The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-28
TWO HOURS IN COUNCIL.
THE EXEMPTION OF SCHOOL
PROPERTY FROM TAXATION.

shall Wade.
The city council held two-hour session
hast night.
The only matter in the regular order Of
business which provoked discussion was the
resolution offered by the finance committee
to exempt the lots of the board of education
on Henry street from all taxes which had
been charged against them
Alderman Cam opposed the resolution on
the ground that it was setting bad prece-
dent. After awhile military companies
and other societies would be claiming the
same right. Alderman Cam said under
such action these organizations could go
around buying up property all over the city
and claim exemption. He didn't believe in
allowing the board of education or any
organization to buy up property and hold it
unused for an indefinite length of time with
out paying taxes.
Alderman Bailey followed Alderman
Cam. He opposed the resolution in COM
mittee on exactly the same grounds, and
only gave his consent after City Attorney
Adams had given his opinion that the prop
erty in question was exempt under the
state Law.
ALDERMAN CARsoN'S VIEWS
Alderman Carson denied that a military
company was exempted from paying taxes
on unused property. Only the armories
occupied by them, he said, were exempted,
and every other piece Of property owned by
them will be found on the tax digest. He
considered the board of education
property to be special case.
The beard has never used the property
for any other purpose than that for which
it was purchased, and the board is now
about to erect school buildings on the lots.
ola Aka&
companies and other exempted organiza-
tons could claim special casesn as well as
the board OF education. He warned the
council that it was setting a precedent
which will probably cause trouble in the
future.
Alderman Bailey asked If the Guards
ever paid taxes on the old jail lots. The
city marshal was unable to tell him. He
said no execution against the corps had
ever been placed in his hands.
Several other aldermen took part In the
discussion, and the question was finally dis
posed of the passage Of the resolution.
NO MONEY FOR THE CoLoRED COLLEGE.
The committee on finance, to which was
referred at the last meeting the
petition Of colored citizens asking for
an appropriation from the city for the col
ored college, reported adversely. The COM
mittee, while recognizing the good results
establishment Of such an institution in this
vicinity, reported that the council had no
power to dispose OF the city's funds in the
manner petitioned for.
A petition was read from the Savannah
Street and Rural Resort Railroad Company,
asking for the revoking of section of the
grant to use certain streets, and offering
consideration of 1000 to the city. The
section reads as follows: SHOULD the city Of
Savannah grant permission to another rail-
road company to use Montgomery street
the petitioner will, when thereto directed by
council, abandon and take up its tracks on
Montgomery street south of Jones street, or
viii dispose of said tracks south of Jones
street to such other company" The petition
was referred to the committee Of the whole.
CHANGE IN THE FIRE ORDINANCE.
The committee on fire offered an ordi-
nance, which was read a first and second
time and passed. The ordinance is an
amendment to section SAT Of MacDonell,s
Code, and permits the owners of wooden
buildings within the fire limits to add to
and otherwise improve them. 1t provides
that the buildings must not be elevated to
greater hight than thirty feet, and the
house be not increased exceeding 225 square
feet.
Alderman Bailey offered an ordinance.
providing that all houses that have been, or
shall hereafter be erected in the corporate
limits OF the city must be covered with
slate, tile tin, or other incombustible mate
rial. Any one who shall allow their Drop
ertY to remain in whole or part uncovered
with iucombustible material for thirty days
after being notified by any of the city Off
GERS, or fire department, shall be fined in a
sum not exceeding 300, and shall be subject
to like fine for every thirty days after
ward that the place is allowed to remain
uncovered The ordinance went over until
next meeting.
GOING FOR "BILLY" AGAIN.
After all the business bad been transacted
and council was about to adjourn Alder
man Bailey stated that City Marshal Wade
desired TO say something to the board on
very important matter. 1t was about the
festive goat. Complaints said Marshal
me every day about the depreda-
lions committed by goats. The animals
are running the South Broad and Liberty
street greens and destroying private gar
deus. They have gone SO far as to poke
their noses through the barbed wire fence
around the Telfair hospital and practically
destroyed the shrubbery."
Alderman Carson inquired IL the goats
had also eaten the barbed wire. This caused
considerable laughter, and Marshal Wade
answered that. though the goats hadn't
devoured the wire, it was no jesting matter.
A SUGGESTION TO MARSHAL WADE.
Alderman Cam suggested that Marshal
Wade might make a very good thing by
impounding the depredating goats. The
ordinance provides shat the officer impound-
ing the animals shall get one-half Of the
forfeit money, and it struck the alderman
that as Marshal Wade knew where
to md goats he was missing
a good thing and considerable money by not
exercising bis authority. Alderman Cam
inquired if the marshal hadn't the same
power as q policeman, and City Attorney
Adams replied that he had undoubtedly
the right to catch goats and impound them.
Alderman Cam informed Marshal Wade
that Alderman Bailey could post him on
the haunts of the goats, as be was a gentle
man who had given the subject considerable
study and was well posted on their move
ments.
A LAUGH ON ALDERMAN BAILEY
This last sally caused much merriment at
Alderman Bailey's expense. Alderman
Meldrim suggested that people shoot the
goats when they trespassed.
when you shoot goat you're bound to
get in a row. replied Marshal Wade.
Alderman Harmon objected to shooting
goats, as he considered them property, and
no one had the right to destroy another's
properly.
Alderman Carson held en- opposite view
to Alderman Harmon on the goat property