Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-04-26
.IrNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

Hearing of Appeals and Miscrllane-
Gus Business.
The session Of the City Council last
night was lacking In interest except the
report of the special Committee APP
pointed to investigate the varions depart
ments Of municipal government with a
view 10 retrenchment in expenditures.
The Council was called TO order at $50
o'clock bv the Mayor. Present. Mayor
lester and Aldermen Hamilton, Thomas.
Nell. Hanlev. O'Connor. Wilder, Green,
Minis. Derst. Nichols, Wells and Hamlet.
The Clerk read the minutes Of former
meetings. which were confirmed.'
ACCOUNTS.
The Committee on Accounts reported
having examined and found correct ac-
counts against the city amounting 10 SIS
So -, and recommended that they he
passed for payment.
REPORTS.
The Finance Committee reported ad-
versely TO rcfundinS $50 prayed for in pc
tition Of T. b. Thompson.
The Committee on Dry Culture reported
adversely in reference to laying sewer on
Anderson street.
The Committee on Water Works re-
ported adversely 10 extension Of water
main prayed for.
The Committee on streets and Lanes re-
ported adversely TO granting petition OF
W. ii. Gibbons to erect shed; and also in
reference TO petition Off. G. Haywood and
others. for sewer on CASTOR street, stated
that there was no ordinance providing for
the laying of sewers. and presented an
adverse report.
The Committee on Public Sales and
CITY Lots. in regard to various applica-
tons for sale of city lots, presented mi
nority report. and asked for expression Of
Council in regard TO prOpriety Of making
a further sale of the eleven lots now re-
naming unsOld.
The Finance Committee reported adj
yeTsely on petition of ;. VI. Phillips To
transfer liquor license.
The Committee on Health and Cemetery
reported fayOrably on petition of Samuel
Syler and Melissa Hesse, TO exchange
lots in Laurel Grove Cemetery. Also, on.
petition of Henry WetherhOrn for re-
Enumeration for goods and clothing de-
strOyed at pest house, reported recon-
mending the payment of bill amounting
to 1912 40.
The report Of joint committee from City
Council and Sanitary Commission, in
reference to petition OF \. F. Thompson
for permission TO lay gas pipes, was pre-
scented by the Mayor and read. In view
of the unfavOrable report of the Sanitary
Commission the original petition was
withdrawn.
THE CITY DEPARTMENTS.
The special committee appointed to in
vestigate the various departments Of the
city government with the view to curtail-
ing expenses, presented the following re-
port:
SAVANNAH, Ga. April p. 1883.
To he Honorable the Mayor anil IldSr5"e0 cT
tie City Of Savannah;
At 4 meeting of Council held January,
lSS3. the undersigned were appointed COM
mittee TO investigate the various departments
Of the city government and TO ascertain
whether II l. practicable 10 retrench the eN-
penses Of the same. Each department was
investigated by your committee. and from the
testimony submitted to them by the Chair
men of committees having control of the par
.ticular branches of the service and the officers
At the head of the same, they beg leave to
submit certain recommendations, which, al
though not a. elaborate a. the committee
desire, yet will in measure accomplish
something in the way OF rcirenchinent:
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Fire Department was the first impor-
tant branch of the public service investigated,
ami we think that there Is no room for the
exercise OF economy at the present time.
