The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-09-21
SAYS THEY ARE NOT TRUE.
The Mayors Reply to The Citizens
Sanitary Associations Reports.

The Statements in Regard to the Con-
dition Of the Lowlands, He Says,
are Gross Exaggerations-Sup
tendent Carmiehael's Report Of the
Work on the Springfield Planta-
tion-He Uses Some Strong Lam
Ruage.
The mayor is stirred up over the criti-
cism Of the city authorities by the Citi-
gems Sanitary Association. charging in
ertness in dealing with the condition Of
the low-lands around the city, caused by
the storm, and the subsequent heavy
rains.
The mayor was asked yesterday what
he had to say about the public health
committees report and the critiscism Of
the authorities.
''Those statements are grossly exag-
gerated and untrue, " said the mayor, Il
have kept closely posted on the work
that has been done upon the lowlands
around the city since the storm and l
know there has been nothing Of inertness
and ineiiciency, either upon the part of
the city officials or upon that of its en-
ployes l have not been able Of course TO
make a personal inspection of the work
every day myself, but re-
ports are made to me regularly
from the engineering department Of the
progress of the work. As an evidence OF
what has been done by this department
have had Col. Vim, the city engineer,
furnish me with a report OF the work
that has been done upon Springfield
plantation and the results, which you are
at liberty to publish.
COL. WINS LETTER.
The report was made to Col. Vim by
Superintendent Carmichael of the drain
age department. 1t is accompanied by
the following letter from Col. Vim:
once City Engineer. Sept. 20. 1s93.-Hon.
John j. McDonough. Mayor: Sir-I have the
honor to submit for your consideration the
accompanying report from Mr.. CarmlchaeI
superintendent drainage in reference to
Springfield plantation. Reports OF drainage
work now being done in other portions OF the
city and on Hutchinson S Island will follow
at the earliest practicable moment.
w. J. VIM,
City Engineer.
The report is as follows;
CITY of savannah Once City Engineer,
Sept 20 l893-Col. w. j. VIM, City Engineer:
Dear Sir-In reference to the condition OF
Springfield plantation l beg 10 make the fol
lowing report. Up to the evening OF the l2tn
of August the condition was good, l believe
admitted to be as good as 1t ever was. was
absent about two weeks arriving in SaVan-
nah 7 p. N. the night OF the storm aug ~.
At 6 q. m. O'Clock Of the 18th Of August l gave
orders to the foreman on the east to re
port damage by 20 a. N. At d. n. gave or
der5 10 the foreman on the west 10 40 the
same. The damage on the east was reported
to be very heavy. On the west the report was !
damage nothing, W but an immense quantity
Of water to be gotten rid Of A force OF hands |
on the west las many as could be utlllzed) was |
used in keeping the bitches clear as far as
could be seen and the trunk shutters doomed |
of. Men were employed at night at double |
pay, for this purpose. As the water receded |
and debris in the bitches showed itself |
by ripples in the water, the OBJ |
stacles were removed, and to do this |
the force was increased on the 30th Of August, |
10 % hands.
THE FORCE DIVIDED.
This force was divided on the 3lst and a
new ditch was cut across Bacon and Sons pri-
waite road and on the lands of the Central
railroad, west of the Central railroad tracks,
the old ditch being completely filled up.
Sept. break was discovered by me IN the
Oeeechee canal near Gay S lock. which had not
been reported. It was 20 feet wide and about
eject deep which let quantities of water into
Springfield al high TIDE. This break
Wa was stoned stoned by tna a On ine on
one i2ndred and seventy-two bar.
rels OF resin were hauled out of the
HOgg sewer under the two spirit sheds Of The
Central railroad on the 4th and 9Th inst, and
by the 9Th inst. Spriu held plantation was
clear OF all storm water the rains OF the 18th
and sth inst. washing il out and leaving it in
good sanitary condition.
THE BANKS CUT.
The heavy rains OF 43j inches of the 9th
sent volumes of water down She Ogeechee
canal the bank across the canal. placed there
by the Central railroad or by the Canal com
panY. hayin been cut Claudestl timely by par
ties whom have good reason 70 suspect, in
conjunction with spring tides and easteriy
winds besides a 2tfoot freshet coming down
from Augusta helping 20 swell the volume OF
water In the river ana into the Ogeechee
canal there IL no means Of shutting the tides
out OF this canal poured the water over the
canal bank i0r q distance of 800 to 335 feet
many inches deep ana into Springfield planta-
ton. IN connection eth this the heavy fan
OF water made a break in the back
dam at MINIS swamp which also
added TO the food. This extraordinary pres
sure caused the conduit under the Ogeechee
canal 90 part OF the Iiogg seWeT) 10 burst up.
consequently every high tide poured tons Of
water INTO Springfield. This added to the
immense volume OF water from causes al
ready named, had 70 make its escape through
the A0gg sewer, the only means Of escape for
100 70 200 acres. comprising that portion Of
Springfield plantation.
No GARGER FORCE NEEDED.
The number Of hands now employed on
Springfield plantation is forty-eight
casion required 70 say that
larger force OF hands would have rid spring
ucl0 OF the water from TINS heavy fG-L OF rain
under all the drawbacks already named is
only the lom.asJ from a blatant braggcr
whose forte is to make extraordinary state
mems regardless Of the facts. There is but
one outlet for the water on Springfield plan
t3tlcn-the hogg sewer as it is lower than
Mus rove creek. the Ogeechee canal and the
SCreycu sWur.
As Won IRE aware the system OF drainaee Of
Spfln5leld plantation is not al that is 10 be
desired and the HugZ sewer has its defects
serious ones, and ii viii take time'and much
money 20 change ana improve the system, but
you VIII @ serve from the facts set forth here
IN that every effort that could e made was
promptly and successfully TT ade to rid the
Springfield plantation Of the water thrust
upon 1t so suddenly and the results accom-
pushed were all that could oC accomplished
by anyone. Springfield plantation is now in
good condition, Respectfully submitted
W.P. CARMICHAEL.
Superintendent Of Drainage.
The mayor proposes to have reports
made Of the work il other sections, in or
der that the Enblic may be informed of
what has been done to improve the condi-
ton Of the lOw-lands around the city
oGLETHoRPEs AT THE TARGET.
Private