Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-16

The Aldermen Discuss the Question IN
the Long Room. but Retreat into eau
ems Behind Closed Doors Before Max
ing Their Report.
Alderman Thomas ordinance providing
for the laying out Of streets and lanes in
the limits Of the city south of Anderson
street was informally considered by the
CITY Council last night. The conference
was held in the Council Chamber, all the
Aldermen being present except Nell and
Derst.
The ordinance was read and considered
by sections, large map Of the extension
being laid upon the table before the
Mayor.
The question as to the amount TO be
paid for the property condemned IN lay :
ing out the streets was discussed, ana ue-
vel0ped a variety ofopiniOn. BY the act OF
the legislature extending the limits OF tus
city it vas, among other things, enacted
that anyone who should build across any
projected street or lane. after the same
had been SURVEYED and laid out by the
Citv Surveyor. and designated by suIhclent
marks and bounds, should. when the Clty
Council proceeded 10 condemn the same
be entitled 70 compensation only accord
ing 70 the value OF the property NJ the
time the survey should be made.
Alderman Hamilton raised the question
whether the city would be compelled 10
pay for the property at Its present value
or when il Is condemned. and whether II
AT the time II be condemned il would not
De likely 10 have enhanced in value.
The Corporation Attorney was OF tue
opinion that it would have to be paid for
at its present value. the object OF the
clause being 10 keep people from obstruct-
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them.
Alderman Thomas thought il best not
70 condemn the property until the city
/ could pay for il, or only so much as IL
could pay for at one time.
Alderman Wells-The city is certainly
not prepared TO pay for it now. Ny idea
is TO let the matter remain as II IS for the
present. The property owners in time
| will be glad 10 have Us open the streets AZ
any price TO make their property available.
The next section of the ordinance, rela-
/ tive to the manner of laying out the
| streets and lanes, was then read by the
/ Clerk.
Alderman Thomas said that in present
| ing the ordinance the recommendation OF
/ the committee on opening new streets
was in favor of lanes, yet they were ready
/ to yield TO the opinion OF the Council. Ihe
/ matter had been carefully considered,
! ana. AllEL lUM- utlAUtA dNAOuf INV ttAA7
/ uounced their convictions in presenting
/ the ordinance strongly in favor OF the
/ plan for which it provides.
! Alderman Hamlet was in favor OF lanes
| in preference to broad streets.
Alderman Thomas requested the clerk
I to read the communication signed PRO
/ gress' IN the MORNING News of We'd
/ nesday. which was complied with. The
! Alderman said that there were two
I ffnr7 which a
/ tTacted his attention, One in particular
/ If in the new extension the blocks were
| 800 or 400 feet, lanes or alleyways Of sOmc
| kind would he required and in building
| them uniformity would be little regarded
! by property owners. The city. therefore,
would do better in providing for them
/ upon uniform plan.
/ Alderman Wells said that when the
/ committee went to work upon the map be
/ was opposed to lanes, but he had since
been convinced that they were a neces-
| sitv. Some place must be provided. for
! the people who now occupy them. The
/ climate in the hot season made 1t neces-
| saFy to secure all the open space possible
| He was now as strongly in favor of lanes
| as be was opposed TO them when the mat
/ ter was first considered.
! Alderman Wilder-DO Charleston and
/ New Orleans have lanes?
Alderman Wells-I don't know about
| that.
Alderman Nichols said that Charleston
/ had numerous irregular alleyways, but
/ that our lanes were better laid out and
/ cared for IN every way.
Alderman Thomas said that the gentle
4 men who had served on the committee had
! realized the necessity for lanes. a great
| many lots had been cut up into small sub
/ divisions, and in order to secure access To
/ them it would be a necessity to provide
! lanes, else the owners would provide them
| Alderman Hanley agreed with Alder
/ man Wells.
| Alderman ThOmas-There is another
way to avoid lanes and that is to construct
| streets where lanes are proposed, but then
! the same objection would exist.
Alderman Wilder-I don't object TO
| lanes. l want large lots the same as in
| other cities.
Alderman Thomas moved that the sec
| ton OF the ordinance be adopted.
| Alderman Hamilton. who had taken no
part in the discussion. after conversation
/ with the Mayor and one or two members
/ of the board, arose and moved that,
| before any action be taken, the COun-
! ell retire to the Mayors room. He
| did not consider that the matter should
/ be publicly discussed until ii had been
| acted upon in caucus. The motion was
/ carried and the members of the Council
/ left the long room and went into private
/ session. Alderman Thomas said, at the
| adjournment of the conference, that he
| saw no objection to the matter being made
public II was a subject in which the
public is interested, and so far as he was
| concerned he was willing that it should
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