The department Is in very good condition,
and it would be- destroying the efficiency OF
the same to reduce the expenditures. The
committee, however. suggest that the drivers
OF the engines ana nose reels ana NOOK anu
ladder to be hereafter employed be paid az
thu rate of fifty dollars $50 per month. the
present ones 10 be paid as usual-siNty dollars
$50, per month. Ii has come to our knowledge
that the expenses for repairs to fire engines
are enormous. and think il would De
saving Of money To the city 10 purchase new
ones a. soon d possible. We recommend that
y hen an engine needs repairs that the Fire
Committee advertise for bids TO make the
same. and that sand bids be transmitted to
the Mayor. and by him laid before Council
ssva-Hn linz
appeal was made To u in reference 10 an
increase OF salary of certain employees Of said
department. which was duly considered, and
we desire to say that a our committee was
only appointed TO retrench expenditures, if
practicable. we think il would be exceeding
the bounds if we reported favoTahly or adj
versely to such an application. We are Of
the opinion that such a matter should be pro-
posed by the Fire Committee, as that Is the
proper channel through which such an appeal
should come.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The next branch of the public service that
engaged the attention of your committee
was the Police Department. We take Oc
CaslOn 10 say that it has attained a
high stahaard Of efficiency, and the
duties required have been performed
in prompt and intelligent manner. rs the
result of our investigation and upon the sug-
GestiOns of those familiar with the workings OF
this department, we have concluded that two
~ Lieutenants are unnecessary. We recon-
mend that the offices now held by the two
- LleUtenantS of the police force be abOl-
ished, and in lieu thereof the creation of an
Office TO be known as Assistant Chief of Police
at a salary Of fifteen hundred dollars $500
per annum. whose duty it will be to assist the
Chief in the discharge Of his duties, and, in
his absence, TO Ofhcatc IN his place and strictly
adhere TO all the duties of that office. From
information received. we believe that owing
to the non purchase of pistols the expenses Of
this department will amount to about three
thousand dollars $1,000 less than the apprO-
priation in the budget.
MARKET DEPARTMENT,
The next branch inquired into was the Mar
ket Department. We believe the salaries OF
Clerk and Deputy and other expenses cannot
be reduced. The revenue derived from the
rental of stalls and privileges to hucksters.
vendors, etc. Is very encouraging. We call
the attention Of Council. and especially the
Committee on Market. to the loose manner in
which charges and the collections Of money
are made by the Clerk and his Deputy. We
think the Committee on Market should adOpt
some system whereby fixed charges Will be
made and the amounts received from buck
sters, vendors. ETC., will be properly account
ed for. We do not intimate that the amounts
collected by these gentlemen have not been
paid into the City Treasury, but we are GER
lain that il i not safe way to conduct the
business of any department.
HEALTH AND CEMETERY DEPARTMENT.
The above department has adopted the re-
forms about to be proposed by our committee.
sALARIED OFFICERS.
We recommend that the ordinances which I
prescribe the payment Of fees and costs 10 any /
salaried officer for the performance Of certain !
duties therein mentioned be abolished, and in /
lieu thereof the passage Of an ordinance pre-
Scribing that said fees and costs be paid into /
the City Treasury, and that said officers make I
a monthly report to Council of the amounts 4
received and turned over to the Treasurer.
The committee have examined the workings /
of other departments, but are unable to re f.
port any recommendation as to curtallment Z
OF expenses therein.
We are opposed TO the high salaries which f.
certain city officers are at present receiving.
The ordinances fixing the salaries have been /
in force some time, and although we are /
heartily in favor Of 4 reduction IN salaries. /
believing thereby an immense amount of (
money would be saved to the city. we fear. /
however. that a retrenchment in that respect I
can not be accomplished at the present time. /
We are in favor. at the earliest practicable J
moment, of reducing the expenses Of the city I
in this regard.
In conclusion. we urge upon the Chairmen /
of committees TO closely observe the eXpendi- !
lures Of their respective departments. and see I
that expenses are incurred only when absO- |
lance and attention to this matter the city |
NAV save large sum of money. Having per- 7
formed the duties assigned us. we ask 10 be /
discharged. 7. }. O'CONNOR,
J. +. MINIS.
DAVID WELLS.
SAMUEL =. HAMILTON, I
J. J. WILDER.
Alderman Hamlet opposed an adoption
Of the report and on motion Of Alderman /
Thomas the committee was continued for [
the purpose of examining and further re- {
porting from time TO time as their ihyesti- (
cation might suggest.