The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-11
THE COUNIYS DRAINAGE
TIE DRAINAGE COMMISSIONS RI
PORT TO TIE GOVERNOR

| rated Through the State Approprie-
ton in 1S77-How the Appropriation
! Was Spent, and the Benefits That
Have Accrued From the Commits
sion's Work-The Area OF Waste
Land Reclaimed - The Decrease in
| Mortality Through the Improvement
of the Lands.
The drainage commission, having con-
cluded Its work, has made its final report to
| Gov. Gordon, and it will be forwarded to
Atlanta to-day.
The members Of the commission were APP
pointed under an act to provide for the drain
age Of Chatham county, and TO protect it
from epidemic and other diseases, approved
| by the legislature in February, 1877, and it
| is under the second section of the act that
the final report is submitted.
For the disposition made by the COM
mission Of the appropriation Of $27.692 70
voted by the state, the commissioners
refer to former reports. to which they also
refer as showing the method by which the
| commissioners have been governed in carry
ing out the aims which inspired the passage
Of the law:
THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION.
The commissioners say that the appro-
priation would of itself have been made
quate to effect the whole purpose of the
general assembly, as it would BE- difficult, if
not impossible, to fix limit for the Drain
age proposed but as far as the
appropriation would permit, the efforts
were primarily directed to Improvement of
the drainage of localities nearest Savannah
as most necessary to the health of the bulk
of the population of the county. This, they
say, was happily effected through the CO.
operation of the county commissioners, who
united in the plans and efforts Of the COM
mission, the operations in progress under
its direction having been extended and
pressed by the county commissioners.
THE RESULTS OF DRAINAGE.
AS result the commission reports that
the labor of the convicts was systematically
and effectively utilized. The canals and
drains excavated aggregate about 3415
miles IN length, and the land area reclaimed
comprises about $1,000 acres While the
commissioners say that this is only about
per cent. of the gross acreage of the
county, they add that the benefcial influ-
ences of the drainage, applied where the
4 most good could be soonest accomplished
for the greatest number have extended
over greater area, and it has become evi.
dent that the original appropriation by the
state has laid the foundation of a benefi-
cence of inestimable value.
The commissioners SHOW that the value
OF taxable property in the county, exclu-
| sve OF the city, in 1880, was but 81, l76, 7S4
and in 1888 it was 81, 36S, 545, or more than
double, and they say that while this notable
increase is in part due TO increase of popu-
lation and consequent demand for land and
prTr ft,pfc Of fha cOl f,,
be attributed to the improved healthfulness
Of the country and the enlarged area of
cultivatable land consequent upon the
system of public drainage
EFFECT UPON THE HEALTH.
The commissioners, to demonstrate the
conspicuous sanitary advantages which have
| accrued to the city population, commencing
| when the present system of drainage had
been but short time in progress, and end
ing when it is vet incomplete, and there
fore only partially effected, present a
mortuary report which shows that the
| annual rate of mortality has decreased
during the nine years cited, 1880 10 1888, in
elusive, from 20 3 per 1000 of the white to
| ll.A5. and from 5S6 per 1000 of the colored
population 10 2G6
| The average mortality per 1000 in this
period is put at Ii. 81 for the white, and A. z
for the colored population, but the commits
|
| sanitary benefits OF the country drainage
| improvements in the city have contributed
to The health of the city's population.
IMPROVED THE COUNTRY.
Extended sewerage and paving, the lib
eral uSs of purer water and careful santa
ton have been coadJutors of the external
| drainage system, but the miasmatic or
paludal fevers outside of the city have been
specially and conspicuously reduced. The
commissioners compare the mortality
from fevars in 1881 with that of 1883, and
show a decrease OF 81 per cent
in the total number of deaths from
this Ecause, as follows: 1881, 81 white and
40 colored died of fever, whereas in 1888
there were but % Whine and 50 colored, a
difference in favor of 1888 of 81 deaths less
than the year 1881.
The commissioners say that by the Judi
cious and liberal appropriation Y the state
the object has been virtually fulfilled of
protecting it from epidemics of
yellow fever and other diseases. and that
the act has laid such foundation Of sani-
tary protection about the principal port of
the state that it seems improbable that
yellow fever can invade the state through
Savannah.
PROTECTION AGAINST EPIDEMICS
The commissioners take the pains to say
that aside from the protectives against ma
larial diseases already established, or which
are beilg resolutely pressed to completion
by the county or city authorities, it is a
pregnant fact that this city mas suffered less
from yellow fever epidemlcs than any her
South Atlantic or Gulf port city, and in
fact less than any of the leading ports ex-
cept Boston and Providence, where cpl
denies of the kind have numbered four.
the same as at Savannah.
The commission expresses to the governor
the G attitude Of the people of Chatham
county for the benefaction receive ed from
the state at a time OF appalling calamity
and distress, from when happy results
have been derived.
The death of three of the original
members is noted: Ex-Chairmau DR..
j. G. Thomas, Gen. J. F. Gllmer and
County Commissioner Casey, to whom the
commission pays tribute for their prudent
counsels and Jealous efforts; and acknow WI
Judgments are made to T. NJ. Cunningham,
the treasurer, aud Frank E. Rebarer,
secretary of the commits lion.
The report is signed By Capt. john +.
Wheaton, Col John Sereyen and Hon. r.
+. Lester, and is attested by Frank E.
Rebarer.
DUNK CAUGHT IN BRUNSWICK.
The Fugitive Yamacraw Rough in Jail
in Glynn County.
| ttJoe DnDk u ho elxinnad Out IF Savap