The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-09

and other efficient service, the putting in
or an electric plant owned by the city at
the water works, and other betterments of
the department of large value this de-
partment showing for 1895 and 1896 com
bined, compared with the years 1893 and
1884, that in the two last named years, the
expenses of the department exceeded the
budget by $8,9O6.43, while in the years 1895
and 1885, the expenses of the department
were less than the budget by $1312.61,
making a difference in favor of 1896 and
1896 against 1893 and 1894, of $50, O32. "a. In
addition to which, they have increased the
revenues of the city from the use of wa
ter, without any increase in rates, so that
the total result for the years 1895 and 1886
to the benefit of the city of Savannah over
the years 1898 and 1894 amounts to the very
large sum of $31 1887. This has been
brought about in large measure, Just as
IN the fire department and in the police
department, by close application and good
business management.
AS to the board of fire commissioners:
Starting out in 1886, with a budget of the
usual amount. this board, composed of
three gentlemen, without pay, by close
business attention to the needs of the de-
partment, have brought the apparatus and
the physical fire department of the city
of Savannah up to a very high standard of
excellence, spending thousands of dollars
for betterments, and yet in 1896, the said
board shows by its present report, that it
will save and be able to turn into the
treasury of the city of Savannah between
S,00o and $1,000 for the current year, out
of the usual budget allowed them at the
beginning of the year.
AS to the Commissioner of Public
Works: This official is entirely under the
control of the city council of Savannah.
The act creating this office combines sew
eral departments of the city work in
CHARGE of thiS official and piVac him q
power to appoint and remove subordi-
mates, so as to get first-class service.
He has fearlessly and justly performed
his duty in this regard and the result
speak for themselves, so that while the
figures are not entirely made up, it is
certain that after deducting the expenses
of his salary and that of his clerk, to-
gether with his office expenses there has
been a saving of at least $4,000 to the city
Of Savannah, in the departments managed
by him, under the direction Of the city
council, during the year 1896
Therefore, on account of the manifest
excellence of these laws, which have
created the commissions above named,
and the large pecuniary results flowing to
the city of Savannah in the first year of
their existence, it is submitted to the good
sense and sound judgment of the sem
ators and members of the House of Rep
resentatives of the general assembly, that
the attempt on the part of the representa-
tives of Chatham county to repeal these
laws will work serious damage to the
city of Savannah, and the mayor and al
dermen of the city of Savannah, in coun-
Gil assembled, hereby protest against
such repeal; and it is
Resolved, by the mayor and aldermen,
in council assembled, That this protest is
hereby directed to be transmitted to the
senator from the First district, and to
the representatives from Chatham county,
by a certified copy hereof, and with the
request that they use all proper means
to defeat the passage of said repeating
laws.
1t is further resolved, in this connection,
that the mayor of the city of Savannah is
requested to appear before the general
assembly as chairman of committee
from this body, to be appointed by him
of not less than two members besides him |
self, to present in detail the cause of the |
city of Savannah and to use all means
possible to defeat the passage of such
unwise legislation.
Alderman Tiedeman seconded the reso- |
lutions. and they were Immediately placed |
on their passage, and were passed unani- |
mously, without discussion.
Copies of the resolutions officially GER |
titled by the clerk of council, were for |
warded last night to Senator Geiger and
Representatives Meldrim, Duncan and Nc
will not appear before the House unless |
requested to do so, as the passage of the |
bills seems to have been practically agreed |
upon there but will await the appearance |
of the bills in the Senate
Mayor Myers will appoint to act with |
him on the committee Alderman Garrard, |
as the proposer of the resolutions, and one |
other member of the board.
Letters have been received by Mayor |
Myers from Senator Geiger and DIR. Dun
can, acknowledging the receipt of copies |
of the amendments to the police and park |
and tree commission acts, recommended by |
council. Maj. Meldrim being absent on |
committee work, the letters stated, action |
on the amendments was deferred to await |
his return when a conference will be held |
to decide on line of action. If not in
troduced in the House the amendments
will be introduced in the Senate by Sena-
tor Geiger.
The fight on the commission bills has
now become one of the most interesting of
the local political topics