Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-18
WORK OF THE CITY COUNCIL

The Whistles to be Regulated-The site
for tbs New Jail Discussed, but No
Action Taken.
The steam whistle nuisance was the
first matter Of Importance to occupy the
attention of the City Council last night.
The Committee on Health and Cemetery
made a report, in which they asked for
further time to consider the matter, and
requested that the Mayor, in the mean
time. issue a proclamation requesting all
persons owning stationary and movable
engines TO blow their whistles as
few times and for as few seconds
as possible. The committee was sat
isfied that the steam whistle
privilege was greatly abused, and to the
extreme discomfort Of citizens and the
detriment of the sick, and closed its report
with the statement that unless 1t was
remedied such an ordinance would be
Dassed as would meet the case. Adopted.
A majority of the Committee on Public
Sales and City LOts-Aldermen Minis and
Wilder-repOrted adversely on the request
Of the County Commissioners to use the
lot in the rear of the police barIack5 as
site for the new Jail. A minority report
was made by Alderman O'COnnOr,
the chairman, in which he said that
the lot was the most eligible
that could be selected. he was firmly
convinced that the city's interests would
be best served by the selection of that lot,
and the exchange proposed would be a
profitable one. He recommended the
passage of an ordinance whereby the eX-
change Of lots could be made, and urged
that the proposition of the County Com
missiOners be accepted promptly.
The resolution passed by the grand jury
on Tuesday, asking that the barracks lot
be selected, was laid before the Council
by the Mayor and read.
Hon. j. r. Saussy, who represented the
County Commissioners as counsel, stated
briefly that this was the third application
of the Commissioners for the property. 1t
was absolutely necessary that new Jail
be erected. The grand jury had requested
it and human decency and the public in
terest demanded a new Jail. The present
Jail was a disgrace to civilization. The new
Jail could not be considered nuisance.
1t would be a handsome building and
no more of an injury TO the property
around than was the police barracks,
which had been jail for prisoners Of the
most violent kind tor years. 1t was con-
Venient, there were no houses on the lot,
and if the Council would not grant per-
mission the Legislature could grant the
right to take it.
Hon. W. d. Harden replied to Mr..
Saussy's arguments. He said he was not
present as counsel. He had pecuniary- in
UeFest in the matter, and was there In his
own behalf and that of his neighbOrs.
After fully discussing the damage to the
property near the barracks, which had
been purchased with the virtual under
standing that the Jail would not be put
there. he declared that there was one
principle underlying the whole question
that il is the duty of those in power to
protect those who cannot protect them
selves.
Mr.. Saussv made briefreply, IN which
he stated that the interests of the private
citizen must yield to the public need,
after which the discussion closed.
The reports of the committee was then
received as matters of information.
Alderman Q'COnnOr introduced an ordi-
nance providing for the deciding to the
County Commissioners of the barracks
lot for Jail site, in exchange for lots 8,
ard in Troup ward. 1t was read, and
when about to be put on its second read
ing Alderman Hanley objected, and 1t
went over.
The tax ordinance for 1885 was put on
its first reading.
Alderman Hamlet offered a resolution
referring the question of damages for
land taken from the Savannah and
Ogeechee Canal Company for opening
streets, and the impairment of its
franchises and property by reason of
building bridges, etc., by the Central
Railroad, according to plans submitted,
to arbitration by seven persons, of whom
three shall be chosen by the city and
three by the Canal Company, the seventh
to be selected by the six already SO
chosen. The resolution was adopted.