Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-11-16
THE FIRE LIMITS FIXED.
THE BOUNDARIES OFTHE BRICK
ZONE.


ZONE.
Action of the City Council Upon the New
Ordinance Passed After Repeated
Amendments-The New Time Standard
Its Adoption by the City Deferred
The Yamacraw Street Ordinance
Passed and Freeholders Appointed to
Assess Damages Sustained by Property
Owners.
The ordinance defining the fire limits Of
the city was a special order of the City
Council last night. The Board met in ad-
journed session at 6 O'Clock, Mayor Lester
presiding. Present-tbe Mayor, and AL
dermen Hamilton, Thomas, Nell, Hanley,
OCOnnor, Wilder, Green, Derst, Nichols,
Wells and Hamlet.
The Clerk read the amendment offered
by Alderman Thomas as it appeared in
yesterdays MORNING NEWS, and the
matter was placed before the Council for
action.
Alderman Hanley moved to lay the
whole matter upon the table. He believed
the old fire ordinance could not be i'm
proved, and would be more satisfactory
than any that could at present be enacted
by Council. The matter was creating a
great deal of excitement among property
holders, and he was in favor of allowing
it to rest without further interference.
The motion was seconded and supported
by Alderman Hanley, O'ConnOr and
Derst, but was lost by vote of eight to
three.
Alderman O'Connor moved to amend
by making West Broad street the west
ern boundary line of the ''brick zone"
and also by removing the right of Council
to grant permission to erect wooden
structures within the fire limits; by eX-
tending the area permitted for the cree
ton Of wooden sheds from 100 to 300 feet:
by striking out the entire fourth sec
ton of the amendment relating to
the space between frame structures,
and by other changes, as will be
seen in the ordinances below as
it appears amended. The first amend
ment offered by Alderman O'COnnOr, re-
lating to the boundaries of the fire limits.
was defeated. The Others. taken up by
sections. were adopted. The matter was
Tie subject of considerable spirited dis
cussiOn, and in support OF the o-di-
nance as amended Alderman Thomas said:
1t is with reluctance that 1 offer any re-
marks on the pending ordinance, but silence
now may be construed as indifference to the
unfortunate.
We are here under solemn oath to plan and
Will be best for the welfare and security of
the entire community.
The disaster of a fortnight ago. by its inn
mense destruction of property, making home
less and destitute many hundred of our peO-
pie, of all ages and physical conditions, and
the terrible loss of life, will make October 81,
lsS3, memorable in Savannahs history.
II Is not the part of wisdom to act hastily
under the sting of immediate pain, but with
the utmost calmness and impartiality. The
business section, where large values are
staked and employment afforded the mechan-
&c and laborer, should be protected by such
requirements as ordinary prudence would
suggest. What would to-day be the condi-
ton of the people. not only of North Ogle-
thorpe ward. but of Savannah, had a slight
variation of the wind destroyed the rice mills,
cotton press and canal bridge?
Property owners who were denied the priv
ilege of building wooden houses. and have
erected brick dwellings, should not have them
endangered by large wooden structures, sub
sequently placed in close proximity.
Every person who Is so fortunate as to have
the privilege of erecting frame dwelling at
less cost, should, while contributing to the
common danger, also make some contribution
to public safety. ltwOuld not be fair to bring
the north side ofIndian street into fire limits
and allow continuous frame ranges on the
south side of the same street.
should the owner of every fractional lot
cover its entire width with wooden dwellings,
intervening streets and lanes, an abundant
water supply and perfect fire department
would be pOwerless against such fire as has
devastated amacraw.
Insurance companies have for years regard
Ell risks in 1amacraw and CurrytOwn with
disfavor, carrying only limited lines at high
rates. Defeat this measure and the
same condition of things will exist south of
(TgCiuDeft street. If we have the right to pro-
hibit wooden buildings, we surely have the
right to say how they shall be located and
built, a right which our predecessors and this
Council exercised for y months, under rule ,,
adopted in accordance with the ordinance of
lSS!. If space will not permit wooden build
ing located as proposed and the owner of the
ground is unable to build of brick, he can GER
tainly do so with the aid of any of the many
loan associations, unless he should elect to
sell his ground at an enhanced price and
build where he can procure more space.
| deprecate harsh or hdsty legislation, there
fore substitute Indian for Joachim street and
invite criticism and amendments. Few will
suffer more than by prohibition of wooden
buildings north of Indian street, vet | ac-
qulesCe, and know many others VIII, satisfied
that what may now cause Inconvenience will
soon add to the value of our properties.
Tin roofs would doubtless afford some pro
opinion, indispensable. Pass this amendment
and rebuilding can begin tomorrow.
The question was declared upon the
amendment of Alderman Thomas, as
amended, a substitute for the original
ordinance introduced by Alderman
Wells. The yeas and nays were called,
and the vote was taken with the follow
ing result, Alderman Minis having taken
his seat:
Yeas-Aldermen Derst, Green, Hamil-
ton. Hamlet, Nell, Minis, Nichols, Thomas,
Wells, Wider-10.
Nays-Aldermen Hanley, O'COnnOr-2.
The amendment was passed, and the
vote was taken for the original ordinance,
which was also passed, but which stands
repealed.
The ordinance, as amended, now reads
as follows:
THE NEW FIRE LIMITS.