The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-03
TIE PRENpRRGAsr TRACT.
Lawyer Preston Writes Conoernin

Lawyer Preston Writes Concerning
the Claims to the Property.
( SAVANNAH, Ca, Sept. 2.-Editor Morn
ino Nelcs The first thing wish to say is
that in your paper of Aug. 81 you have, no
doubt inadvertently, made number of
mistakes. A few days will suffice to correct
them, and will not, therefore, burden you
with them.
The second thing l wish to say is that
the claimants of the property 10 be sued for
are, and have been, poor. but honest people
and are bona fide claimants of this prop
erty. They may claim it OF people Just as
good and bona tide as they. 1t is, presuma-
bly, simply a question OF title between
honest people. 70 whom does this property
rightfully belongf is the question. If
10 my clients the law and honest
people will give it to them. II they are not
tbe rightful claimants they should not have
il. and the present occupants and claimants,
l presume. are in no danger. 1t will be an
issue between private individuals, and the
public will have nothing to do with it. 1t
is true that we claim certain property en-
braced in the lands sold to the city for
streets, avenues, ETC., and for military pa
rade grounds; but, in view Of the public
interests and the enhancement of this prop
erty by the enterprise of the city, and since
the parade grounds have been improved,
and are now beautiful and
plsasurable public property. we Shall
not sue for that, although having the sama
right to that as to any other land claimed
so. the whole matter is reduced to simple
question of title between my clients and a
number Of your citizens. There is, there
fore, not the slightest cause for any public
excitement over it, however much it may
be a matter of sympathy for your neigh
bors and fellow citizens. That same feeling
is entertained by the friends and neighbors
Of my clients.
You state in to-day's issue that Mr.. Prem
dergast's titles are absolutely i'm pregna-
ble.n Doubtless. he thinks so. Let him
wait awhile and perhaps that statement
will be verified; and, perhaps, not. You
also state that the majority Of the attorneys
of this place have passed upon the titles and
pronounce them good. How many have
not, and how many have refused to do so?
Do you know2 l know some who refused
and | know, furthermore, that one
of your most distinguished judges, in
the year 1S4S, at the time and
before the deed upon which your people
rely was made, advised and declared such a
deed to be illegal refer to Judge Robert
II. Charlton, whose letter have now in
my possession and will take pleasure in
showing to any one who may be inter-
ested. Perhaps he knew what he was do
ing land he was their attorney at tho time,
and perhaps he did not. We shall see.
/ write this because it seems that
bid is being made for public sympathy
through the press. Your paper cannot az
ford to take an &c parte view of this matter,
aud doubt not that you will not hesitate
10 give this statement publicity in your
columns. j. W. PRESTON
MIR. Preston fails to point out the errors
in the article i'll the MORNING NEWS and
overlooks the fact that the MORNING NEWS
has expressed no opinion as to the titles
to the property. 1t has simply given Mr..
Prendergast's statement