The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-20
THE CHRISTMAS noNFIRRs.
Mayor McDonough Decides to Allow
Them in tho Squares.


Savannah's small boys are preparing for
their usual pyrotechnic celebration of
Christmas by laying up quantities Of fire.
works and gathering up empty barrels for
the annual bonfires.
The Christmas season always makes glad
the heart of the Savannah youth, because
at that time he can let his feelings of joy
have full vent in the explosion of the fire.
cracker, torpedo, rocket and roman candle
and the burning Of the barrels and boxes
gathered months ahead.
While many people look upon the using
of fireworks as SO much money burned, the
cost to the small boy is only a secondary
consideration beside the fun and pleasure
which he derives from it.
The "crack" and pop" OF the fireworks
are music to the soul OF Young America,
while the blaze of the bonfire is a delight to
his eyes. Without these adjuncts, which
are time-honored in Savannah, Christmas
would be barren and unimportant holiday
to the youth.
1t was thought by some that the ordi-
nance prohibiting trespassink on the grass
plats Of the squares would prevent bonfires
during the holidays, but such Is not the
case. Mayor McDonough told MORNING
News reporter yesterday that he is satisfied
that there was no intention on the part Of
Alderman Bailey, in introducing his grass
plat ordinance, to prevent the boys from
using the squares at Christmas for the pur.
pose of bonfircs. and therefore the ordi.
nance will not be enforced during the holi-
days as far as it concerns the use of the
plats by the boys for their Christmas illumi-
nations
No fireworks or bontires, of course, will
be allowed north Of Liberty street, and
Mayor McDonough will issue his proclama-
ton on the subject Tuesday. The ordinance
ia as follows: sit shall NOT be lawful for
any person to fire or set of any sky-rocket.
wheel rocket, roman candle, serpent, fire.
crackers, or other fireworks, or other article
or thing containing gunpowder, fulminat-
ing powder or other explosive, or detonat-
ing substance within the corporate
limits OF the city of Savannah.
EXCEPT within the inclosure known as
the extension Of Forsyth place and in the
public squares south Of Liberty street, and
there only during Ave days before and ten
DAYS after Christmas day aud July 4, in-
Guiding Christmas day and July In each
and every year."
The penalty for violation of the ordinance
| IA a fine not exceeding 500 or imprison-
ment not exceeding thirty days, either or
| both in the discretion OF the court. mayor
| Marlborough SAID ne lnLouua W hoFo WIG
| ordinance strictly enforced, and special
orders will be issued 70 the police on the
subject In day or two. The mayor also
! intends to severely punish any one VINO
| violates the ordinance.
| There is desire among people VINO nave
taken an interest in the improvements OF
the squares and grass plats TO have them
| kent in good condition. II bonfires are at
| lowed on the grass plats, even though IL
he In one section Of each square, 20
which Mayor McDonough says the
bovs must confine their lluminatlons,
the grass will be destroyed, the squares wiii
be Uttered and the money spent In their I'M
| provement will have been lost Ihere Is q
| feeling. now that the city has undertaken 70
keep the squares in better condition, tha'
| bonfires should not be allowed IN tnem.
| There is room enough in the Park extension
for the illuminatiops ,....,.
A correspondent inquiries "ff It'll not time
| that stop is put 20 setting OF fireworks
| and making bonfires IN the squares south OF
Iiberty streetr He says "he knows IL wiz
ha said that it will be depriving boys OF
thar time-houored privileges 70 preven'
| them from dis6guring the squares ana en-
dangsring property. but have NOT tns ooys
living north Oh Liberty street been for year,
| nrohihlted from using the squares III .uel.
| paighborhoods for such purposes ~Isnou ~
..sasarisl AMMUNITION Of the fun they nave 10
naIshrating a Christian festival 10 9
heathenish MANNER