The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-21
"BILLY's" TIME HAS COME.
Alderman Bailey's Remedy for the
Goat Nuisance

Alderman B9ueys Kennedy Tor the
Goat Nuisance.
Alderman Bailey has taken the initial
step toward the solution Of the goat prob
lem, which has become in many respects q
very serious one. BE has an ordinance
before the city council providing for the
payment by the city of a reward Of 50
cents for every goat found loose In the
streets and delivered TO the city pound
The present ordinance prescribes a for
fixture Of g for every goat allowed loose in
the Streets TO be collected from the owner.
This ordinance makes the police the off,
cial goat catchers, and provides that when
ever they find any goats loose in the
streets they shall impOund them until the
fine and costs Of imponnding have been
paid. IL the animals are not claimed
within three days, the ordinance provides
that the city marshal. after three days ad-
vertiEement in the newspaper
shall sell them and turn the
proceeds, after deductlng the expenses Of the
sale, into the city treasury, to be paid back
to the owners OF the animal, less the ex-
penses and the forfeiture, one-half Of which
goes to the officer who runs In the goat.
The ordinance authorizes also any one
whose property is damaged or destroyed by
goats to kill the animals, and whenever
they damage or destroy trees or any city
property the police are authorized to kill
them.
This ordinance, which was passed In 1857.
has been imperative for many years IL il
was ever enforced. A number of years
ago, when the goats overran the eastern
part or the city, Gen. Anderson instructed
the police to raid the animals and bring
them into the pound. The police attempted to
carry out their instructions, but they were
booted at and dubbed and brickbatted by
the women Of the Old Fort district, and were
subjected to all sorts of intolerable abuse
which they could not resent without Great
ing riot, so that Gen. Anderson ordered
the men TO deSist in tue enforcement Of the
ordinance, and since then the goat has been
privileged character. He has had things his
own way, not only in the Old Fort, but he
has run wild all over the city, gnawing
whatever came in his way, climbing fences
into gardens and up front steps, INDUCING
MS appetite on anything that took his fancy,
doing no end of damage
City Marshal: Wade says that since he
has been connected with the marshal's Office
only one goat has been in the pound, and
when 1t came to the sale there were no
buyers and Billy had to be turned loose.
Alderman Bailey's ordinance providing a
reward for every goat found loose in the
streets Will make goat catching a
profitable business and will tend to
lessen the number of gray-bearied old
"Billys" and their relatives, who have
made grazing ground of Savannah since
Tomoch chi's time, and relieves the police
from the dangers of attempting to enforce
an ordinance which might result in a riot.
A clause might be added to Alderman
Bailey's ordinance providing that i'm
pounded goats "be disposed Of by the most
expeditions method, !" as In the dog law, If
they are not redeemed or sold within three
DAYS.
The necessity has arisen for some law
against the all-devouring beast, and Alder
man Bailey has risked his chances for re-
election to protect the public.