Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-05
THE FOREST CITY.
How'll appeared to an Ohio Editor.

The Dayton DAILY Journal of Ohio, in its
issue of December %, gives long account
of the experience of the Ohio editors in
their recent trip through the South. we
have not room for a full reproduction OF
the good things they say of their expert
ence and impressions of their southern
trip. The editor of the Journal in his ac-
count says:
sour train rolled into Savannah sun
day evening, and the table absorbed re-
naming daylight. An attentive recep-
ton committee had arranged for lodging
and a pleasure programme on Monday.
Encyclopedias and city directories fur
nish general histories and descriptions OF
the Oldest city of Georgia, hence 1t is
graceful TO avoid tedious details. If you
desire solid facts per quantity, | courte-
Ously refer you to the histories OF Georgia
by Mccall and Stevens, Whites Hlstorl-
cal Collections of Georgia, and TO the HIS
torical Record of Savannah. Therein you
will learn that the original families OF
Savannah were of good hearty English,
and some German stock, but not thor
oughbreds according TO the blue blood
register or chronicles of heraldry; that
like all our forefathers-and mothers
they were sturdy, industrious and brave;
endured many hardships, suffered many
privations, and constructed a common
wealth of heroic people, as thoroughbred
now as any royal household in Europe,
where worth makes the man. The names
of many able Georgians embellish the his
tory of the American Republic.
'EThe Ohioans were indebted to the fore
thought and liberality of a COM
mittee of courteous citizens, for
ride through the city and to subur-
ban points of interest, over pleasant
a
vailing beds of sparkling sand. The ma
terial facts which most impressed us were
manifestations of commercial and marine
activity. The long, broad and capacious
palmetto docks for shipping and the ac-
cOmmodation of cotton, naval stores,
lumber and artificial fertilizers. told
the story of the leading interests OF
Savannah. A million bales of cotton, OF
the crOp of 1882, will be handled there.
Most of ii is exported in British bottoms,
which crowd the docks. Naval stores and
lumber are only less important exports,
and fertilizers the leading 1mportatlons.
Cotton is bank tender in savannah. A
bale of ii is the equivalent OF about 500.
The substance of the docks is OF palmet-
to, which is regarded indestrucuble.
had assumed that it was useless except
ing when embellished with rattlesnake
as symbol of South Carolina devotion to
herself, but was glad to find it has ma
terial value.
'.The cotton receipts OF the crop of 1880
were 100000 bales, all of which was for
export; of rice, $4,000 casks, OF which
3,27S were for home cOnsumpu0n; naval
stores, 231 400 barrels for export; tur-
pentine, $500 barrels; lumber, o6,4O0,-
600 feet, of which A, 100000 were shipped
coastwise; of vegetables and fruits, 49,
600 packages.
''The largest local interest is steamship
lines. all cOastwise, from savannah to
Boston, New York, Baltimore, and inter-
mediate points, and down the South At
lantic, and around TO the Gulf. The Sa-
vannah Ocean Steamship Company is the
largest and most wealthy, embracing
nearly all coast steam lines that
plv from Savannah. Its great pas
senger lines to New York and Phlladel-
phia are composed of some OF the
best specimens of naval architecture
atlOat, altogether seaworthy, COM
modious, elegantly finished with decora-
tive woods and metals, and embellished
with elegant furniture. They afford de-
cidedly the most desirable and cheapest
modes of travel from Savannah to North
ern points-to New York, for instance, in
tifty-twO hours for $40, berths and an
elegant hotel table included. The rail
fOute occupies forty hours at cost of
about $40. Hence, travellers not pushed
for time, naturally prefer the steamship
route. 1t is as safe as railway travel.
''The Ohio crowd were sumptuously
bandueted on the new steamer City of
Tallahassee by the company, and were
afforded opportunity to inspect one of the
most perfect and elegant specimens of
naval architecture ever constructed. She
is very large and capaciOus, with her
splendid dining room midships between
decks. You shall not be bored with de-
tails. The woodwork throughout Is eX-
quisite-chietly of American ornamental
woods, with embellishments of for
eign burls, and all accessories are
thoroughly in accord. Hence, you may
comprehend that they who go to sea in big
ships from Savannah TO Boston, New York
and Baltimore enjoy themselves in float
ing palaces. While observing the fore
castle seamen unloading baled hay from
the North, an Ohio editor of bucOlic turn
ruminatingly observed that they have to
raise grass with a derrick down here
which was voted the worst thing Matched
out on the tour.
1.-THE banquet, as recherche in appoint
ments as lavish liberality could provide,
drawing from the solid and fluid resources
of all countries, was spread in the ships
glittering dining roOm-the novelty of
which to most of the guests was COM
manding charm. 1t is quite superfluOus
courtesy with which the compliment
was offered and dispensed. 1t was
acceptable altogether because it was
manifestly cordial and sincere. The
truth was, that we were made to feel at
home, and there was not suggestion of
a disagreeable political or social nature,
although, perhaps, every host, excepting
one unusually eloquent orator, who was
too young, had borne arms in the COnteder-
ate cause. The most interesting parsonage
among them-frOm assOciatiOn-was Gen
eral Alexander, who had been General Il.
E. Lees chief of artillery. Indeed, it is
proper to extend my general observations
to everv.man from the Northern Georgia
line TO Savannah. 1t was good to feel at
home in Georgia,
After dispOsing of the banquet, the
vianders were most happily addressed by
various Georgians in terms of cordial
sincerity, and some appropriate responses
were made, although one Ohio editor viO-
lated propriety at the expense of his Ohio
companions by Juggling in Democratic
politics. Our graceful hosts, however,
were quite as sensitive to the awkward
ness as their guests.
From the steamer to the Savannah,
Florida and Western railway car sheds
was a short ride. Special cars were pro-
vided for us on the regular train, and at
four O'Clock, heartily speeded by courte-
GUS Georgians, Ohio moved upon the
sandy lands and rich orange groves Of
Florida"
The Sesqui-Centennial.