The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-04-03
THE GROUND RENT FIGHT.
The Ground Renters Getting in shape
to Push Their Case.

Ane OrOuno renters Getting in Shape
TO Push Their Case.
A large number Of ground rent owners
attended the meeting at Catholic Library
hall last night to discuss the means of re-
sisting payment Of the tax on ground rent
lots. Among those present we're
ex-Alderman Wells, c. VI. Gilbert. ]. G.
naas. Lee Roy Myers, D. Y. Dancv, Col.
william Rogers, Jonn Lynch, A. H nley,
u. u. Purse, L. Lippma1, A. Letter, s.
Cohen, A. X. Delaney II. Hyams. b. II.
Levy, j. Rauers, A. r. Fawcett. Robert
Mcintyre, a. Mohr, Thomas Daniels. NJ.
Sullivan. I. 81. Rosonfeld, G. a. Hudson,
Col. Reilly, John e. Rowland and Waring
Russell.
Each person present was furnished list
and slip for signatures. of which the follow
ing is copy:
attention, Ground Rent Holders.
DEAR SIR-If you desire TO defend your rights
and hold your city lots under the terms of the
contract VITA the city, the same as has been
acted upon for 100 years, you will please sign
and return the attached a yreement to anvDne
OF the undersigned COMMITTEES. Ii you prefer
to make your lot fee simple, you will excuse
TINS request; Chairman, b. G; Parse; l. Lpp-
man, ID. Wells. /. g. Haas, William Kehoe S.
Cohen, c. NJ. Gilbert, Robert McIntyre, A. r.
Fawcett, j. j. Dale, II. Blum, and D. Y. Dancy
secretary.
The following is copy of the slips to be
signed:
STATE OF GEORGIA,
SAVANNAH, CHATHAM COUNTY
agree to unite with the other holders of CITY
lots in Savannah in resisting, by all lawful
means. any attempt by the mayor and alder
men 10 ENFORCE the levy or collection of taxes
on city lots. | promise to contribute pro rata
to the expenses incurred and to be incurred in
resisting the levy and collection of such tax, a
contribution not to exceed one-halt of 1 per
fhar aIt,a - t.e- 4,
me. present the following city lots as now
assessed by the city authorities.
The name of the owner of the lot is
given, the number of the lot, ward, and
assessed valuation.
Nearly all of those present signed the lists.
Mr.. Haas announced that a committee of
seven had been appointed at previous
meeting and majority and minority re-
port was returned. The majority report
favored fighting the case, while the
minority considered that a settlement
should be effected with the city at 80 cents
on the dollar; that is, the remainder of the
purchase money should be paid up with
reasonable time for the payments.
The report of the majority was receivsd
and adopted unanimously.
Mr.. Haas also announced that the general
committee appointed by him to look into
the matter would report
Capt. Purse, chairman of that COMMITTEES,
stated that under the authority given the
committee had employed j. r. Saussy,
Esq, to represent the ground rent owners.
He stated that 5000 would have to be
raised, if the case is brought, on a tax from
each member of one-half of per cent. He
stated further that friendly feeling ex-
listed between the ground rent owners and
the city, and in resisting the city's attempt
to collect the tax 1t was not malicious
effort. He said that from 1906, the date of
the first tax assessment, until 1878, ground
rent lots enjoyed absolute immunity from
taxation. This was the contract.
Alderman Wells stated that the meeting
was for the purpose of becoming more
acquainted with the matter 1t is a COM
mon case, he said, and if the ground rent
lot owners go into it to fight they should
fight well. He advised all those who we're
paying taxes 10 pay their ground rent just
as they have been doing heretofore After
some discussion as to the manner of resist
ing the collection of the tax the meeting
adjourned.
Quite a number of the ground renters are
paying up the balance of the purchase
money on their lots and getting fee simple
titles. 1t is said that on day before yester-
day the payments of this character aggre-
gated $4,000.