The morning news., 1889-05-18

OLD RATES.

Under the old rates the hotels we're
charged 81 for each bed for boarders and
Iodgers and s5 for each tub exceeding one.
Under the new rules hotels, Including all
nsps of water, are to be charged 81 Is per
room for fifty rooms or less, and for over
fifty rooms 50 so per room, whether the
rooms are occupied or not. There is also
a material increase in the rates for livery
and private stables
The cost of sprinkling in front of private
lots is not only increased, but the diameter
of the hose is reduced from IS of an inch to
8I of an inch. No one is to be permitted TO
snriukle beyond the middle of street,
and the price is fixed at So per annum on a
limit of thirty feet frontage, 81 90 for sixty
feet frontage, and cents per foot addi-
tional for all over sixty feet frontage.
The hand laundries are taxed SIS each
and steam laundriss but $25. For the use
of water to extinguish fire, whom it is not
used for other purposes, 500 is charged. In
stores, shops and offices hydrantS, wash
basins. water closets and bath tubs are
taxed 81 80 each.
The ordinance fixing the rates is lengthy,
and will require much study to figure out
the increase in general over the present
rates. 1t is understood that this will be-
done, however. by those who think the pro-
posed rates are excessive, and the council
brought face to face with the difference in
Alderman Falligant has explained his
views more fully in relation to the financial
scheme involved in the water and house
drainage problems, especially as to the con-
stitutional questions of municipal debts and
their relation to taxable property as affect
ing his propositions, In an interview yes
terday he said:
'Ine constitutional inhibition regarding
municipal debts applies to obligations based
upon and deriving their security from tho
taxable resources of the city. l am as firm
in sustaining this view and protecting the
interests of those whose moneys have been
invested in our municipal bonds as | am in
denying their right to claim more than the
security thus pledged 1t is not to the in
terest of the bendholder to interfere with
any measure securing the growth, health
and prosperity of the city, since
whatever increase takes place in material
development renders all the more certain
and secure the bonds already in existence
the security of which is all the more en-
hanced by increased taxable properties.
The bondholder possesses now his pound of
flesh so thoroughly salted and preserved as
to tie our hands for years to come against
any increase in Obligations based upon
our taxable resources thus pledged to
him in security; but if he should
unWisely demand Herewith the
blood also by denying to us the only means
left us to preserve onr health and lives, a
good water supply and good house drain
age, then Ishould say to him unhesitatingly;
Hands off You've got our property
bound tight enough already; but our lives
are our own, with the rigkt to use all
proper means to preserve them.'g The
method of doing this is simple enough. If
the bonds cannot be issued in the name of
the mayor and aldermen Of the city
Of Savannah, then let us have
special enactment by the legis-
atufe creating board of COM
missloners on water supply and drainage,
who shall have full power to establish these
systems and collect TIE revenues therefrom
applying these revenues to the payment
of all necessary expenses and the reduction
Of the debt by sinking funds. The bonds
can be issued by such board and be secured
in their principal and interest with the
revenues from these sonrces-the bonds
being first mortgage upon these works,
and their full value being as absolutely
secured thereby as by any means by which
they can be rendered secure.
The form and details of an enactment
Of this kind will require careful study; but
the property owners, who have to fooS the
blls, ought to have special controlling
voice in the selection of such commissioners,
perhaps by direct vote of such property
owners themselves
1T will be a good thing for Savannah
when these important measures are taken
out Of the domain Of politics. When great
works of this kind are left to the accident
OF the fitness or unfitness of controlling iu-
nuences selected for political reasons alene.
as is often the case, there is no wonder that
we are disappointed in the result Of our
Undertakings. business is business is no
less true in municipal management than in
Individual affairs and the sooner the prin-
telPle Is fully recognized aRd acted upon the
better for our welfare.n
II Is claimed that the water works CON-
mlttee wants to derive revenue from the
water works beyond the inclination of the
consumers to pay, and those who oppose
the increase say the committee must devise
some less burdensome plal to increase the
lund, as the restrictions are extreme and
tne present rates high eiough. The pro-
posed rates are likely to be antagonized
Nneh they come up foradoption, as they
HSye not met with gensral favor by the
water