Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-11
TO INSPECT THE HOUSES
gu rHOBiTtt5S LOOKING AFTER
THE PEOPLES SAFETY.

The A cling Mayor Orders an lpspt rti"H
IF All Buildings Damaged by the
Earthquake 49, Tho city surveyor
Charged with the Duty--TentS in tho
streets and squsres Must Come Down
--1uother Warning from the Doctors
Cltv Surveyor Howard will receive in
structions to-day from Acting Mayor
Duncan TO make thorough inspection oil
all houses in the city that were in any
way damaged by the earthquake. me
purpose of the inspection is to ascertain
whether the walls OF houses that were
cracked are safe aud to find out what
damage was done. Quite number OF
houses have already been condemned, and
the occupants have moved out OF them.
There are not very many, however, that
are so badly cracked that they canuot be
easily repaired.
AMONG THE ARCHITECTS.
INQUIRY was made among the architects
20 ascertain if they have been called upon
10 inspect many houses. None have been
called upon Tor that purpose and they DO
not think there is great deal OF damage
10 buildings other than to chtmneys and
plastering. The earthquake was not OF
sufficient duration 10 render the walls of
people have moved out OF their houses be-
cause they saw crack in the plastering
and camped in the streets and squares,
incurrIng far greater risk from sickness
than they would from falling houses by
staying indoors.
lQUTrTING THE TENTS.
The threatening weather of the past day
or two and a return of confidence among
people VINO have been afraid to sleep in
their houses, fearing recurrence of the
earthquake, has sent most OF those who
camped in the squares last week back
Into their houses. A few of the more
timid were still in tents last night. Those
who leave their houses and stay out of
doors do it at the risk of their lives, Sick
ness is almost the inevitable result.
THE CITY ORDINANCES.
The physicians OF the city have repeat
eddy warned the public, but their warn
6ngs have not been needed. The erection
Of tents without II permit from The city
authorities is a violation OF the city OTdt-
nances. An ordnance passed Aug. 10,
1889, reads
Nor shall any person, without previously
pbaining the written consent of the Mayor
Ind two-tHlrds Of the members OF the City
Council. place, erect or construct, or cause to
he riace'i, erected or CONTRACTED IN any
square, street or lane. or Their place of or in
the city OF Savannah, any boo h, tent or other
obstruction"
GO INTO THE HOUSES.
This means that people wifi no longer
be allowed 10 erect tents in The streets or
squares. and, OF course, means that the
tents already erected will have to be
moved at once.
In enforcing this ordinance, Acting
Mayor Duncan Is influenced solely by
what he considers best for the public
good. The people, he SAYS, are running
Infinitely more risk by exposure to the
night air than from any danger TO be APP
pretended from the earthquake. There
has already been one death, that of Mr..
w. 2. Wells, who died at the hospital
yesterday, and the physicians report uu-
meTOus cases OF sickness due solely to the
same cause. OF course, further xposure
would only swell the already large list,
and it is only to avoid this that the ordi-
nance will be enforced.
The Mayor expresses the wish that the
people will look upon this IN the right
light, and not consider IL in any way
harsh or arbitrary proceeding, but
measure adopted solely for the public
pOOd