The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-25
CENTRAL WILL HAVE TO PAY.
THE CITY DECLINES TO REMIT THE
INTEREST on BACK TAXES.


Board-The Exemption of Indus
tries From Taxation Discussed.
The Committee on Naval Reserve
Appropriation Granted More Time.
MIR. Guerard's Kick ON Water Me-
tcrs.
The city council has declined to grant
the request Of the Central of Georgia Rail
way Company for the remission of the in
terest upon back taxes, due the city for
/ five years, from 1891 to 1895.
The committee OF the whole or caucus
held a lengthy session previous to the
meeting of council last night and the tax
question was one of the matters which oc-
cupied its attention. The committee later
on reported adversely upon the petition,
and the report was unanimously adopted
The amount of back taxes due by the
Central is $23, $50 80 without interest which
will increase the amount by something
over $4,000. The action of the county COM
missioners in declining to remit the inter
est may or may not have been regarded
as precedent by the city.
The charges of Samuel Samson against
DR.. A. A. Morrison, one of the city physi-
clans, alleging an assault upon his daugh-
ter, Esther Samson were referred to the
sanitary board with instructions to inves-
tigate and report to the committee of the
whole as early as possible.
BY resolution of council lots 1910 and 1896
Laurel Grove cemetery, on Jessamine ave
nue., were granted to the Confederate Vet
Grams Association, to be used by it for the
interment of deceased veterans, who die
unpossessed of sufficient means to pay for
their interment elsewhere. The lots are
not to be sod or used for any other pur-
pose by the association.
BY resolution the donation of land
for opening Twelfth street, between Flor
ence street and Ogeechee road, was ac-
cepted and the public works commission
er and city engineer are directed, as soon
as the papers are signed, to open and
grade the street between the points nam
ed.
Mr. ]. G. Cobb's petition to be relieved
from taxation for three years on an edge
tool factory and for permission to erect
an edge tool factory was reported fav-
orably by the committee on fire and
finance.
Mayor Meldrim stated that the city had
no power to exempt any property from
taxation. Alderman Hamilton said he
attorney gave the opinion that under the
law the city has not the power. An eff
fort had been made by the city to Sc
cure the right to make such exemptions
from the legislature previous to the pres
ent one. but the bill failed to pass.
The report was therefore amended, the
petition for relief from taxation being re-
ported upon adversely.
Alderman owens ordinance forbidding
the putting in of pan water closets was
read a second time and adopted. The or
dinance provides a penalty not exceed
ing 500 fine or thirty days imprisonment,
or both, for violation of its provisions, and
the removal of any pan closet so put
in at the expense of the owner
Alderman Guckenheimer introduced an
ordinance providing for the sale of con-
demned live stock belonging to the city at
private sale under the direction of the
street and lane committee. The ordinance
was read a second time by unanimous con
sent and was adopted
The Savannah Guano Company petit
toned for permission to erect an orna-
mental structure of wood and iron for the
protection Of animals on the north side of
Bay street at the foot of Abercorn.
The special committee to which the petit
ton of Lieut. II. S. Colding, commanding
the Savannah Naval Reserve that his COM
mand be included in the police reserve APP
preparation by council reported, request
ing further time. The request was grant
ed
Lieut.. Coldng petiuoned for permission
to drive a few fender piles at the old barge
office at the foot of West Broad street.
new used as a boat house by the naval re-
serve. The petition was referred to the
committee on harbor and wharves
The petition of Mrs. Anna McStay for
an increase in allowance made her by the
city was referred to the joint committee
of fire and finance.
Mrs. Mary A. Wiehrs petitoned that she
be allowed a pension of $40 per month.
Mrs. Wiehrs is the widow of Fireman
Wiehrs, who was killed several years ago
and receives pension of IS a month from
the city.
The committee of the whole reported
adversely on the petition of Mrs. Nc
Leod for an appropriation for the sup
port of the Louisa Porter home, there be-
ing no funds from which to make such
an appropriation.
Bond, Harrison & Co were allowed $40
for damages resulting from one of their
carts falling into an old dry well on TAFT
nall street.
Mr.. John Lynchs petition for remunera-
ton for damage to a delivery wagon by
collision with a fire engine was reported
upon adversely. there being no relief for
damage by a fire engine.
A communication was received from
Lieut. J. Ferris Cam, secretary of the Sa-
vannah Volunteer Guards battalion,
thanking the city for its recognition of the
corps in the appropriation to the military
of the city through he police reserve
fund.
Mr.. r. ID. Guerard petitioned for the re-
moval of four water meters attached to
houses owned by him on Hall street. Mr..
Guerard objects to water meters because
they have increased the amount of water
rent for these houses. He made a lengthy
argument against high water rates. The
petition was referred to the water COM
mittee with instructions to confer with the
water commission.
1T was expected that the committee of
the whole would report an ordinance fix
ing a license for the business OF retailing
water to vessels on the river and regulat-
ing the rates at which water should be
soid. Such an ordinance was under dis
cusslon in the committee and Chairman
Dixon of the water commission was before
the committee for the purpose Of giving
his views on the subject. Both Mayor Mel
drim and Chairman Dixon have expressed
themselves as favorable to such an ordi-
nance. and the probabilities are that the
Ipfra1npn1 M ha