The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-24

prosecuted and the street was placed in
its present condition
2. In regard to the annex to Colonial
park The public health imperatively de-
manded that the debris from the old build
ings and stables should be removed and
some attempt be made to bring this add
ton to the park in harmony with the
other part, so this was done and an addl-
tional expense, not provided for, was in
CURED.
3. When the commission approached the
work of improving Forsyth park it grew
upon them, and many details were neces-
sary to be attended to which were not an
ticipated in the beginning. 1t was abso-
lutely necessary to remodel and relay the
walks, and it was equally necessary to
make these walks uniform So when the
proper material was selected the walk
around the park was made to conform in
material and in looks to the walks
traversing the interior of the park 1t
would have been objectionable for the
commission to have made new modern
walks inside the fence line and to have
left the old disreputable walks outside the
fence line: so the broad, delightful walk
was made as it now appears, and another
expense, not provided for, was incurred.
In various other matters the commission
has not stood on the letter of its duties
and its jurisdiction, but it has extended its
helping hand when necessary to
the soldiers in their parade
ground, the women in their
noble labors in memory of the confeder
ate dead, the aged widows in their homes
and the orphans in their asylums.
In departing from the strict interpreta-
ton of their duties, the commission has
had but one motiVe-to benefit the COM
munity, the whole community, without re-
gard to race, creed, color or condition, and,
for a moment that they would have not
only the sympathy of the city government,
but their hearty cooperation. 1t seems,
as a matter of fact, that in this particular
the commission ''reckoned without their
host" We think that we had a right to
expect the assistance of the mayor and
the cc-ncil in these matters. Does any
one doubt If the commission had declined
to enter upon the extraordinary work de-
tailed above until council had made the
appropriation, that the appropriation
would have come? Why, then, decline it
when the work has been done, thoroughly
and to the satisfaction of the people? How
could the commission doubt that the may
or and council would sustain them when
the mayor himself. as a member of the
legislature, assisted by the leaders of the
party who elected him and his council,
procured the enactment of a law charging
the powers and the jurisdiction of the
park and tree commission? Was it rea-
sonable to suppose that, after the enact
ment of this law, and when in power he
and they would curtail the
power of the commission? So much
in extenuation of the mistake the COM
mission made in not refusing to do neces-
sary work until the appropriation for such
work had been actually made. The pracs
teal effect has been for the good of the
community, and although no appropria-
ton has been made up to this time for
no bac bna do
well done-and the city is the gamer II
the commissioners are the losers In
this view of the case the commissioners
take refuge. 1t is and has been a mat
ter of regret to the commission that his
honor, the mayor, although ex-officio
member Of the commission, and having
been formally invited in the beginning
of his term of office, has never met with
the commission, although they have had
regular weekly meetings at the city ex-
change. Possibly his advice and counsel
would have materially aided the commits
sion in It's work.
We desire 20 present 10 you a resume Of
the work accomplished by us, and to call
your attention to the present appearance
Of the city confirming our Statement.
1. The commission has changed the old
South Broad street cemetery from a nui-
sance, and an eye-sore, a blot upon our
fair city-into a quaint, attractive little
park with broad cemented walks bordered
with luxuriant grass and fresh green
shrubbery, relieved with glowing bits Of
flower color. making II now a place as
interesting TO our visitors and pleasing
TO our women and children, as II was
before noxious and disgusting TO the one
and forbdding TO the others.
?. IL has swept out Of sight, forever
we hope, the dirty hiding places Of OBJ
scenity which dishgured the face OF our
principal park: obliterated the rough. tor
tuous paths that were as painful to the
eye In their dead white glare as they were
10 the feet IN their pebbly rocklness; made
broad, regular walks, uniform IN design,
grateful 10 the eye and pleasant to the
feet; filled up the low miasmatic hollows.
cleaned out the sewers that we're reeking
with disease, removed the horrid pumps
that poured into our chidren's mouths
the germs OF disease fresh from the seep-
ings OF water closets and decaying vogeta-
BILE matter, and In their places we have
not only given fresh. pure flowing arte-
Sian water, but have covered the park
with MIGRANTS 10 ensure water Ia the fu-
ture for all the trees and plants and
grass that may need watering. In place
Of the hideous rocky mounds with their
struggling vines and their sickly solitary
roses. and the sandy ground swept clean
30 as 70 reveal only poverty Of bare
ness with here and there the same old
red sage" and Indian shot that palled