt the present
detestable improvements to their needs.
The hotel project will improve property
around the spot and over the entire city
the poor house scheme Will depresS 1t.
From the hotel project the city, State and
county will add to their tax revenues
thousands of dollars annually. On the
contrary, if the subsequent management
is to be marked by the same extravaganza
that characterizes the purchase of site,
it will not be long before the poor house
Will be an incumbrance upon the public
revenues, to which, as a charity, it Will
be exempt from contributing anything to-.
A thousand sites about the city will COM
ply with the modest requirements OF Miss
Telfair's will. The barracks site is the Ontu
available and eligible site for hotel at
present attainable. While Miss Telfair's
legacy is entitled to all commentator,
and 1t is a graceful and enduring tribute
to her wOmanhood, Savannah can better
afford to have it lay dormant for the next
thirty years than that or anything else
should retard the construction of a first
class hotel for a single year. Miss Teltair
contemplated and provided for a modest
charity, great only in its usefulness. The
purchase of Oglethorpe Barracks as a
home in the execution of the legacy
would make il the most osten-
tatiOus charity on the American conti-
nent, all things considered. | trust, Mr..
Editor, that the representatives of Miss
Telfair in this matter will ponder long
and well before they commit themselves
and their trust to such a stupendous blum
der-for blunder it would be of the most
enormous magnitude. Their opposition
on the day of sale to those of our citizens
Joined together to purchase it for a hotel,
will simply make them waste money
by forcing them to add to the
already plethoric Treasury of the
United States without benefit to
themselves, and noble charity, grandest
when mantled in the modest design of its
author, that should start out on its mis-
sion of love with the God-speed of an en-
tire people, will begin its work under
cloud of popular disapprObation.
| cannot bring myself to believe, Mr..
Editor. that such good people as control
in this matter can be made to stand i'll
the way of a great public enterprise, so i'm
portant and vital for the future of Savan-
nah, when they come to seriously and ear
nestlv consider the question. L. l.. E.