The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-29


OF officers permit
The health and cemetery committee Of
council is charged with the responsible
ity OF the expenditures OF the entire
health department with all its branches.
This committee should be added 10 the
sanitary board. not simply by the ap-
pointment Of the chairman of the COM
mittee. but BY the appointment Of the
entire committee. with duties incumbent
upon them to carry out the action OF the
sanitary board. This would give TO the
city the benefit Of the business capacity
OF the committee and give to the latter
fun knowledge OF the necessity for and
the opportunity OF passing upon each de-
tai OF expense incurred in the enforce
ment OF health regulations. The officers
would then become directly responsible
10 the committee as representatives OF
council, for the performance OF duties as
to health measures in the same
manner as prevails with
regard to duties performed by officers OF
other departments Of the city. With quar-
antine, scavenger. o. +. NJ, and other
departments. adjuncts OF the health de-
partment, centralized under ...e health
ana cemetery committee, much saving in
cost OF operating same would follow
Much more practical service could be eX-
acted, and better sanitary work accom-
plished under the supervision of the
health department
The work of the drainage committee and
especially the chairman, is commended.
The mayor recommends that the Bilbo
and Perry street lane canals be fenced
TO prevent the cows from trampling the
sides and drinking the filthy water. He
favors the concentration OF the drainage
OF the city and county, under one head.
The city drainage. he says, should be I'M
der the same system as that Of the county
drainage and be operated by the county
authorities. An appropriation could be
made by the city for its pro rata of the
cost, he says, and under this arrangement
much expense could be saved the public,
and the work be more effectively done.
The careful consideration of the succeed
ing council to this mater is requested.
Mayor McDonough is Of the opinion that
the county should bear the entire burden
Of the city court. He says: The city
court still continues a cost to the city
although the city government derives no
benefit from the service performed there,
and for which 1t has to, pay. A law en-
acted by the state relieving the city from
the obligation of paying for any portion
of the service rendered at said court, and
Of the other expenses attached thereto,
now paid by the city, would be wise and
proper legislation.
The mayor commends the fire depart
ment highly The work of the depart
ment, he says, continues such as to re-
tain for its officers and members the
confidence of the citizens. The committee
on fire has been an efficient one. and the
good condition and discipline of the de-
partment has been greatly enhanced by
the hearty support given by the COM
mit.ee to the chief in his management
of this important branch Of the public
service.
Tba fo1fo,rf,.. i,toro-+fro ;,fo,,,, n IT,,
furnished by the city engineer is incorpor-
ated in the report as a matter Of general
interest:
The area of the incorporated limits
of the city of Savannah is FIVE and one
tenth square miles, and within its boun-
darfes are ninety-six and five-tenths lin
cal miles of streets and twenty lineal
miles of lanes. On these streets there
are three and seven-tenths hneal miles
of asphalt pavement nine and one-tenth
lineal miles of stone pavement and four
and one-tenth lineal miles of oyster shell
pavement. In the streets are laid thir-
teen miles of street railroads and sixteen
and seven-tenths lineal miles of sewers
constructed with 7S2 catch basins. The
area of the perks and squares is fifty
four and eight-tenths acres. The city is
at present lighted by 293 electric arc
lights, each light being of 600 standard
candle power"
The amount due the city for paving is as
follows:
Jefferson street-shelled ...........S Ta
Jefferson street-granite blocks. s,9l4 O5
Liberty street-asphalt ,422 OF
Bull street-asphalt .................. 9S9 IS
Total ............................ $2S 1853 46
For the above amounts there are execu-
tions in the hands of the city marshal ex-
cept for the Jefferson street paving.
,a tor
says, has been well managed. The re-
port recommends that the wells at the old
water works and also the river be connec-
ted by conduit with the new works in or
der that there may be a full supply of
water under amy circumstances.
Under the head of general remarks" the
mayor recommends that the city establish
poor fund to be placed with commit
tee of citizens chosen with reference to
their knowledge of the circumstances of
the unfortunate and their necessities, to
be dispensed by the committee for the tenn
porary relief of cases brought to its at
tention by the mayor or through other re-
liable sources.
The Improvement of the council room Is
strongly recommended in order that the
deliberations of the body may be given a
more dignified appearance and the mem
bers of the board saved the indignity and
Inconvenience of being crowded by spec
tators on the occasion of meetings of I'M
usual interest, especial reference being
had to elections. Mayor McDonough con-
cludes his report as follows:
The mayor takes occasion TO congratu-
late the aldermen on the results of their
labors in the interest of good government
and for the protection of the city's well
fare-and to thank them for the assistance
and encouragement he has met with at
their hands in the discharge of the duties
of his office.
The city officers have performed their
duties judiciously and promptly and the
experience of many of the heads of de-
partments by reason of long service has
proven of great value in the administra-
ton of public affairs. Faithful service
efficiency and proper attention to details
of the offices entrusted to them has been
regarded by the occupants as a sure way
to the confidence and support of the pub
lie and a consequent retention in their
positions. This result has obtained in the
government of our city for years and
with good effect, prompt attention to
business in a dignified and courteous man
ner on the part of the city officers being
a matter of general comment and of sat
isfaction to the public
The report was written prior to the re-