The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-07
TOPROTECT THE SQUARES
TIE CITY DECIDES NOT TO ALLOW
DOUBLE TRACES IN THEM.

Can Take Action-A Lively Fight
over the Proposition to Permit the
Work to Go Ahead-The Whole Mat
ter Goes over Until the Next Meet
ing of Council.
An adjourned meeting Of the city council
was held last night in the executive cham
Der Of the exchange ostensibly for the pur-
pose of hearing appeals, but as the demi-
monde were not ready to 20 to trial, and
Mayor McDonough asked the dismissal OF
the case against Herman Miller for VIOLA
ton Of the Sunday law because Of certain
facts which had como to his notice since che
police court trial as to the veracity Of the
witness for the prosecution, nothing was
done in that direction.
The double tracking of the Aberoorn
street squares by the City and Suburban
railway was taken up. and made the sessto n
q lively one. President Johnston, of the
City and Suburban railway was pres
ent with his attorney, NJ. A. O'Byrne, Esq
Mayor McDonough said he had issued an
order to stop the work because he discovered
that the City and Suburban was not com
plying with the conditions imposed upon it
by the council The resolution granting
the privilege Of double tracking the squares
specified that the line should be
=
under the direction of the street
and lane committee and that the author
titles OF the railway should sign certain
agreements before beginning work.
Neither conditions had been complied with
and be felt it his duty as mayor to step in
and prevent the violation of the law.
DIDN'T INTEND ANY VIOLATION.
Capt. Johnston said he didn't intend any
violation of law in starting the work. He
kh..y 49, he ~ ma
last meeting OF council gave him the right
TO 60 ahead, and he was anxious to get the
tracks down as soon as possible.
Alderman Haines wanted to know why
the work was done at night instead Of in
day light.
at was started at 5 o'clock in the MORN
auR." replied Capt. Johnston.
Wasn't it 4 o'clockP' asked the alder
man.
Capt. Johnston intended denial to this
and also to Alderman Haines query II the
laying of the track was not almost complete
by daylight.
"Weu.n continued Alderman Haines.
''one Of your men is reported as saying that
If be had an hour more it would have been
completed"
Capt. Johnston said It couldn't have been
done, and added that as he heard IT init
mated that an injunction would be served,
'~he thought it better to complete the work.
ALDERMAN CANE'S PROTEST..
This brought Alderman Cam TO his feet.
He stated that he was opposed to the double
tracking of the squares by any railroad
The City and Suburban bad refused
to bargain with the city when the city pro-
posed opening streets through its property
and yet the road was paying nothing TO the
city for the use OF the squares for its double
tracks.
"This resolution, said Alderman Cam,
fvs he Sab ~
authority to go through Theses squares was
rushed through council in a manner never
heard Of before. and hope it will never be
heard of again.
Alderman Carson replied, at has been
done, and Is past reconsideration"
NJ. A. O'Byrne, Esq. made q statement
In behalf Of the City and Suburban He
said it had undertaken to do the work under
the authority given by council. 1t was
not the intention of the road, in any way
20 offend any member Of the board.
THE MAYORS LITTER
At this point letter, written by Mayor
MoDonough to Capt. Johnston. was pro-
duced. 1t was simply a notification that
the mayor had learned that protest was TO
be made against the double tracking Of the
squares
Mayor McDonough said that he sent the
notice as a matter OF courtesy, as it would
small amount of money In event of the
protest being sustained by the council.
u didn't know said Capt. Johnston,
''whether the notice was under direction OF
the council or not, but it didn't cay we
should stop work. This double tracking is
only for the benefit OF patrons"
"Aud not for the benefit Of the road p'
asked Alderman Cam.
81 don't see why there should be any
attempt to shut of discussion regarding the
matter" said the alderman. "At the last
meeting of council | used every effort to
postpone the matter in order that the citi-
gems might have time to file a protest, but
the resolution was rushed through, and
am sure that as this is au
Informal meeting, and not having been
advertised in the newspapers. those who de-
sire to make protest did not know Of It,"
A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY.
The question OF the powers Of the meet
ing was raised and City Attorney Adams
stated that the meeting was a part of the
last meeting, which had bsen adjourned
subject to the call OF the mayor. In reply
60 a question from Alderman Mills no said
the council had the power to rescind its
action in the previous meeting
little three-cornered tilt between Mayor
McDonough A derman Harmon and Alder
man O'BTien followed. The mayor stated
that it had not been the custom since he has
been IN office for the mayor TO do the work
of the street and lane committee, which
brought forth a reply from Alderman Har-
mon that it was not the intention OF the
street and lane committee to shift the re-
sponsibflity to any one. 1t had been the
custom for the chairman Of the committee
70 locate street railroad lines, and such au-
thority had been given him by the commit
Zee.
Alderman O'Brien did not remember at
tending meeting OF the COMMITTEES viii CHI
had conferred such powers on the chair
man.
THE MAYORS SPEECH.
Mayor McDonough made little speech
after Alderman O'Brien sat down. II will
state here,n said he. II do not indorse the
double tracking of the squares. It does not
seem to be reasonable. 1t destroys the
beauty of the city, and it is the duty Of my
self as mayor, a duty which l owe to the
people of this city, that those squares be
preserved. and that no railway corporation
be given the authority to mar them In any
shape or form"
Alderman Cam Endorsed the mayors
sentiments and said he didn't propose to see
1t done If ne could prevent 1t.
Alderman Carson moved that the COM
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