The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-17
HOW THEY WILL VOTE.
AN ALDERMANIC COUNT ON TIE
GROUND RENT QUESTION.

A Majority Of the Council Believed
TO be in Favor Of Assessing the
Property for Next Year-Both Sides
Claiming the Mayor IN Case of O lie
Vote-The 0round-Rsnters Prepar-
ing for Fight.
A canvass Of the city council on the
ground rent question shows 9 clear majority
in favor Of taxation. The matter will
come up Tuesday night, and the supporters
OF Alderman Falligsnt's resolution to assess
ths property under the corporation
attorneys opinion, count on eight votes
and possibly nine. They are relying on
Aldermen Cam, Falligant, Haines, Harris,
McDonough, Mills, Myers and Reid, and
possibly Alderman Bailey. making nine in
dermen Harmon, Nichols and Wells on the
other side.
1t is told Of wealthy real estate owner,
who Is the owner Of several ground rent
lots, that he called in friend to read one
or his indentures 70 show that the lot was
not taxable. After reading nearly through
the document he came across the language,
subject to the same assessments and
burthens as other lot holders in said city,
When be came to this clause he dropped the
question altogether. 9
THE ASSESSMENT CLAUSE
It is claimed by the ground renters who
oppose taxing the lots that the clause re-
ferred TO does not mean taxes, but the
other side insists that it means nothing
else.
It is claimed that by those opposing the
taxation that the ground rent lots are in
a m al in ,eI 49,,
Will mean political death to any member Of
council 70 vote 70 tax them. On the other
hand those who favor taxing the
property say that the greater part by far
OF ground rent property is owned by men
who have largely invested in that class of
property on account of city tax exemption,
and 1t Is claimed further that some ground
rent lot owners, seeing the injustice of this
tax exemption, favor assessing them for
municipal taxation.
A ground-renter said last night in dis
cusslng the matter that those who have de-
feated the assessment in the past have had
the city by the throat long enough and the
present council proposes to make them re-
lease the grasp.
A BROKERS' TRICK.
Alderman Falligant says that the brokers
in these lands are not disingenuous. but in
order TO deceive the people, in quoting from
the lot indentures they leave out the part that
does not suit them, as for instance, that
the use and occupation of the premises are
forever secured to the purchaser and Others
claiming under him, her or them, on pay
ment of the ground rent is quoted by
them, but they omit the concluding part Of
the sentence which reads until tie valua-
ton money is paid up," which Alderman
Falligant says, clearly shows that it Yves
not the intention to let the thing run on
forever, but that after a reasonable time
the balance OF the purchase money would
be paid: and the courts took this view and
taxed them for state and county purposes.
Alderman Harris thinks if the lots are
taxable that it is great injustice that they
should not be taxed. He is prepared to
vote to assess them for city taxation when
he is thoroughly satisfied they are taxable,
and under the opinion of the corporation
attorney he is inclined to think they should
be taxed. He wants to hear the matter
fully discussed, however, before expressing
positive opinion, and on doubtful points
which may arise he will expect to hear
further from the corporation attorney.
THE GRoUND RENTERS SIDE.
The ground renters are collecting data
for fight in the council, and they will be
reinforced by the opinions of their
counsel. 1t is understood that
Messrs. Wells aud Harmon will cham
pion the ground rent lot owners and
Messrs. Falligant and Cam will be the
leaders of the other side. If in case of a
tie the mayor should be called upon to vote
| it will be interesting to note how he votes,
as both sides claim him with confidence.
Those who favor taxation say that the vote
will not be so close, and the other side ad-
init that it may be a tie vote
The question is the talk Of the city, and
! those who have ground rent lots, and
are opposed TO taxing them are whetting
| their political knives in readiness for the
next municipal election.