Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-06
NEEDS OF THE HARB0RS.
THE PROPOSED HARBOR CON
VENTION NEXT MONTH.

The Initial Step Taken at the City Ex-
change Meeting Last Nsght-Delegates
from All of the South Atlantic Seaport
Cities and Towns Invited to Meet in
savAnnah-Committees Appointed.
In response to the cell published in The
daily papers a number OF leading citizens
met at the City Exchange last night.
Mayor Lester was chosen Chairman, and
Capt W. G. Waller was, on molten OF Mr..
Geo. ). Haines, chosen Secretary
Col. J. h. Estlll explained that the
object Of the meeting was to arrange for
convention in Savannah Of delegates from
all Of the South Atlantic seabOard cities,
and also from those inland cities
whose business interests are largely
identical with the coast cities. The
object Of the convention would be TO dis
cuss the water facilities OF the coast
cities. and TO take steps TO secure larger
appropriations from Congress for the i'm
provement Of the Southern rivers and
harbOrs. He then offered a set Of resOlu-
tiOns. which, after being slightly amended,
read as follows:
Whereas, The. work OF improving the har
b0rs on the south AtlSntic coast Is progress
ing SO slowly that the development Of the
south Atlantic ports Is retarded, and,
Whereas, In order 10 secure more liberal
appropriations for this work, and greater ac-
ugliy IN prosecuting lt, there must be united
ana harmonious action on the part OF All
those interested IN the Improvement OF these
harbors, therefore, be IL
RsSolued, That a harbOr improvement con-
fention be called TO meet in the city OF savan-
nah on the -- day OF November, for the
purpose OF taking such action as nav seem
best topush forward the work OF improving
nr haIr ffaI~ of mo IN Ant
Rss0iusf. That q committee Of fifteen, rep
resenting the various Interests OF TINS city, he
appointed by the charm an OF this meeting.
whose bu -iness n shall be 20 make al arrange
menUs for the proposed convention. and shall
have entire control Of all matters per
tanning thereto This committee
shall have power 10 appoint com
mIttees on finance, entertainment, trsns-
p0rtatIOn, Invitations, etc. In fact, the com
mittee SHAH have power 20 do whatever II
Uay deem necessary for the success on the
& invention. Ii shall have power TO increase
lis numbers TO suy extent II may Judge to be
advisable.
Rssolrsd. That tits the sense Of this meeting
that the convention should be composed OF
Representatives from all the South Atlantic
Eeapor.s, the important towns and cities in
the south Atlantic Staies, and the Governor
and Senators and Representatives. Of the same
and from all other towns. cities and states
that are directly or indirectly interested in
the commerce Of the South Atlantic ports.
Rssolced, Tnat the Chairman OF this meet
y
mittec.
Capt. George a. Mercer favored the
resolutions, saying that there were only
Two phases 70 the question: the desirable
ity az deepening the river and thereby i'm
proving the harbOr, and the probable
success or failure OF the convention TO
accomplish the desired end.
Capt. Mercer referred to the improve
ment Of the Mississippi and Clyde
-
nah. (which I am told,' ne said, "has -
feet Of water at spring tide"
Continuing, be quoted the statement of
Gen. Gilmore, chief Of army engineers,
that il is feasible TO get depth Of % feet
Of water from the bar at the mouth Of tire
river - savannah.
The idea IS not considered practicable
10y some" said Capt. Mercer. "but distin-
Euished engineers say that if the system
of letties be carried out, the same good
results viii be produced as were produced
in the Mississippi"
Abiding to the effect that the conven-
ton may have, the speaker de-
ciared that, in his opinion, the
best way TO secure aid from Congress
Tor the rivers and harbors will be
20 send a committee Of citizens to Wash
ington to talk TO the Senators and Con-
gressmen.
capt. Mercer said that he thought it
possible 70 get the convention to meet in
Savannah.
"But suppose the convention fails In its
purpose what harm can we dO?" he
asked. The expense will be slight and
viii not be borne by the municipality, but
BY public spirited citizens. The benefit
20 the city that would result
from the visit of the delegates,
whose stay would afford an opportunity
for aHv @avannoh1a hacrffaIftx-
would more than balance the trouble and
cost Of holding the convention, even
should il fail to secure the desired aid
from Congress. 'fTO acquaint the visitors
with the wealth and capacity Of Sayan-
nah will ultimately be productive of
good
Capt Joseph A. Roberts expressed
and stated that Gen. Gilmore and
Lieut.. Carter are both chagrined at the
assertion Of the pilots that there is a depth
ot only IS feet i'm the river at mean high
water. Capt. Roberts said that he was
authorized by Lieut.. Carter 10 say that
there is depth Of 20 feet OF water in the
river at mean high tide. and that there is
more water between Venus Point and
the city than there is between Venus
Point and the bar. The resolutions were
unanimously adopted without further
discussion.
Gen. sorrel suggested that the Char
man OF the meeting defer naming the
committee OF fifteen for the present.
Col. Estill stated that be was authorized
q say that the Savannah, Florida and
Western Railway Company will furnish
free transportation to the delegates travel
ing over its line.
President Raoul, OF the Central Rail-
road Company, said that the Central
would DO the same thing for the Delegates
coming over his road.
Capt. Roberts moved that a committee
be appointed TO ascertain the depth OF the
water IN the river.
After some opposition the motion was
carried, and Capt. Roberts. DIR. Heron
and Sir. Green were appointed on the
committee by the Chairman, when the
meeting adjourned.
THE NEW JAIL BONDS.
An Election TO Determine Their Issue to