Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-17
OF THE COUNCIL.
THE QUESTION OF STREET
PAVEIENTS DISCUSSED.

,BrouGhtOn Street Property Owners Pc
titiOn for the Pavement of that Thor
Oughfare-A Preference for Trinidad
Asphalt-The Drainage OF the Low
Lands south and East OF the City-Ths
Tax Ordinance for 1856.
The City Council discussed a number OF
important measures at its meeting last
night. The tax ordinance passed year
ago, providing for the assessment and
levy Of city taxes for 1885, was re-intro.
duced and read for the first time. 1t Will
be considered by the Council as COM
mittee of the whole during the next two
weeks, and at the next meeting will be
amended and passed. 1t is understood
that a considerable reduction will be
made in the assessments.
The question of street pavements was
also discussed. A number OF petitions
signed by property owners on BrOughton
street asked for the pavement Of that
1horOughfare between Jefferson and Alb
ereorn streets. under the law passed at
the last session Of the legislature. The
petitioners, with one exception, recon-
mended the use of the Trinidad Asphalt
pavement, with which the streets of
Washington, Buffalo, Toledo and other
leading cities in the North and West are
paved. The petitions purported to be
signed by the owners of q majority of the
property between Aberc0rn and Barnard
streets.
Alderman Thomas said that three things
in particular in connection with the pc
ltitiOn, attracted his attention. They pur-
ported in the first place, to be signed by
the owners OF majority Of the property
on BroughtOn street between Jefferson
and Abercorn streets taken by blocks.
lie understood that this was not the case.
In the next place one class of property
.owners might want some one particular
kind OF pavement for one block and
lanother class might want some other
ipavement for another block, and
the Council itself, which is
given under the law, the right to prefer
the pavement, might want some other
kind. Mr.. Thomas moved that the petit
tiOns be referred to the city surveyor,
with instructions TO confer with the
property owners interested in the matter.
and to request them to prepare a new pc
tltion for the entire section of the street
sought to be paved, and that no recon-
mendation as to the style OF pavement be
made.
Or. J. J. Waring asked permission to
address the council, and did so, represent
dng the property owners between Aber-
corn and Bull streets, and between Whit
aker and Barnard streets. He urged the
use Of the Trinidad pavement, which he
considered the best adapted to Savannah's
streets.
The Mayor suggested that the proper
course for the petitioners to pursue is to
ask simply for the pavement Of the street,
leaving the selection of the material to be
used TO the City Council. After consider
able discussion the matter was referred
10 the city surveyor in accordance with
Alderman Thomas motion.
The drainage of the ponds south of
Anderson street and between Whitaker
street and the Ogeechee road, and also of
Iawt0n's fields, east of the city, was dis
cussed at length. The matter was brought
70 the attention of the Council through a
communication from the Sanitary Com
mission, urging the necessity of the
work.
Alderman Nell, chairman of the
Drainage Committee, said the necessity
for the drainage of the ponds south of the
city was apparent and that plans for the
work bad been agreed upon some time
ago. In view of the possibility of
change in the arrangement Of the streets
in the city extension, il had been deemed
advisable to delay the commencement OF
the work until this matter is settled.
The question of a rearrangement of the
streets is now being considered by a
special committee of the Council, and as
soon as a report is submitted and acted
upon, the Alderman stated, the work
will be begun in accordance with the
plan already agreed upon or under some
new plan which may be adopted hereaf-
ter. The matter Of draining the lands
east of the city was discussed at con-
siderable length and will be considered
further by the Drainage Committee.
Alderman Thomas moved that the Fire
Committee be instructed to investigate
the feasibility and probable cost of es-
tablishing and maintaining a hose reel
and station similar TO the Protection Hose
Company's station in the southwestern
part OF the city. The motion prevailed,
and the Fire Committee viii take the
matter into consideration.
A number of matters of more or less
importance were considered, and the
Council adjourned until tomorrow night,
when the committee appointed to consider
the petition for an amendment Of the fire
ordinances Will submit report. The
nature of the report is not known, but
the chairman OF the committee, in ad-
dressing the Council last night, stated the
matter will, without doubt, be very easily
and quickly disposed Of when the report
is submitted.
AT THE THEATRE.