The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-25
NOT IN ACCORD WITH FACTS.
A Charleston Statement on the sub
Treasury Attacked.

The members Of Sayannah's committee.
who appeared before the ways and means
committee Of the House Of Representa-
tives al Washington TO urge a favorable
report upon Congressman Testers bill.
providing for the establishment Of a sub
treasury at Savannah. are somewhat vex-
ed at some statements which appear in an
editorial in the Charleston News and
Courier which they say Is not exactly in
accordance with the facts.
The part OF the editorial especially re-
ferred 90 is as follows:
"a delegation Of business men from Sa-
Vaunah, headed by the mayor of that
thriving city. appeared before the ways
and means committee OF the House in
Washington on Monday in behalf Of the
bill which has been introduced by Con-
gresham Lester Of Savannah providing
Tor the establishment of a United States
sub-treasury at Savannah. Mayor Myers
Of savannah, acting as spokesman for the
savannah delegation. assured the COM
mittee that Charleston is in favor Of To-
eating the sub-treasury at Savannah, and
declared that all the cities in the Caro-
linas, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Ten
nessee were cooperating with Savannah
in this undertaking. A stranger would
have thought from the confidence with
which Mayor Myers spoke that he had
been specially deputized by Charleston TO
speak Tor her in behalf of Savannah. For
tunately for Charleston, the Hon. John
l.. McLaUrin of South Carolina is MEM
Der Of the committee on ways and means,
and was evidently disposed TO take the
statement Of Mayor Myers with good
deal of salt. Fortunately, also, for Charles
ton, Congressman Elliott Of the Charles
ton district was present when Mayor Ny
ers made his speech, and, though evident
ly entertained by the boldness of the
speakers statements, asked the commit
tee to defer action upon the Dill until
Charleston could be heard, not through
the eloquent mouth of Mayor Myers, but
by the lips of her proper representatives.
Mr.. McLaurin insisted upon the right Of
Charleston TO be heard
The News and Courier the members of
the Savannah delegation say, did not get
its facts exactly straight Mayor Myers
did not mention Charleston at all, he
states, except when asked by member
of the committee as to why the sub
treasury. formerly located at Charleston,
had been removed. Mayor Myers then re-
piled that he supposed it was on account
of lack of business. 1t was then that
some figures were introduced showing
that Savannah was doing the largest bus
mess OF any OF the South Atlantic ports
and among other things, long staple cot
ton was mentioned, it being shown that
Savannah last year received $1,000, out OF
the total crop of 1900 bales.
Il did not say or indicate in any way"
Mayor Myers said, that l represented
any of the adjacent states. or anybody
outside of Georgia. / did say, however
that it would benefit the adjacent states
and II VIII undoubtedly prove of great ad-
vantage TO them.
In view of the fact that some questions
have been asked on the subject, Mayor
Myers was asked to state just what ad-
Vantages sub-treasury would afford.
The great advantage" he said lis
especially in the fall of the year when the
country demands a diversity of small
currency such as silver and small bills
Now we have to send 10 Washington to
secure such currency, but by having a
sub-treasury centrally located in Savan-
nah, we could save three or four days
time in getting the money needed.
In the next place the country banks
would keep their balances here instead
Of in New York as is the case at pres
emit because they could get their remit
tances of cash required much quicker
than is possible at present.
Then again all the disbursements
made in Georgia and the adjoining states
could be drawn on the assistant treas
urer in Savannah and these checks
could be cashed here without any expense
TO the holder good deal of govern
ment money is disbursed in Georgia and
the adjoining states in this way, it be-
ing paid out for pensions. harbOr improve
ments and other expenses. the govern
ment depository here will only cash such
checks at par when presented by the
drawee in person, and exchange is charg-
ed If they are collected through another
bank or other representative.
Savannah is undoubtedly the place for
the establishment of a sub-treasury and
in addition to these advantages it would
give us a broader financial prestige
throughout the country"