Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-06
NEW PU BLIC BUILDINGS.
SCHEME FOR UTILIZING THE
OLD CEMETERY PROPERTY.

An Advantageous lite for the Erection
OF City and County Buildings-How the
Exchange and the Present Court House
Could he Disposed Of.
The suggestion made by Judge A. Pratt
Adams a few days ago in reference to the
South Broad street cemetery is creating
considerable favorable comment. The
opposition to the conversion Of the land
into a site for public buildings seems
@chie1y to be sentimental and there Is but
little Of that. Sacred as IL Is, through be-
ing the burial place OF so many oil the
early residents of savannah, the erection
of new buildings thereon would be great
improvement rather than dissertation.
Until within recent years the grounds
were insecurity enclosed, and they &C
quired "A notorious reputation as a clam
destine place OF meeting.
The ownership Of the property Is in dis
pute, but it is the opinion of the best
counsel at the bar that the city can obtain
a title TO it. Christ Church claims a small
portion in the northwest corner, and there
has been considerable litigation over 1t.
The case was taken to the Supreme Court,
and is still on the docket.
The reasons why it ls desirable to erect
county and city buildings on this site are
numerous. 1t is scarcely disputed that
new buildings are needed. They are now
widely separated. The Exchange, aside
from being small, fails to represent the
importance and dignity of a city the size
OF Savannah. The Cotton Exchange wants
the building, and is willing to pay a good
price
The court house, which was hardly
adequate a half century ago. is now de
cldedly unadapted to the nseds of the
court.
Neither the City nor the Superior Court
has more than one jury room, When the
grand jury ls II session the petit luries
have no place to which to retire. In
criminal cases that are not concluded in
one dav the members of the Jury are I'M
necessarily Inconvenience under the
present arrangement in being kept to-
gether. There ia no room provided
for the Judge of this court, and
much annoyance results to both
himself and others members
OF the bar and Jurors more especially who
wish to consult his Honor. The record
rooms are alSO too small, and many val
liable documents are stored in boxes and
chests. These are liable to be lost and
destroyed. To attempt to remodel this
building would entail the expenditure Of
large amount OF money without pro-
ducing an adequate benefit. The ground :
and building, it is thought, could
be sold to the government for
the site of a new post office, which
is greatly needed. Contingencies
which are constantly arising elsewhere
and which may arise here, make it de-
sirable TO locate the new jail near the po-
lice barracks. 1t has not been many
months since an excited populace talked
seriously of assailing the present jail.
Remove it to the cemetery and it will
have the protection of the police. 1t is
\ 4 l,..N . 90 s.n
will depreciate the value of adjacent
property. Surround it by other build
ings, however, and neighboring real es-
tate will be enhanced in value. The lot
itself would be greatly improved
by new buildings, and the unOccupied
ground would be heautitied and preserved.
1t is the only available and most desirable
site. The use contemplated is the only
one which could be made of it, Many of
the bodies were disinterred years ago.
The city has prohibited any more burials
there, and the only reason for keeping it
in its present condition is based almost
wholly upon sentiment. Many of those
who have ancestors inferred there have
expressed a willingness to assist in any
scheme for the erection of public build
iDgs on the property. Very few, if any,
disbursements would be necessary, so
many have there already been.
The money obtained from the sale of the
buildings now used by the city and county
would go far in defraying the expense of
new ones. The jail fund that has been
accommodating for several years is now
between $4,000 and $4,000. Bonds could
be issued to secure the balance at a rate
so low that it would not create percepti-
bic burden to the taxpayers. Elsewhere
sentiment and the spirit of public i'm
provement have clashed in recent years
NJ oFna Of no
nent instances was that Of a cemetery in
the city of Philadelphia.
The cemetery was decided to be objec-
tionable by the City Council and was con-
demned. The bodies were disinterred,
street extended through the grounds and
cOmmodious and tasty residences were
erected on the rest Of the grounds. 1t is
now one of the most valuable proper
ties in the city.