Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-06-01

DesuItorv Dots DoubtingIy Delivered.
Editor Morning NelcS: think we Sa-
vannahians are about the busiest people L
ever knew. We become so absorbed IN
the pleasant business of money-maklng
that we allow our next door neighbor TO
do as he pleases-provided he pleases not
to interfere directly with our particular
plans. In this way many matters OF gem
eral public interest are allowed to occur
without comment or protest, or 10 go Dy de-
fault for the lack of proper attention on
our part at the proper time. GeneraIly
we are awakened to our suplne-
ness through the pocket nerve,
and upon awakening. we ma the
cause of our disturbance to be the
adoption of some measure or pollcy some
time before, which we took no particular
note of because not directly Interested at
the time.
In these '4Desultory Dots propose
YOU being willing, Mr.. Editor to note in
a disconnected sort of manner such items
of interest as cross my mental VISION IN
my perambulations through our dusty
unpaved streets.
Speaking of dust. reminds me of our
city fathers. some of whom are very
Young, but who seem to have been porn
to the harness. They are doing wei, ana
L
municipal fairs they. as a whole, snow.
have good information to the effect that
our next financial exhibit will surprise
us all in the large increase oil receipts
from all sources. Particularly VIII TINS
be the case in the matter OIL real estate
taxes Many chronic cases VIII be Drought
forward and sold out unless Ihey settle
up. | venture the opinion that the ln-
crease of the interest debt, that has been
nv no Taalnf
obtained on the Gulf bonds, will be ready
met by the closer collection q tdIeS and
the more raid enforcement OT oil tdtcS
rpI0ti,lg thereto. and by the large increase
in the taxable property OF the city, OF
which must say more further on.
Lest | should be misunderstood, lwould
like to remark right here that don't own
any city bonds. though through no fauIt OF
myown, but only from impecunlosity, there-
fore have no axe that neeQs Srlhulhg. D o,ll
while on that subject viii volunteer the
information that it is good time to buy
them. and if the sinking fund commits
sion has not spent all of its funds
wouldn't it be a good time to advertise
for proposals" like the old maid did?
That leads me on to dangerous ground,
and | am afraid | shall appear lnconsls-
tent. and may be thought to be attacking
the financial policy of the present admin
lSIfdIlOll.
complilnenting. However, that Will rid
me of the suspicion of having that axe to
manipulate, and | will ''doubtingly de-
liyer'' the opinion that a man Cor body
polite has no right to speculate with the
funds of another, if in no condition to sus-
tain a loss. In other words. it is contrary
to good policy for a man, or body polite,
to hold unremuneratiye property when he
or it is heavily in debt. There is too much
vet remaining to be done by the city of
Savannah in the way of permanent
improvements. 10 warrant her
taking the position that the
present bonded debt is a heritage for
future generations. We have too little to
show for that large Indebtedness in the
way of positive good for our children to
ensure us their acceptance of it as good
" heritage. Therefore, must we either
give them something to show for 1t, or re-
duce it more rapidly. Does not good faith
to the bondholderS require of the city that
it convert into cash all idle non-produc-
ing assets? For instance, the city owns
ten or eleven lots worth probably ten
thousand dollars, which Council has re-
fused to sell to its citizens don't want
to buy any Mr.. Editor.
If sold and invested in bonds the city
would save in one year $500 in interest.
The lots would be improved within year;
and land and improvements would GER
tainlv be worth for taxation $4,000,
which, at 3 per cent, would be $500 more.
That is a return to the city of per cent,
to say nothing of the benefit done to adj
iacent property by the improvements
erected, or the benefit done to her own
citizens by the profit in material and labor
in the erection of said improvements.
Without having any data at hand with
which to strengthen my position, VEN
ture to call attention to another piece
of city property, viz: the Dlspensary
Doubtless this land and building,
if sold and the proceeds used and treated
as the city lots aforementioned, would
bring TO the city more than would suffice
to nav for several rooms from which to
dispense drugs. Besides, sir, it seems to
me that a much more economic arrange
ment might be entered into than the pres
ent system by which our poor could be
supplied with medicines more promptly
and more conveniently by having a greater
number of points in different sections.
There may be other property owned by
the city which / could use to illustrate
my position with even greater force. Be
tore venturing upon other dots l viii en-
deavor to post myself as to the amount
realized from the different portions of
Springfield plantation and other pieces Of
city property.
/ am not used to writing for publication,
and for fear lest you should rule this out
on account of length l shall wait until
another time to deliver myself on the
subjects of fire limits, extended limits,
and the necessity for looking out at once
for cemetery beyond the limits of the
city.
Disclaiming all desire to uncharitably
criticise or intention to provoke ''doubt-
full disputations," | subscribe myself, as
in the beginning, the DIS.