The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-06

Keep an Eye on the Public Squares.
Alderman Harmon. az chairman Of the
committee on streets and lanes, was COM
plimented by one of the other aldermen
at the council meeting on Wednes-
day night for the improvements he had
made in the parks and public squares.
There is no doubt that the parks and squares
present a much more attractive appearance
than they did a few years ago. A great
deal Of work has been done upon them, and
the people appreciate the change for the
better that has been made in them.
But tbs work that has been done should
be protected. The grass that has been
planted at considerable expense should not
be permitted TO be destroyed by thoughtless
persons. And gradually all the public
squares in the city should be improved, as
those on Bull street have been. IL the i'm
provements which the city makes are not
protected very soon the people will neglect
the grass plats in front OF their residences,
and the streets that are beginning to be
beautifed will have a shabby appearance
In some Of the squares that have been
improved paths have been worn diagonally
across the grass plats. There is no good reason
why the people should not be required to
confine themselves TO the walks, which are
kept in reasonably good order by the city.
If they refuse to do this let an ordinance
be passed inficting fine upon any one who
willfully mars the beauty of the squares.
And especial care should be taken to
beautify the middle ground in Liberty
street. That part of that street would soon
present very pretty appearance If walking
upon it were prohibited. Street cars should
not be permitted to let Off or take on pas
sengers except at crossings, and the cross
ing Of the street should be prohibited except
at crossings. The drivers of hacks that wait
in front Of the Liberty street door of the De
Soto hotel are rapidly destroying all the
grass In the middle ground in that locality.
Cannot these drivers be compelled to keep
off the grass9 There must be power enough
somewhere to make them do so. Let them
remain in their hacks or stand on the as
phalt pavement There is no excuse for
marring the beauty of the street. And
the hack drivers have worn bare spot In
johnson square, opposite the Screven house.
If the authorities would exercise a little au-
thority In this matter the reform suggested
would soon be brought about.
1t will soon BIO time to plant trees again
A great many ought to be planted. The ma
jority of them planted within the last year
or two appear to be dead. They should be re-
placed by others. 1t may be that the
reason so many of the trees that are planted
do not live is that they are not properly
planted. IL this is the reason the alderman
who has charge of the planting OF trees
should secure the services of some one who
has special knowledge and skill in planting
1t is evidently his desire to do all that can
be done to bsautify the city, and a great
deal can be done in that direction with
trees. 1t is question whether there ought
not to be tree planting commission, COM
posed of men who would make tree plant
ing study. There are citizens, doubtless,
who would give their attention to this
matter free of charge. The satisfaction of
having the right kind of trees planted,
having them properly planted and at a
ssasonable time. would be to them suffi-
Gent compensation. There should be, and
doubtless will be, great progress made in
Identifying the city within the next two
years.