The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-24
MACHEN AND HIS ISLAND
TIE VISITORS CIRCLE IT ON A
STEAM LAUNCH.

other Chance at It-An Alderman
Reviews the Action of Council enc
Says it Has Builoed Wisely for Sc
vannah's Prosperity - Col Macher
and His Friends Hopelessly Com
mitted to Savannah as the Terminus
of the Middle Georgia and Atlantic
Departure Of the Visitors Last Night
Col E. C. Machen and his northern
friends. with the exception Of Dir. Watson
left last night for their respective homes
but Col. Machen, before leaving, said be
will be back again soon, and on his return
he hopes to perfect all arrangements for
securing water frontage on Hutchinson
Island.
COL MACHEN ELATED.
Col. Machen was asked by MORNING
News reporter. if, as result OF yesterday
stay in the city, negotiations had not
opened between the projectors Of the Mid
die Georgia and Atlantic, 70 pool with one
of the new roads coming into this city.
Col. Machen replied: II don't want to be
questioned too closely in that direction
We don't want 70 be considered mysterious
about our movements, but really DO not
want to be drawn out on this subject. L
can only say at this time that something Is
likely 70 happen which will be highly salts
factory to the people Of Savannah, but full
deyelopments need not be expected now"
"Will your company accept the PROPOSE
ton of the city councilF Col Machen was
asked
ayes. think we will. All that hinges
now Is the water frontage. The city does
not own that, and of course we muse first
provide for water frontage before finally
island IF not driven
away by fictitious valuation Of property
we will not be long in closing with the city
and going to work with a zeal and earnest
ness that will surprise you people. We are
pleased with the island property. Onr party
went all around the island to-day and viewed
il from all Sides 1t will answer our pur-
pose, and 1t can be made valuable addl-
ton to the city, as not only our railroad
buildings will add largely to the taxable
property OF the city but the home of hun
dreds of employees will no doubt change the
present condition OF the island to busy
hive of people.
THE VISITORS SURPRISED.
1.-THE expectations of the gentlemen who
accompany me have been many times sur
passed. They had no expectation OF finding
such city here and one Of such vast COM
mercial aud industrial Importance. They
did not expect to be received with such
hospitality, nor did they have an idea that
they would find the people so much in
terested in the new road The advantages
and inducements offered have been greater
than they expected, and they do not hesitate
60 say 80.
THE road will be built. There is no
doubt about that, and it will be built soon.
There is one question that this line will
forever settle and that is the question of
what will be the shortest line from Atlanta
90, h. a,1
lantic air line to Savannah will undoubt-
edly be the shortest possible route from
Atlanta TO the seaboard.
Having once secured this road Savan-
nah will have no reason to fear injury by
the building of lines to rival seaports.
A MAGNIFICENT OFFER
Savannah has done well by us, but the
city eau afford to make some sacrifices to
secure such an advantage over her rivals as
this road will give it. The city can afford
TO be liberal.
THE city's offer is magnificent one and
will no doubt be accepted. We must get
the desired river frontage on the south side
of the island, and it may take some time
yet"
THE MACON AND ATLANTIC's MISTAKE.
Said one of the most conservative mem
bers of the board of aldermen to MORNING
NEWS reporter last night: "The press does
not appear to have fully comprehended the
situation, aDd while we have no occasion to
ind fault with the suggestion thrown out
by the MORNING NEWS yesterday there is
no reason why it should longer be kept
secret that the Macon and Atlantic did not
want Hutchinson Island. am inclined to
think that since the action of the city coun-
Gil last night they feel chagrIned, and
even troubled, at their shortsightedness.
That they would take it now if they could
get it entertain no doubt.
Some may say we gave the Middle
Georgia and Atlantic too much. A little
reflection will show that we did not. Hutch
inson Island was not bought by the city for
speculative, but sanitary purposes. The
city wanted to redeem 1t from tidewater
rice culture, and, by dry culture, get rid of
the malarial influences. While we rent it
out for dry culture we get but a trifie for it,
not one-tw entieth what it costs US to keep it
In sanitary condition, and the banks and
flood gates in repair. Now, we not only
obviate this expense, but the improvements
placed on the island will swell the tax dupli-
cate beyond the estimate OF the most
visionary
WHAT TERMINALS COST.
''Do you know continued the alderman.
what the Central has spent on it's terminal
property? 1t will, no doubt, surprise a great
A'oJOAAsJ "a POOpAt w aCoA u ehhs Az Aoo Ca
pended 81 SOC. 900, and is continually improv-
ing and enlarging its terminal properties.
When other South Atlantic seaports are
making strenuous efforts to direct railroads
their way. Savannah cannot afford to be
pennywise and pound foolish. II can bet
ter afford to be thought by a few TO be
overgenerous than to be lacking in
a spirit of liberality. We have offered a
property from which we derive no revenue,
and which is standing expense to the city.
to a projected railroad which will develop
the property and give Savannah an indie
pendent and short line to an interior rail-
road center, and, for my part, I think we
have acted wisely, and results will estab-
lsh the wisdom of our action. What we
have done is to advance the material pro-
gress and prosperity Of Savannah, and both
the city and the Middle Georgia and At
lantic have bargain. From a financial
standpoint, from a sanitary view, and the
broader results which will flow from bring
ing another railroad to Savannah, the work
of the city council last night will challenge
popular favor aud public commentator. u
Mr.. Emile Newman, associate counsel
for the company says, that he doesn't think
there will be any trouble in securing all the
river frontage needed on the south side of
the island
MIR. j. p. Watson is the senior member
OF the visiting party. and also a pioneer
in the enterprise. He came south siz
weeks ago, and spent the time in the
state, quietly surveying the field and exam