The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-14

the period in which they have been IN Of
flee with the real estate of the city of Sa-
vannah and it's values, so as to be ready
to go on with a new assessment as soon
as ordered by the city council.
(bl AS to the board of police commits
sioners: This is composed of three of the
most prominent business men in Savan-
nah, who have given their time faithfully
to the reorganization of the police force
and to the administration of the affairs
of that department, watching carefully all
of the purchases and expenditures, with no
salary attached to the office. 1t is beyond
question that they have improved the NOR
al and efficiency of the police force, and
with the same amount of money, have in
creased the number of policemen in the
city of Savannah.
(c) As to the Board of Water Commits
sioners: This department has been hand
led with eminent success by three COM
missioners without pay, with the result
that the record of the present admins
tration in 1895, in the water department,
has been exceeded in 1896, in the amount
of money saved to the city of Savannah,
with equal work done in the way of in
crease in water mains and other efficient
service, the putting in of an electric plant
owned by the city at the water works, and
other betterments of the department of
large value; this department showing for
1895 and 1896 combined, compared with the
years 1898 and 1894, that in the two last
named years. the expenses Of the depart
ment exceeded the budget by SS,906,43, while
in the years 1895 and 1896, the expenses of
the department were less than the budget
by $13,125.6l, making a difference in favor
of 1895 and 1896 against 1893 and 1894, of
$22, 032.04. In addition to which, they have
increased the revenues of the city from
the use of water, without any increase in
rates, so that the total result for the years
1895 and 1896 to the benefit Of the city Of
Savannah over the years 1893 and 1894
amounts to the very large sum of $S1, ass. CT.
This has been brought about in large meas
ure, just as in the fire department and in
the police department, by close applica-
ton and good business management
cd AS to the Board of Fire Commits
sioners: Starting out in 1896, with bud
get of the usual amount, this board, COM
posed of three gentlemen, without pay, by
close business attention to the
needs of the department, have
brought the apparatus and the
physical fire department of the city of Sa-
vannah up to a very high standard of ex-
! cellence 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 $1,000 and
5000 for the current year, out of the usual
budget allowed them at the beginning Of
| the year.
(e). AS to the Commissioner of Pubic
| 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 gives him the
power to appoint and remove subefdi-
mates, so as to get first class service. He
has fearlessly and justly performed his
duty in this regard, and the results
speak for themselves, so that while the
figures are not entirely made up, II is GER
tain that after deducting the expenses OF
his salary and that of his clerk, together
with his Office expenses, there has been a
saving of at least $4,000 to the city of Sa-
vannah, in the departments managed by
him, under the direction of the city coun-
ell, during the year 1896.
Therefore, on account of the manifest
excellence of the laws, which have crea'
ted the commissions above narned, anc
the large pecuniary results flowing to tbs
city of Savannah in the first year Of theii
existence, 1t is submitted to the goot
sense and sound judgment of the sena
tors, and members Of the House of Rep
resentatives, of the general assembly
that the attempt on the part of the rep
resentatives of Chatham county TO repea
these laws will work serious damage t.
the city of Savannah, and the mayor ant
aldermen of the city of Savannah, il
council assembled, hereby protest agains
such repeal, and it is: Y.
Resolved, by said mayor and aldermen
in council assembled, that this protest i
hereby directed to be transmitted to tn
senator from the First district, and to tn
representatives from Chatham county b.
a certified copy hereof, and with the re
quest that they use all proper means to de
feat the passage of said repeating laws.
1t is further resolved, in this connection
that the mayor of the city of Savannah /
requested to appear before the general as
sembly as chairman of a committee from
this body, to be appointed by him of no
less than two members besides himself, L
present in detail the cause Of the city o
Savannah, and to use all means possibl
to defeat the passage of such unwise leg
islation.
Unanimously adopted.
Council took recess subject to the cal
of the mayor.
AN. EfANUcY,