The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-22
AsTREET ACROSS The PARADE.
WOULD HAVE To AGREE
TO 1T.

The Proposition 40 open Hall Street
Through the Park Extension-The
Course That would Have 40 he Pur-
sued Before IL Could BE Done.
How the Parade Ground Came 20
the Military.
II is likely 70 be some time before Hall
street is opened across the military pa
rade ground. even should the military con-
sent 10 such a proceeding.
The committee which called upon the
county commissioners Wednesday after
noon is only a subcommittee Of the gen
eral committee which has charge Of the
rife range. The subcommittee will re-
port TO the general committee and the lat
ter committee will II Il sees Mt, report
the matter to the various military organi-
cations. The military parade ground IS
one Of savannah's peculiar institutions
Many years ago. long before the war. the
United States government donated to the
military OF Savannah nineteen acres Of
ground south Of the old barracks Some
years after the city, desiring 70 secure pos
session OF the ground held by the military
companies, made a deal with them. trans
ferring the property now known as the
parade ground or park extension, to the
companies in exchange for the ground
donated to the military by the govern
ment, together with some other lots then
owned by the military.
The ground thus secured by the city was
just in rear OF the old jail on Hall street
and was afterwards known as the jail lots.
Inc commands which control the parade
ground are the Chatham Artillery. the
Georgia Hussars, the Savannah Volunteer
Guards, the Republican Blues and per-
haps one or two other commands To
make any deal for any portion OF the prop
erty II is necessary to secure the consent
Of all the commands interested.
Col. w. ". Gordon who was chairman
Of the committee which called upon the
county commissioners said yesterday that
II Is possible that the military may be
willing 10 give an easement or through
fare to the city for Hall street across the
north end of the parade ground. but IL is
not likely that they would make a COM
plete dedication Of the property for such
a purpose lest precedent might be estab-
lished for opening other streets across the
parade.
In the meantime It is probable that the
drainage committee Of the board of coun-
ty commissioners viii go ahead and drain
and clear up the rife range for the military
MIR. j. A. G. Carson, who is chairman of
the committee said as much. The matter
was referred to his committee with power
20 act and the question of opening up Hall
street was only made in the nature of
suggestion. There was no condition inn
posed by the county commissioners. Mr..
Carson said that II the city would agree
to asphalt Hall street across the parade
ground for a width of 100 feet it would be
a very good idea for the military to give
their consent TO opening the street. The
asphalt, he said. would afford the military
companies a splendid drilling ground In
wet weather when the parade ground
could not be used
Mayor Myers said that he was pleased
to see the commissioners so unanimous
and harmonious in their action for the
welfare of the city. Otherwise he had no
opinion TO express. Several years ago
when Mr.. w. p. Bailey was member
Of council he made an effort TO have Hall
street opened, but the other members of
the board tackled on so many amend
ments regarding other streets that the
matter was dropped without ever coming
to vote There is no doubt that the
opening of Hall street would prove a great
convenience. A person desiring to go di-
rectly across at Gwinnett street, say,
must drive all the way around either by
the north or the south side which re-
qures some time and is something of
a vexation to people who are in haste. 1t
will take some time to finally decide upon
the matter. The queer point about II Is
that the county commissioners have taken
the initiative while it is with the city
that the military must deal IL anything
is TO be done in the matter.