Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-04
A NIGHT IN THE COUNCIL.
LEGISLATING AGAINST THE BILL
POSTERS.

Penalty Of Fine and imprisonment
The Quarantine Station Not in I'm.
mediate Danger.
The City Council held its first Juue ses-
zion of 1885 last night in the Council
chamber. 1t was the first time the room
had been occupied since the work of fres-
Going and redecoraton had been finished.
The august city fathers gazed on the
handsome fresco and gilded work as they
entered from the caucus room with look
of satisfaction.
The order of business was taken up
without any preliminary formality. A
fun board, with the exception of Alder
mon Hamlet and Nichols, was present.
There was very little business OF i'm
portance to be disposed of, and, after hay-
ing been convened, the session was not
prolonged further than was necessary to
2et it out OF the way.
The principal subject Of debate was the
ordering the removal of the bill-boards
and prohibiting the posting of advertise
ments or bills Of any kind in the streets.
The ordinance was introduced by the
Street and Lane Committee at the last
meeting, and provides for the removal at
once Of all boards or structures Of any
kind standing in the streets, and used for
posting Bills programmes or adye ,tise-
meuts.
Italso prohibits the erection of any new
structure for that purpose, and the post
ing Of any bill, programme or advertise
ment on any post or billboard in the
streets of the city under penalty Of not
less than S. nor more than $50 fine, or by
imprisonment not exceeding thirty days.
The ordinance was read a second time
last night. Alderman Hamilton raised
the objection that il was too sweeping in
its prohibition, and made it violation of
the law for a man to use his own
building if he chose to for
the purpose Of advertising his business.
Instead OF applying alone TO the objection
able and unsightly bill boards in the
streets, which Obstruct the view Of prop
eTty owners in the vicinity and cause the
streets and sidewalks to be Uttered with
torn and mutilated paper. 1t prohibited
as he understood its meaning, the use Of
the stationary bil-bOards erected ON the
sides of buildings.
The point was also raised whether it
did not prohibit a merchant from exhibit
ing his business sign or putting out a
bundle OF advertisements at the entrance
to his store,
Alderman Nell thought the ordinance
ought to be amended 80 as to include in
its prOhi6it0ry clause only the bill boards
standing In the street outside the curb
stone. He believed that it should pro-
hibt also the posting of indecent and OBJ
scene matter, such as the Black
Crook and other illegitimate
theatre advertising, which had
been done here in violation of what
ever ordinance now exists. He was
rigidly opposed to advertising matter of
such a class, and believed it an insult to
the community to allow it to be exposed.
He therefore moved an amendment that
the ordinance require the removal only Of
the bhl-boards standing in the street be-
yOnd the curbstone.
Alderman Hamilton, after the debate
bad become general, took different view
of the matter, and expressed the belief
that the ordinance was not too sweeping.
The stationary bill boards, although
erected upon private property, are gem
orally upon buildings extending up to the
street line, and consequently the bill
board must extend beyond the line and
into the city's domain. These boards
We're generally and altogether, so far as
he knew, made to pay revenue to the
owner. They are rented out for certain
remuneration. He believed this could
not legally be done on the city's property.
Alderman MelPs amendment was
defeated by vote of to T.
The debate was taken ND by
after a lengthy argument the ordinance
was put upon its passage, the yeas and
nays being called. The result was a tie,
Aldermen Hamilton, Thomas, Duncan,
Bogart and Wells voting for Its passage,
and Aldermen Nell, Mills, O'COnnOr,
Myers and Derst against it. The Mayor
cast the deciding vote in favor of its pass
age.
Under the instructions Of the ordinance
- d m frpnn no
streets at once. and those remaining on
July Will be torn down and removed by
the city. According to its provisions, al
though IL is not understood to apply to
any legitimate advertising, no bills can
hereafter be posted anywhere in the
streets, and all bill boards. no matter
whether erected on buildings or not, If
they come within the city's domain, will
have to be removed. The ordinance makes
a clean sweep of theatre advertising as
we'll as that Of business houses.
The joint committee on Health and
Cemetery and Harb0r and Wharyes, to
winch was referred al the last meeting the
communication Of Health Officer Nc
Farland, recommending that the Council
take immediate action for providing a
new quarantine station in place Of the
present station, which, in the opinion Of
the Sanitary Board, would soon be rem
dered untenable in consequence OF the
government work now being constructed
for the improvement OF the river channel,
reported that by invitation Of Lieut.. Car
ter the committee, together with
other members Of the Council,
had recently made an insp e.
ton of the improvements as well as the
quarantine station. Lieut.. Carter had ex-
pressed the opinion that il would be some
time before the station would be rendered
useless for the purposes tor which il was
designed, and that IL would be inadysable
TO take any action looking TO government
tai aid la establishing new station until
some serious dana 90 had actually oc-
Cured. The committee, therefore, recon-
mcnded chat DO further steps boo taken at
present. but that the Health officer Toe re-
quested - maintain a continued vigilance
in tie matter and report 20 the Council as
sooa rs In his judgment H. would be nee
essary 10 make definite move in cdnse-
qucnco Of damages having already oe-
cured.
Alderman Thomas made another move
towards compelling the crowds Of huck-
sieis Who occupy the streets ana side
walks outside the Market TO occupy The
stalls inside the building. Only twelve
ont o. the iifty vegetable stalls In the
Market are now rented by the year, while
vegetables and truck are sold from
benches appropriated for the use OF per-