The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-11


The suggestion of the MORNING NEWS
that the fence around johnson square be
removed appears to be very generally APP
proved. The city authorities, it is said, also
agree that the suggestion is good one, but
they hesitate 10 act upon it because Of the
expense Of putting a stone curbing around
the square.
But if it is agreed that the fence ought to
be removed now is the time TO remove it
while a third of it is down. Its removal
will not be the destruction of an old land
mark. There are those now liv-
ing who remember when the square
was an omen common with
a thoroughfare for vehicles through it. A
Stat fence was first placed around it, and
about 1852 it was enclosed with the present
iron fence. There were iron gates at the
different entrances, but the noise they made
day and night in closing created senti-
ment against them. It took two years OF
pretty constant agitation, however, to get
them removed, because of the fear
that without them the square
would become a grazing place for
the cows and goats which then had the run
extent now. The gates are accommodating
rust in the area beneath the windows of the
City Council chamber They have been
there good many years and are
likely to be there good many
more unless some enterprising
Alderman insists that they shall be sold for
old iron, and the proceeds applied to some
public improvement And why shouldn't
the entire fence be sold for old ironI
Wouldn't it bring enough to meet the ex-
pense of putting a stone curbing around the
square, Let the fence be appraised and an
estimate of the cost of the curbing be OBJ
tanned, so that it may be seen whether or
not the actual outlay for the suggested inn
provement will be greater than the city can
stand at this time.
But if il is not deemed advisable to make
the suggested improvement now. let it be I'M
derstood that il will be made next year and
in pursuance of that understanding let the
remainder of the fence be taken down and
all of it sold What is the sense of spend
ing money in putting up the part that has
already been taken down if there is a fair
probability that the entire fence will be re-
moved in the near futurel
Not very long ago there was fire engine
house located on the square and there was
opposition to its removal. If it were there
now there are those probably who would
say it ought to stay there. There are
always kickers whatever the improvement
proposed may be, and strange to say the
kickers are the ones who do the most
grumblng when they see other cities with
less advantages making more progress than
| their own.
Another improvement in the square has
been suggested. 1t is that after the
fences have been removed the walks shall
be arranged like those in Chippewa square,
so that there shall be no occasion for max
ing 'shoIt cuts" across the grass plots. 1t
might be good idea to pave the walks
with asphalt. The fiag-stones, with which
they are paved at present, could readily
be used to advantage elsewhere And as it
is proposed to pave Bull street from the
square TO State street with asphalt, why
not pave the same street with asphalt from
the square to Bay street, so that
Bull street on both sides of the square will
be paved There are good many improve
ments which the city authorities might
make in and about Johnson square that
would be highly appreciated by the public,
and which would encourage the making of
| other itnnrovenents