Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-26
one nr the nfaror,s suggestlons.

ONle OF the Mayo
The annual report of Mayor Lester,
published in the MORNING NEWS on
Wednesday, contains not only very
clear and comprehensive statement OF the
city's affairs, but, also, some excellent
suggestions. One OF the suggestions that
will doubtless attract considerable atten-
ton is the following: "If people who ac-
oumulate wealth here would take pains
to invest it where it properly belongs,
savannah would soon be city of great
proportions and immense Importance"
! There is truth in this. Too many Of
Savannah's rich men spend their money
and make their investments elsewhere
than I'm Savannah. They are satisfied to
do business in unsightly and even incon-
venient buildings, because they have
little or no pride in the city. Com
paratiVely few Of them build fine resi-
dences. They seem to have fear that
If they should want TO move to some
other city they would not be able
to sell their property tor what 1t
cost them. Years ago the purpose OF per-
haps majority Of the leading business
men was to make fortune AS quickly as
possible and seek 3 permanent home else
where. That idea is about abandoned
now. Drainage and excellent sanitary
regulations have made the city as healthy
as any in the country, and as desirable as
a place of residence. The practice OF In
vesting money elsewhere, however, which
grew out Of the idea OF eventually making
a home somewhere else, has not been
wholly abandoned. There are a great
many buildings that ought to be repaired,
and others that need to be improved IN
various ways. These buildings, for the
most part, are owned either by rich or
wer.to-do people who have little public
spirit. and who will make no improve
ments 50 long as they eau get fair i'm
come from their property.
thin the last year or two more lib
ersl spirit respecting improvements has
begun 70 show itself. Several buildings
that are an ornament to the city have
been erected, and others are projected.
The oity's rich men are beginning to I'M
derstand that they can find no other place
which has greater advantages, all things
considered, than this for a home. Many
Of the diseases which affllct children, and
even grown people, in Northern cities are
unknown here. A glance at the weekly
mOrtuary report shows death rate that
will compare favorably with that OF the
healthiest cities of the country.
There was a time in the city's history
when it suffered a great deal from ma
laria, but that is not the case now. Old
citizens are heard to remark frequently
that the change that has taken place in
this respect is something wonderful. The
children are as rosy and robust as those
of Minnesota or Vermont, and grown
people have the appearance of en-
joying vigorous health. This change has
been brought about doubtless by the in
telligent system of drainage which
has been adopted for the city
and the county. 1t has not been so very
long ago when water would stand in the
streets for days, and in some localities for
weeks, after heavy rain. Now the
streets are dry shortly after the severest
rain storm.
1t is only Just that the money made here
should be invested here. Let our rich
men who are looking out for ways to use
their money simultaneously establish in
dustries that will afford employment for
our people. There are industries which
could he established here that would pay
handsomely if carefully and intelligently
managed. There is certainly no genuine
Savannahian who does not hope that the
Mayors suggestion will bear good fruit.