The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-04
A Victory That Means Progress.


The battle in this country for the open
cultivation OF land has been won at last
Il has been a long and hard fought one.
extending over several years. Heretofore
the friends Of fencing farms were sue
cessfuL Yesterday the friends OF farm
ing open. or OF no fence" succeeded in
getting a comfortable majority.
This victory for no fence means a
great deal for this county. II marks the
beginning Of the development Of its agri-
cultural resources, which are great. the
improvement In the grade of cattle, be-
cause the farmers will not ind it profit
able 10 keep a poor stock. and last. but
not least, it makes it possible to carry
out and perfect the system Of drainage
intended FOR retaining lands and for
lettering the health conditions.
We expect 10 see this county a county
OF small and productive farms and good
roads within the next five years. instead
Of a county Of swamps. forests and bad
roads, as it now is, outside Of the city.
Much viii be added to taxable values and
TO the trade Of the city.
No doubt those who were beaten in yes
terday's contest feel sore, and will con-
tinue to feel so until they see the bene-
fetal results Of yesterdays work. The
time viii come, however, when they will
realize the mistake they made in ever OPP
posing the adoption of the no fence"
law. We say this confidently because
the unbroken testimony. from all the coun-
ties in this state that have adopted the
mo fence" law, is that the people could
not be induced TO 20 back TO the old sys-
TEN Of fencing in crops. They have found
it far more profitable and better from ev-
cry point Of view TO fence in cattle.
Therefore. II the fence people feel de-
feat now they can find some consolation
in the thought that the time is not dis
tant when they will be glad they were de-
feated. The law will 60 into effect six
months from the time the result of the
election is announced.
There is one thing in connection with
the election that is well worth noticing. 1t
is the small vote that was polled. 1t is
probable that the fence" people polled
nearly their whole strength. There were
about a thousand registered voters who
did not take the trouble to go to the polls
Most OF them, no doubt, would have cast
their ballots for mo fence" if they had
voted. They did not care which way the
election went. People like these are the
ones who prevent Savannah from becom-
ing as prosperous as she might be. They
are the ones mainly who complain that
there is more enterprise in other towns
than their own. They want TO know why
Savannah doesn't boom things as some
other towns they mention do. They ought
to know why They can get their an
swer from their own indifference to the
outcome of yesterdays election. Had it
not been for few enterprising and pub
lie spirited citizens the battle for prog
ress and improvement would not have
been won.
A few have TO do everything here that
is to be done for helping forward the city.
The croakers and do-nothings are so nu-
rnerous that they obstruct almost every
movement for lettering our material con-
ditions. Can not this state of affairs be
changed? Let us see If 1t cannot.