The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-11
OFFICIAL.


ness transacted by the court which. the
mayor has been informed has grown to such
an extent as 10 make this court very neCes-
sary one TO the public. II is hard to under
stand, however. why the city of savannah
should be compelled TO pay any expenses OF
the court the same being county court. and
not IN any way connected with the city gov
eminent The cases sent to this court from
the police court are for offenses against the
state. and the offenders are committed In the
same manner as such offenders are committed
from the courts OF the different magistrates
about the city.
The city has never been required 10 pay
anything toward the expenses OF the supe-
rlor court although cases are often sent from
the police court to be tried in said court. IL
Is true tnat the sheriff and clerk Of the city
court are elected by council, but as they are
not in any way connected with the city and
in the performance of their duties not under
the orders Of the mayor nor under the control
OF the city government. their services and the
services performed by the other attaches are
not rendered in the interest of the city as a
corporation, and 1t does not seem proper that
the city should be encountered with the pay
ment Tor services OF officers and coustables
expenses Tor meals for luries, stationery, pub
fishing of jury presenments etc, etc, at
Ia ned 10 or growing out of this court
QUARANTINE.
The wharves and structures at quarantine
station were severely injured by the storm OF
Aug 90 and considerable repairs had TO be
made to render the wharves available for the
business OF the station. For expedition pro
per service and commensurate advantages
To the commerce OF our port, new disinfect-
ant plant mas been built but UP to this time
has not been accepted by the city, owing to a
misunderstanding between the contrac-
tor and the city authorities as TO
certain work required to be done by
the contract. 1t is to be hoped
that this matter Will be adjusted without de-
lay and the plant brought into service. The
present quarantine station encroaches upon
the harbor lines as laid out by the Secretary
OF War in 1890, and there is some talk of the
city being required to set the works back
from said line. Before proceeding further
with contemplated improvements to secure
increased wharf facilities, some permission
will have 10 be obtained from the United
states government to locate said improve
ments' which could be rendered of temper
airy character and of easy removal II the lat
ter should become necessary.
DRY CULTURE.
The storm of Aug. 90 1898, played havoc
with our drainage. Hutchinson's is
land was deluged, Springfield planta-
ton and the eastern part of the city over
flowed. bitches broken gates swept away,
and water held sway everywhere but be Ii
said to the credit Of the department that
with rapid steps the damage was repaired
lost ground recovered. and everything placed
In condition as early as could be done with
the means and facilities at hand and that
could be 1udlciously obtained and employed
The work of this department has been thor
ough, and eniciert service has been rendered
by those. connected with it. IL would however
enhance the work, and better results would
be obtained il the entire drainage of the
county including the city, we're placed under
one head. Labor could thus be utilized TO
more advantage, and IL is believed, with less
cost TO all concerned. The drainage of Chat
ham county is important to the city OF Savan-
nah, and one plan covering the drainage of
city and county should be under the control
OF the county commissioners. A special item
in the budget Of the cOuntys expenses should
provide for the entire cost and the amount
AnnTDnTlnfgH RI
ment OF the city could be utilized toward gen
eral improvements in the city which are de-
manded by progress, and must soon be taken
up and accomplished.
FIHE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department has been efficiently and
economically managed It's work speaks for
itself, and the chief of the department has
the confidence OF the city authorities and of
our people.
The report OF the chief fireman shows in
detail the work and expense Of the depart
ment together with statistics OF fire, losses,
etc, carefully prepared and Of easy refer
ence.
PARKS AND SQUARES AND STREETS AND
The parks and squares were very much
damaged by the storm OF August last. but
were promptly restored 10 their usual condi.
ton. They have been kept neat and continue
to be the Fairgrounds and health resorts of
children.
The streets and lanes have been kept clean
and in good condition, but owing to demands
upon the city, occasoned by improvements
previously made, not much was done during
the year toward new Improvements. 1t has
become apparent that the shells laid on JEFF
ferson street will not bear heavy travel, and
that something will soon have to be done to-
ward the improvement OF this street IL is
probable that this matter will be taken
up by the city without delay, and substan-
tial pavement laid, such as will meet all re-
quirements. The mayor earnestly urges
upon council the importance of laying such
pavements in the city as will give permanent
satisfaction and will last.
The asphalt pavements are comfortable and
desirable, but the amount to be expended for
the care OF same will soon occupy large
space in the budget Of yearly expenses, and
II Is well to hold this in mind II II Is contem-
plated TO lay more asphalt upon our streets.
POLICE
In the annual report for 1892, the mayor
took occasion to call attention TO the lack of
discipline in the conduct OF the police force.
A special committee was appointed by coun-
ell to investigate the matter, and the follow
ing report was made by the said committee :
THE mayor and the committee on police, TO
whom was referrd the resolution adopted by
council July 10, 1898 relative TO investigating
the conduct Of the police department, report
that the investigation OF said department has
been going on for some time, with the follow
ing results:
"The committee find that the military and
soldterly bearing and discipline Of the force
has been improved, but IL is not yet up TO the
standard that the committee hopes TO see 1t
al an early day.
The conduct Of the men and the respect
shown by them TO their officers have been much
improved. and during the year 1898 the quar-
tiers we're kept in cleanly condition"
The discipline Of the police force has been
improved, its conduct and management much
better and its efficiency increased thereby.
1hr Gamewell system continues to prove
satisfactory. and increased police protection
has been furnished the citizens by It's adop-
tion.
OPENING sTREETs-sOUTHERN LIMITS.
Something has been done toward opening
streets during the year and several rightso Of
way secured, but the high prices demanded
for rights OF way will, in the opinion OF the
mayor, eventually cause the city to stop pur-
favorable to the general tax payers. The
budget for 1894 provides for increased police
and ire protection, for the payment OF water
main already laid and for additional lights in
the southern portion Of the city.
WATER WORKS.
The new water works have been finished,
and a splendid supply OF water is now fur
ntshed. In former report the mayor has
already called attention TO the able work Of
the water committee having In charge the i'm
provements. and as a matter Of information
adds the following report OF Alderman Cam,
chairman which will be presented TO council.
Savannah Ga. Jan. z, 1894.-Hon. John J.
McDonouRh. Mayor OF Savannah Ca: Sir-I
beg to submit herewith a hnal report upon
the new water works The total cost Of the
works complete IS $40. 6G0.2l, this is exclusive
OF Interest on deferred payments and cost OF
widening Styles avenue. neither Of which do
] consider "A proper charge against the con
struction Of the works the hrst named item