The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-31
THE CITYS LAND TRADE.
THE SWAP OF THE SPRINGFIELD
PROPERTY CREATES A STR


prlss-A Difference Of Opinion as to
the Trade - The Water Committee
Asked to Defer its Contamination
Until the Next Meeting of Council
The Difference IN Values of the
Springfield and sheftell Tracts
Aldermen Cams and Meldrim's
Views.
The announcement in the MORNING
News yesterday that the city council had
snapped the Springfield plantation property,
that was supposed TO be the site o. the new
water works plant for the tract Of land q
third of a mile further west, known as the
Sheftan tract, and that this tract was to be
The site of the new water works plant, at
tracted great deal of attention.
The public was notaware Of any intention
on the part Of the council TO make tho swap.
Nothing mad been said about il at any of the
council meetings, and none of the council
men appear TO have spoken Of 1t outside Of
the caucus except with one another.
That was one of the reasons, perhaps,
why the matter attracted 80 much ntten-
ton, Another reason was that the popular
impression is that the Springfield PIanta-
ton property, which contains twelve acres,
% worth about $4,000 an acre, and the
nine acres received in exchange Tor 1t is not
thought TO be worth much more than $500
per acre. The latter tract was In the hands
Of real estate dealer and did not meet
with ready SALE 1t was withdrawn a
few days ago.
PETITION TO THE MAYOR
There were only seven members OF the
council present when it was decided TO
make the exchange, and one Of that num-
Der did not vote, for reasons which he gave.
Yesterday several of those Of the aldermen
who were not present at the meeting asked
Mayor McDonough to request the commit
tee on water works not to take any further
steps 10 the matter until the
next meeting of the council. Their
purpose is doubtless To have a more thor
ough discussion of the advantages OF each
Of the two tracts OF land. with she view Of
satisfying themselves whether it would not
be to the advantage Of the city to retain the
Springfield plantation property.
THE PROPOSED SITE.
The Sheftall tract Is 2. 200 feet west OF the
original site settled upon for the new water
works. 1t is slightly elevated above the
city lot, and has a hard clay subsoil. A
portion Of it is on Styles avenue, where the
new artesian well is being sunk, and where
all the other wells for tue new works will be
driven.
There are several old brick buildings and
an abandoned kiln Of the Savannah Brick
Company on the tract. These 60 with the
land, and 1t is estimated that ABOUT $1,000
worth OF brick will be secured from these
for the foundations Of the new works. The
pumping house OF the water works will be
built on that portion which was excavated
for clay by the brick company, thus saving
to the CITY the amount hich would have to
be expended for excavatlag at any other
place.
Alderman Cam, chairman OF the COM
mit5ee on water, was seen Yesterday by a
MORNING NEWS reporter, and was asked
as to the causes which led to the exchange.
He said the water committee was perfectly
willing to give the public all the facts cons
nected with the trade,
ALDERMAN CANN's SIDE OF IT,
During the administration Of Mayor
Schwarz," said Alderman Cam, "the lack
Of a proper water supply and dangers
attendant upon the present insufficient
supply were brought forcibly to to the at
teption Of council The committee on
water at that time, the present mayor being
its chairman, after consulting expert ad-
vice formulated a plan looking 60 the
erection Of new works upon the Springfield
plantation, at or near the artesan we'll.
This report was considered by council, and
the committee, by resolution, was author
lied to proceed with the construction Of
new works.
"Thsra being no appropriation in the
budget for the works last year no definite
steps were taken until the present admins
Lration came into office in January last.
Being made chairman Of the water commit
tee, IL was one Of my first acts to begin a
careful Investigation into the whole water
situation. 1t was not necessary TO go far to
become satisfied that prompt and positive
steps were necessary to place that impor-
tant matter in proper shape. BY authority
of the committee the services of MIR. T. T.
Johnston of Chicago, who comes highly
recommended, were engaged as consulting
engineer. After his arrival here the whole
subject Of water supply was gone over by
Mr. Johnston with the committee, aud
every objection that could be Thought OF
was put before him, and to the satisfaction
OF the committee we're met. Finally the
recommendation Of Mr.. Johnston as to the
location of the works, manner Of arrange
meut and method of construction was unau-
tmously adopted by the committee, aud
plans and specifications in accordance there
with are now being prepared in Chicago.
THE TRADE OF SITES.
'Now to the point as to the land trade
Under the advice Of Mr.. Johnston and in the
opinion of toe committee it was deemec
desirable to change the location from the
vicinity Of the present well on Springfield
plantation, to point at or near the juno
zion of Styles avenue and Gwinnett street
With this object in view options were OBJ
tanned on the following properties: Lot
81, So and SO, Springfield plantation, con-
tanning thirty-one acres, mostly
bottom land, at $3.50 per acre
lots 103 and l04, Springfield plantation, th
number of acres not stated, TO
$4,000, or that portion of lot 1903 north o
Waldburg street extended, for SIS 900; tn
western portions Of lot 80, 100 and 101
Springfield plantation, containing twelv
and quarter acres, for $4,000. The latte
property does not touch Gwinnett street a
all, and consequently could not be consid
cred. The other locations were duly an
carefully considered by the committee.
FAVORED THE NEW SITE.
''Mr. Johnston and the superintendent O
the water works both strongly favored th
location covered by that portion of lots 81
IS and 50, Springfield plantation, lynn
west of the Springfield canal, aud thei
Judgment was confirmed by the committe
unanimously. The matter OF an exchang
was then, for the first time, brought Ut
The two properties were looked over.
as chairman, was authorized to clos
trade with the owners of that portion O
lots So, So and SO desired upon such terms @
might consider proper. Under such au
thoriry the properties we're surveyed. Tn